COBOL :: Essays Papers

COBOL In the summer of 1998, St Louis Public Schools ( SLPS ) chose to convert form it's IBM System/390 mainframe to a client server environment. Not only was the SLPS affected but the Public School Retirement System ( PSRS ) was also affected since they use their mainframe system. PSRS started looking for a solution for their processing requirements. They were debating on weather to obtain an existing package to replace their system If they did would the be able to convert it to support how they run their business, or would they have to change how they conduct business to match the new software. They were also confused as to what new equipment might have to be purchased since they currently were running on older standalone workstations without a server. The organization decided to purchase new workstations, a server, a high-speed networked laser printer and Windows/2000 workstation and server components. Due to the organizations small size they elected to hire two contract software engineers to assist in the conversion, as well as process year end systems. The company also had to select a programming language, they decided on COBOL, the SLPS had a free copy of Micro Focus Net Express COBOL called the University Edition. It is available for schools to utilize in a classroom situation. The software was reviewed, it was decided that it would be adequate for their needs. It had features necessary to satisfy the requirements. Net Express is a Windows based product that is extremely powerful. That mainframe COBOL code formed the basis of the conversion, The conversion consisted mostly of modifying select statements, CICS code, some program calls to mainframe support routines, 'compare' statements also had to be checked for sequence problems ensuring that a mainframe 'if' statements of 'equal to' or 'greater than' were still valid for an ASCII based environment. The company found Downloading software and data files from the mainframe relatively easy, they used a mainframe access program called â€Å"Extra!† Packed fields were unpacked on the mainframe, downloaded to the server, and repacked if necessary. After the conversion took place the next task was to conduct year-end processing. This involved many tasks for the organizations, including; closing out of last year's business, income tax, providing information to our retirees, allowing for Open Enrollment for various insurance plans, and providing data to our actuarial firm to assist in funding and benefit decisions.

Promote Child And Young Person Development Essay

1. Explain the factors that need to be taken into account when assessing development When assessing children and young people it has to be done sensitively and accurately. There are a number of factors to be taking in to account, such as confidentiality. If you want to carry out an observation on a child you have to have permission from a parent or guardian that who is responsible for that child. Most parents guardians are happy for you to observe there child although parent will not want other parent or other people to have no involvement such as reading reports as they don’t want them to know how their child’s development is getting on. By following the parents request you must not leave note books or files lying around for other parents or people to see as they want it to stay confidential. When storing confidential information it should be stored carefully and make sure when you are discussing a child that you are only doing it with other practitioners within the se tting. Also when assessing children their wishes and feelings should be taking into consideration. Children have rights just as much as adults, there will be times when it is not appropriate to observe children. For example if a child a child has become unsettled when doing an activity such as art work and they don’t like the paint. It is also when doing an observation it has to be written in a respectful manor. Ethnic, linguistic and cultural background needs to be taken into account because it is important that we assess the children’s development reliably. Sometimes the child’s behaviour, skill and interests are shown independently by the children because of their ethnic, linguistic or cultural background, for example a child may not take part in a story like the three little pigs because they see the pigs as dirty. As an observer may see this as the child not being interested in this book or drama. Bearing in mind that the linguistic background is particularly important because the child may not show these kind of skills because the words are not familiar. Also disability and specific requirement is where some children or young people with a disability needs to be taken into consideration when doing an observation. In schools this is accepted, for example you may have children  with dyslexia may need extra time when it comes to sitting test, while in a nursery children need one to one with an adult and may need to give one instruction at a time. If a practitioner does not understand the child’s disability this will lead to underestimating and child’s ability. All children and young people rely on you as a practitioner. There is no point in assessing a child’s development unless we do it so fairly accurately. Statements show that if you don’t do observations accurately it will harm the child’s development especially if it leads to the adults underestimating the child’s ability and progress. This means that we have to consider the reliability of the information we gather and also the limitation s of any observations methods that we may use. 1.2. Assess a child or young person’s development in the following areas: a. †¢ Physical b. †¢ Communication c. †¢ Intellectual/cognitive d. †¢ Social, emotional and behavioural e. †¢ Moral 3. Explain the selection of the assessment methods used 4. Develop a plan to meet the development needs of a child or young person in the work setting. Outcome 2 Be able to promote the development of children or young people 1. Implement the development plan for a child or young person according to own role and responsibilities, taking into account that development is holistic and interconnected 2. Evaluate and revise the development plan in the light of implementation 3. Explain the importance of a person centred and inclusive approach and give examples of how this is implemented in own work 4. Listen to children or young people and communicate in a way that encourages them to feel valued 5. Encourage children or young people to actively participate in decisions affecting their lives and the services they receive according to their age and abilities. Outcome 3 Be able to support the provision of environments and services that promote the development of children or young people 1. Explain the features of an environment or service that promotes the development of children and young people Outcome 4 Understand how working practices can impact on the development of children and young people 1.  Explain how own working practice can affect children and young people’s development 2. Explain how institutions, agencies and services can affect children and young people’s development Outcome 5 Be able to support children and young people’s positive behaviour 2. Evaluate different approaches to supporting positive behaviour Outcome 6 Be able to support children and young people experiencing transitions 1. Explain how to support children and young people experiencing different types of transitions

