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Welcome to the IBM Automatic Binary Optimizer for z/OS Trial Cloud Service

The IBM Automatic Binary Optimizer for z/OS (ABO) Trial Cloud Service allows you to see the performance benefits of running ABO-optimized programs in your environment without having to install the on-premise ABO trial version on your system. Upload your fully or partially bound program modules to the ABO Trial Cloud Service and ABO will automatically scan them and optimize the eligible COBOL programs. Additional performance features are available when you use the fully licensed version or the on-premise trial version of ABO.

Programs eligible for optimization

A program is eligible for input to ABO if all of the following conditions apply:

  • The program was generated by an eligible COBOL compiler.
  • All the language features are supported by ABO.
  • All optimization verification passes succeed.

After validating the input program, ABO processes it and produces a functionally equivalent executable program that is optimized to target the latest IBM Z mainframes.

Software and hardware requirements

The ABO optimized programs can be run on:

  • z/OS 2.3 to z/OS 3.1
  • IBM z14/z14 Model ZR1 to IBM z16

Steps overview

1. Identify modules

Using tools such as zBNA, you can identify peak usage times, identify top job-program pairs, identify the top CPU consuming modules, and then scan for COBOL CSECTs. It is recommended this step be completed before beginning the trial.

Video: Identifying modules for optimization

Recommended tools

zBNA | RMF | APA

2. Prepare datasets

To prepare the data sets to be optimized by the ABO Trial Cloud Service, convert the data sets into XMIT format and then TERSE them. You can then transfer the data sets to your preferred workstation.

3. Optimize modules

Using the ABO Trial Cloud Service interface, you can upload the TERSED data sets, scan them to identify eligible COBOL modules, and optimize the modules. Optimized modules are packaged as a ZIP file and can then be downloaded.

4. Transfer optimized data sets

After downloading the optimized ZIP file package from the ABO Trial Cloud Service, transfer the data sets back to your z/OS machine for performance testing and evaluation.

5. Test module performance

To measure the performance benefits from ABO, compare the CPU time taken using the original modules and the time taken using the ABO optimized modules.