This page contains links to all of the blog posts covering IBM’s Master the Mainframe 2019 contest!
Part 1:
Part 2:
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #01
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #02
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #03
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #04
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #05
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #06
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #07
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #08
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #09
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #10
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #11
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #12
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #13
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #14
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Two – Challenge #15
Part 3:
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #01
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #02
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #03
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #04
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #05
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #06
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #07
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #08
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #09
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #10
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #11
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #12
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #13
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #14
- IBM MTM 2019: Part Three – Challenge #15
Final words:
Hi Kevin,
I was wondering did IBM change the design for Master the Mainframe 2020?
Because I believe they are putting challenges to level system.
Thanks!
Sincerly,
Mig
Hi Mig,
Yes, they now operate from a completely different website. Isn’t the level system just “Part 1-2-3” renamed? I believe the model is the same.
Kind regards,
-Kevin
Well so far I only completed Level 1.
Unlike like last years, I have less time to complete MTM.
I have busier schedule.
But I would like take be at least complete some of the challenges of part3.
It will be fun to complete the challenges together.
Thanks Kevin!
Sincerly,
Mig
Hi Kevin,
Is there any way that I can IMS DB/DC using this MTM setup?
Could you please suggest some alternate option if i can’t learn it through MTM?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Kevin, your blog was very useful to meet the challenges, congratulations
Can you help me?
My P2.OUTPUT looks like that:
_________ #01
_________ #02
_________ #04
_________ #05
_________ #06
_________ #07
_________ #08
_________ #09
_________ #10
_________ #11
_________ #12
_________ #13
_________ #14
_________ #15
_________ #3
How do I put it in order? ;(
Hi Kevin sir
I am not able find the proper way to fix the LOGLOOK.
isfsysid- changed to S0W1
Do any other fields need to change?
Kindly help me .
Nihar
Hi Nihar
I assume this is about challenge #14?
Did you perform any actions on the mainframe that day? Loglook checks the global system log and if you didn’t do anything yet, you won’t be in it.
Furthermore you need to change 2 variables correctly, the System ID and the search string. Please verify both these variables. These variables are located between and including line 000009 and 000018. I am prohibited from giving you a straight answer.
Link to challenge 14: https://kevindurant.be/2019/12/12/ibm-mtm-2019-part-three-challenge-14/
Kind regards,
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
can i reset everything i did to be able to redo it?
Hi Anonymous
All part 3 challenges are designed to start over. If you want to start all of part 3 over, then tso sub ‘zos.public.jcl(part3)’ which deletes all part 3 data sets and part 3 work previously completed. Source: http://mtm2019.mybluemix.net/part_three/part_three_ch01.html
I don’t think there’s an automated way to redo part 2. Either you can contact IBM to reset your progress manually, or you sign-up for the learners program.
Kind regards,
– Kevin
Good afternoon,
In challenge 7 of part 2 I am having the following error when trying to submit the jobname:
11.58.09 JOB03112 $HASP165 Z59886A ENDED AT SVSCJES2 – JCL ERROR CN(INTERNAL)
Because of this error, I am unable to complete challenge 7. What should I do?
Hello
That is not enough information to diagnose the issue. You have an error in your JCL and somewhere you’ll need to fix it. Please start over and try the challenge again from the beginning.
Kind regards,
– Kevin
hello,
I copy the code from the site and paste it and generate this erro.
From the start of challenge 7 or start from challenge 1 ?
Hello Kevin,
Thank a lot for your hard work, because this blog helped out a lot in the second half of part 2 and part 3.
I got the Part 3 badge yesterday.
The IBM direction should have better direction or rephrase them.
But once more, I say thank you for this blog, and other people who comment hints on how to tackle some of the challenges.
Hi Mig
Thanks for the kind words and also for letting me know you got the badge! It was very fun having you around and interacting with the other users!
I do agree that IBM should sometimes be more clear!
Kind regards,
– Kevin
I got the email this morning that I received the Part 3 badge! I really did “MVP” Minimal Viable product this year..
Thanks for the blog Kevin – it was fun!
Hi TRS80
Congrats! Thanks for letting me know! Also, thanks for helping some other users out on my website!
Kind regards,
– Kevin
Hello Kevin,
Thank you so much for your help.
I just received my badge from IBM for completing part 3.
Hi Anonymous!
It was my pleasure! Congratulations on getting the badge!