Ramadan

In the article â€Å"Young Saudis Reinvent Ramadan,† the author highlights some issues involved in the celebration of Ramadan, or the month meant for fasting. In most places, particularly in the rich country of Saudi, young and old turn night into day to be able to eat, watch and do other things, while spending the day sleeping. Even some services are available until dawn. These practices are highly contradictory to the real essence of Ramadan, which is to sacrifice by fasting during the day in order to atone for past sins and be reborn after the month is over. Sleeping during the day undermines the value of sacrifice since those who do this are free to indulge during the night. The government and its people have practiced Ramadan for a long time but the practice had been superficial, as pointed out by the author. Another issue that the author highlights is how many Saudis have taken a new look at the puritanical approach to Islam after the fateful 911 attack. Many Saudis have now realized that extremism does not necessarily mean you are doing things for God. The students and young people described in the article are modernist because they chose to return to the real essence of Islam, which is making God the center of everything. Modernism makes God the center of the universe and the ultimate authority. Modernism is also about making the religious practice adapt to the times. They used their belief to apply to the modern world by helping to alleviate even for a while the needs of the people around them. They did not eliminate God from the center, instead, they refocused and found new meaning. The article as a whole speaks of hope and better understanding spreading among the youths of Saudi. They saw the excesses of the population during Ramadan and want to take a lead in reviving the real spirit of fasting. By giving to the poor, the young Saudi persons hope that the rest of the population would follow and remain true to the spirit of Ramadan.

Hamlet’s Emotions in the First Soliloquy Essay

In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare creates a rich emotional fabric in Hamlet’s first soliloquy. From the first lines of the soliloquy, we can find such emotions as depression, disillusion, anger, and even the hatred and disgust for Hamlet’s mother and uncle. The first line in the soliloquy shows us depression: â€Å"O! that this too too solid flesh would melt,/Thaw and resolve itself into a dew† (Shakespeare 42). Hamlet’s depressive spirit is explained by that he is tired of life and wants to die. The reason for this is that all of the events, like King Hamlet’s death or Claudius’s marriage with Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, which happens with the Prince press on him. As for the being disillusion about the Queen, when she marries Claudius, Hamlet asks himself â€Å"why, she would hang on him,/As if increase of appetite had grown† (Shakespeare 42). Hamlet feels disillusioned about his mother because after two months when his father dea d, she married Claudius. In Hamlet’s opinion his mother betrayed his fathers love. Also Hamlet feels too angry with his uncle, so he compares Claudius with his father, who was â€Å"so excellent a king† and says about the new king â€Å"that was, to this,/Hyperion to a satyr† (Shakespeare 42). The young Prince can’t understand how his uncle can be a better king than his father. Hamlet is angry with Claudius because that â€Å"satyr† married his mother and called Hamlet his son, without asking his opinion or wish. Hamlet is not only angry with his uncle, but also he hates Claudius: â€Å"My father’s brother, †¦/within a month,/Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears/Had left the flushing in her galled eyes† (Shakespeare 44). Hamlet hates his uncle because Claudius seduced his mother. But the strongest emotion Hamlet has in my mind is disgust about his mother: â€Å"a beast, that wants discourse of reason† (Shakespeare 42). Young Hamlet thinks that his mother betrayed his father love while marrying Claudius. Also Prince thinks that his mother is like all other women, he thinks that she is a prostitute. In the first soliloquy Hamlet has a rich emotional fabric, which is made up from the strongest emotions that form Prince of Denmark’s character.

The Concept of Individuals Responsibility To other Members of Their Essay

The Concept of Individuals Responsibility To other Members of Their Community by Peter Singer - Essay Example By taking a look at the donations from such an angle these countries generosity can be said to take a drastic dive when compared to their other expenses. One could say that these governments care more about their transport system for example than they do about the millions of lives that they could affect with such money (Singer). However, in realistic terms especially from an economic point of view, it is necessary that a government invests in projects that will bring back financial returns in a bid to provide a better stable economy from which they can operate from. Without these investments, they would not be able to donate any money to the causes that they provide funding for. Taking a look at the stance brought about by Singer and the economic defense of such actions by the governments it can be said that two clear sides emerge from this argument with each supporting the opposing sides. A good strategy to determine whether Singer was right in his evaluation of an individualâ€⠄¢s responsibility to other members of their community as well as a government’s responsibility to society is by studying the underlying factors that would more or less govern the potential results of what certain actions may bring. This can be done by setting a choice of two potential paths that a society can take and the results that these two paths are most likely to yield. By doing this, it can be said that the path that leads to the best results will be the better option. Taking a look at the basis of the argument taken by Singer it can be said that from an overall perspective he has a good point and if his plan was to be placed perfectly into action there could be a high chance of success should everyone play their part. This is to say that the effect should take place from the grassroots and make its way up to the top echelons of government. This would mean that a regular individual would begin to take more interest in the plight of refugees and ensuring that they are doing everything in their power to improve their conditions. This would include donating more money to affiliated organizations, taking a political interest in the policies as well as changing their lifestyle to a more giving and generous one (Singer). The government on the other hand would divert more of their funds towards helping these causes and concentrate more on the wellbeing of these individuals rather than the other projects they have lined up (Singer). The government in this case would take the stance that the improvement of human life is more important than other issues. If this was to happen exactly as stated there could be a chance that causes such as the wellbeing of refugees will get the attention it deserves and as a result their plight may be significantly reduce as more people take action on the matter. However, this would need the support and co operation of all the people and bodies involved which would also include a somewhat drastic in some change in mindset wh ich is something that would not happen overnight. People would need to be willing to change their ways and adopt a giving policy that may have diminished over the years thanks to the promotion of capitalist values. The changes entailed could also bring about negative aspects as well as positive ones, which is something that should be taken into consideration. As much as helping others and ensuring tha

