You should be able to describe the fundamentals of data processing, including the function of operating systems, access methods, and job control language (JCL). Specifically, you should be familiar with the z/OS operating system or any of its predecessors. The authors of this book assume that most readers are data processing professionals.
You should also have access to the IMS Version 9 library because there are many references in this book to the IMS Version 9 manuals. These manuals are listed in the Bibliography. You can either read the IMS manuals online or download them from the Library page of the IMS Web site. Go to www.ibm.com/ims and click on the "Library" link in the navigation pane on the left side of the page.