Kind regards,
– Kevin
YES!!! I did it…I just receive my email from IBM giving the good news. See email below. Kevin have you receive yours?
Congratulations! You’ve earned a digital credential from IBM
You’ve completed the criteria associated with earning a digital credential from the IBM Digital Badge program.
Master the Mainframe 2019 – Part 3
Issuer: IBM
Hi Rocky
Congratulations on getting the badge! I did indeed receive mine and will write one more post about it!
Thanks for staying around and letting me know!
-Kevin
Hi!
alert(1);
Hi! alert(2);
Hi!
Can anyone help me on challenge 14 part 3…i am getting errors like invalid jecl statement, misplaced dd statement and job has no steps eventhough i have done step by step of the instructions…
Hello,
you have some syntax errors maybe in this case.
Hi Anonymous
“Misplaced dd statement” means either the indentation is wrong or the statement does not belong there. “Invalid JCL statement” means you have syntax errors like Akos said.
I would advise you to re-do the challenge.
Kind regards,
– Kevin
Hello Kevin,
Do you have any idea where we can find the TSO logon’s?
There are some in the log. But when you filter there are no timestamps with it.
So that doesn’t seems very usefull
You can find tso logons through sdsf panel
Check ulog or syslog
Happy christmas
Hi my email is [email protected]. If anyone could help me challenge 15, I would gladly appreciate
Part 2 or Part 3?
part 3
Challenges 13 and 14… Done! Up the “Hillary Step” to Challenge 15!
Could you help me with 13?
it’s been 2 days I can’t figure out what am I doing wrong. =(
Hey man are you still stuck on 13 ?
I’m stuck on 14 now
With 13 everytime I execute the file
It just says
Data set still open
Even though the output is fine
Same have you made any progress on 14?
No,
I just don’t understand
How to do it.
My Part 3 Challenge 14 output is blank.
I’m not sure if I missed a step.
I don’t like IBM direction.
How did you do it
I do not understand their directions either.
Once you created the Loglook file in the Rexx directory.
Run the file and it should give you red text error.
Go to the SYSLOG because you need to gather information there.
You have to modify the LOGLOOK file.
LOL what do we need to modify ? I really don’t understand on this input that IBM want “message text where message text includes your id”
My question is the same.
Has anyone figured out what you need to modify in the loglook?
When are you going to upload the rest? I really enjoyed reading up to this point so far! 🙂
Hi Anonymous
I’m very busy with work and other IRL activites. I’m doing my best to squeeze in a blog whenever I can.
Kind regards,
-Kevin
Of course! I appreciate the time you put into this blog none the less 🙂
Alllllmost there! At this moment, I’m on Part 3, Challenge 13. Last year I made it to Challenge 15 but didn’t observe “Minimum Viable Product” and didn’t finish. This year I’m gonna finish!
MTM 2019 is going much faster for me than 2018 due to the familiarity that I gained with ISPF etc. over the last year. IBM i has a similar editor but there are differences that threw me (and some still do.)
As a teenager I *badly* wanted to be what I learned later is a SysProg but I didn’t know what one was, and the IBM’ers that I met didn’t really have an answer to “How can I get a job at IBM writing Operating Systems? I know Assembler!” Had only MTM existed back then…
And thanks for the blog Kevin, it has helped!! I got stuck on a couple spots and while I haven’t peeked at the spoilers, you had a tip like closing the print spool in one of the challenges that got me unstuck!
Hi TRS80
Thanks for the kind words! Also thanks for sharing you story, I do hope you get to finish this year its challenges. Please let me know when you get the part 3 badges!
Kind regards,
– Kevin
hello kevin, can you please give a sample syntax code for line contuniation statements
Hi Stanley
I’m not sure what you mean by this. Are you asking how to enter a new line inside an editor? If so, you can enter line command ‘i’ to enter a new line.
Kind regards,
-Kevin
Is this for the Assembler challenge to output a new message?
If so hint.. the literal can all go on the same line..
Hello Kevin,
I am struggling on challenge 13 when it says we need to include, “Number of active started tasks, number of active TSO users, and number of active batch jobs.” I was wondering if you could help me find where these numbers are located.
Thanks
Hi Anonymous
Unfortunately I’m not there yet. I haven’t checked out challenge 13 so I won’t be able to assist yet.