Film Final Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Film Final - Coursework Example The rise of the freelance filmmakers and independent production along with the increasing popularity of television also contributed to the decline of the Hollywood studio system which dominated the classical holly wood era (Axs Entertainment Movies 43). The birth of the television in1948 marked the progressive decline of the studio system. Hollywood could not compete. Something had to be done as quickly as possible. The executive producers in Hollywood then realized that rather than competing they could invest in television. The universal pictures was the first company to venture in television with the long running television show. Other followed suit (Axs Entertainment Movies 47). The end of the holly wood studio system had both its advantages and disadvantages. It was better because it opened the door or set the pace for independent cinemas which do not follow the genre qualification but instead focus on mixing styles and approaching subjects that Hollywood does not consider bankable. The end of the studio system was for worse because the thrill or magic of the studio is gone. Hollywood is no longer a concept in cinema, but just a location. Cinema arrived in Argentina soon after being launched in Paris. The country inhibited some of the world class pioneers in animation and scientific movies. However the true Argentinian industry started in 1933 with the establishment of sound film. The good times, when the Argentina movies were watched all over only lasted until the Early 1950s. Afterwards, the growth of television, the gradual closure of the big studio, the auteur cinema imposed other rules and stagnation of popular cinema (Vila 139). The emerging popularity of the United State Cinema, increased pressure from the Catholic Church and domineering censorship during the presidency of Peron limited the growth of the Film industry in

Management Strategies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management Strategies - Assignment Example This is because the opinions and the level of exposure to an industry vary with the individual. The study also elaborates how managers in other fields can fit in the management of unfamiliar fields by applying universally adapting strategies. Managers, therefore, emerge as resourceful personnel if they have a wide scope of experience rather than being centralized to one line of thinking. When Barnevick was chief executive officer at ABB, profitability was based on acquisition of firms as a means of diversity to enhance the competitiveness. The plan worked well for the firm noting the changes in profitability and the return on capital. The maxim on ‘thinking Global while acting local’ relieved massively on acquiring firms which had local impact in their respective regions. The products offered were standardized for the markets, hence global. This is evidenced by the fact that some were being exported to other areas such as Africa. While dealing with global products, the f irm was profitable. The down trend in ABB started after the change of management when Barnevick stepped down as CEO. The scenario explains the consequence of change in management in an organization. It expresses the need to hire leaders who can impart continuity in the operation. The close down of Combustion engineering was a case poor market choice. It expresses the need to research extensively before carrying out an investment. Though operating separately, firms under the same umbrella should be controlled by sound centralized structures. The competitiveness of ABB became widely challenged due to minimal bureaucracy. With a compact structure, signals of failure become detected at early stages facilitating counter action. After handing over to Lindahl, the profitability reduced to making losses due to different management styles. Lindahl, however, acted like an economist by consolidating the market to areas which offered a competitive strategy. The new CEO concentrated on using the Asian markets where costs of production were low. The case explores how managers implementing the same strategy can embrace different roles. Barnevick’s focus relied on firm acquisition while Lindahl focused on labor intensive manufacture. The new leadership strategy once again increased the profitability of the conglomerate. Lindahl’s successful leadership was not satisfactory since the position was handed over to another CEO, Jorgen Centermann, who held the position of the Automation business. Centermann’s strategy focused on customer segments. Centermann can be noted as a modern manager due to the indulgence in the use of internet in the business. The strategy introduced, however, drove the firm back to making losses rather than propel it forward. All the CEO’s above relied of the global standardization in order to enhance competitiveness. A totally different perspective came into being with the replacement of Centermann with Dormann. This CEO did not have knowledge of the electrical engineering field like the previous CEO’s. Within a short period, Dormann was able to uncover the deficiencies in the firm and set out to eliminate them. With the keen leadership, the board became aware of various investments done for the firm under the leadership of Barnevick and Lindahl. The firm unearthed interests vested in assets such as jets and armored limousines. They also discovered that pension schemes set up in the past for the two CEO’