Kind regards,
– Kevin
Hello Kevin, I’m lost in challenge 13 from part 3. I don’t know how to write what they are asking me exactly.
Hi Jonathan
Challenge 13 is a bit flexible. They want you to generate a report using the REXX code given to you. But they don’t request a specific format, make it as you see fit. You need to include the following data in your report:
CPU percent busy for the system
High unreferenced interval count
Real storage available frame count
Number of active started tasks
Number of active TSO users
Number of active batch jobs
I haven’t done this challenge yet so I can’t explain more than this.
Kind regards,
– Kevin
Hey!
First off, thanks a lot for the Blog Kevin! It helps people a lot. And as for those who are concerned with people who use this blog to get credit easy – Their Loss!!!!
They want to get credit for something they never learnt? It will come back to bite them at some point trust me.
Coming to my question for you:
It was obvious from the # and ? symbols in the code that we need to provide those as that it the error message: Invalid credentials.
I changed it to have the right z##### and my password. But it still wont work.
Is there something else I need to fix? Or am I doing something else wrong?
Thanks,
PS: You mentioned working full time… is it in Mainframes? (Just curious)
Hi Anonymous
First of all, thanks for the kind words!
Are you talking about challenge #08? If so, changing the credentials and password should be just it. Is there any output log you could share?
Regarding your personal question, I’m currently a fulltime PHP and Node.js developer. Slowly transitioning to Python. As for mainframe jobs, I’m interested, but I’m hesitant to do a hobby as a job.
Kind regards,
-Kevin
TRS80 here –
I just started Challenge 13 and this is the point where the Challenge gets significantly harder! At present I’m digging around to try to find the info that they’re asking for which is a lot of what this challenge is about.
There are some hints in the Slack channel on challenge 13.
It’s going to take some time as I work full time as an IBM i developer. Some things are similar between i and z (EBCDIC, packed decimal, REXX although z/os REXX is significantly more powerful) , but the system stuff is totally different.
I made Challenge 13 harder than it is: Look at the documentation referred to in the challenge. It lays out how to find each of the items that are asked for.
So far what I got, is to comment on some of the message variable, while on uncomment some of the code. I believe I did it right, since it gave me Output for challenge 13. Where shows my ID, stamp date, Operating System…, and IBM Z Mainframe…
Hello, I’m stuck in Part 3 Challenge 5 where it says about JAVA in Unix, I dont understand what to do there, I’m doing the ssh z#####@192.86.32.91 command and trying to put my password in lowercase but it doesnt work.
Hi Alexander
What is the error you’re getting? Any screenshots?
Kind regards,
– Kevin
Hello, Kevin. I know that you haven’t done part 3 challenge #10 yet but I imagine that you may help me anyway.
What happens is that when I look at the JES spool the output expected is not there, I guess there is a specific command to make it appear. Would you have any ideas to help me? Thank you.
Hi Luiz
I believe the cause for it not to be there is because either you applied a filter or there is something wrong with your code. Sorry for not being able to help much, it’ll take a while for me to get to that challenge.
By navigation to it by using =sd ; st it shouldn’t use any filters. If you don’t see a certain expected DDNAME then there’s something wrong with the code. If you need more help then I would suggest asking in the MTM Slack channel.
Kind regards,
– Kevin
Thanks Kevin. I managed to fix the problem without seeing the JES spool but I really believe there is something wrong here =) the path =sd ; st is the one I am using to get to the list but the DDNAME they talk about in the challenge is not there. I’ll try the slack channel.
I ran into the same issue today.
To view the filters in SDSF you’ll need the command: SET DISPLAY
You can turn off the filters with the command: FIL OFF
Then you can change the filters if you want:
OWNER Z#####
PRE *
Hi, i’m in the #15 challenge, and i’m little lost…
All those templates they send to us in the ch15 data set, are just examples right?
if i use my code from #13, mix with #14, just changing what will be the output, it will be alright?
Hi Arildo Jose Assis,
I assume you’re talking about Challenge #15 from part 3? Then the templates they sent you are examples. You need to come up with something yourself, you can take my solution from last year as an example.
Kind regards,
– Kevin
When will you do part 3?
Hi Ruby
Because I work full time it will probably take a long time before I release the entire part 3. I can’t guarantee a timeframe for the releases.
Kind regards,
– Kevin
Hello Kevin,
thanks a lot for your work, that you make these tutorial series!