IMS Mastery
The Complete IBM IMS Course — Database and Transaction Manager
IBM IMS is one of the world's most proven hierarchical databases, powering banking, insurance, healthcare, and government systems for over 50 years. This course takes you from zero to production-ready — DL/I calls, DBD/PSB/PCB design, SSAs, Fast Path, MFS, and IMS TM.
IMS Foundations
4 modules
What is IMS? IBM Information Management System Introduction
History, purpose, and real-world use of IMS in banking, insurance, healthcare, and government mainframe environments.
Read article →IMS Architecture: Regions, Address Spaces, and Components
Deep dive into IMS control region, DLI region, BMP region, and how IMS manages databases and message queues on z/OS.
Read article →IMS vs DB2: When to Use Each on z/OS Mainframe
A practical comparison of IMS hierarchical databases and DB2 relational databases — strengths, limitations, and when each is the right choice.
Read article →IMS Hierarchical Data Model Explained with Examples
How IMS stores data in a tree-like parent-child hierarchy, root segments, dependent segments, and navigating hierarchical relationships.
Read article →IMS Database Design
5 modules
IMS DBD: Database Description Complete Guide
Writing and understanding IMS Database Description macros — DBDGEN, segment definitions, field definitions, and DBDLIB generation.
Read article →IMS Segments and Fields: Designing the Hierarchy
How to design IMS segment layouts, field definitions, key fields, sequence fields, and best practices for hierarchical data modelling.
Read article →IMS Access Methods: HSAM, HISAM, HDAM, HIDAM Explained
Complete guide to all four IMS access methods — sequential vs indexed vs direct, when to choose each, and performance implications.
Read article →IMS PSB and PCB: Program Specification Block Complete Guide
Defining Program Communication Blocks, sensitivity levels, processing options, PSBGEN, and how PCBs control database access in DL/I programs.
Read article →IMS Secondary Indexing: Complete Guide with Examples
How IMS secondary indexes work, XDFLD definition, index databases, pointer segments, and using secondary indexes for alternate access paths.
Read article →DL/I Programming
6 modules
IMS DL/I Calls: GU, GN, GNP Retrieval Commands
Master the three core IMS retrieval calls — Get Unique (GU), Get Next (GN), and Get Next within Parent (GNP) — with COBOL examples.
Read article →IMS DL/I ISRT, DLET, REPL: Modifying IMS Data
Insert, delete, and replace segments in an IMS database using ISRT, DLET, and REPL calls with complete COBOL programming examples.
Read article →IMS SSA: Segment Search Arguments Complete Guide
Writing unqualified and qualified SSAs, command codes, boolean operators, and how SSAs control segment selection in DL/I calls.
Read article →IMS COBOL Programming: Your First DL/I Program
Step-by-step guide to writing a COBOL program that uses DL/I calls — PCB mask, entry linkage, CALL DLI syntax, and status code handling.
Read article →IMS Qualified SSAs and Boolean Operations
Advanced SSA techniques — qualified SSAs with relational operators, multiple qualifications, boolean AND/OR, and nested SSA patterns.
Read article →IMS Cursor Positioning and Sequential Retrieval
How IMS maintains position in the database hierarchy, sequential retrieval with GN and GNP, and resetting position with GU calls.
Read article →IMS Transaction Manager
4 modules
IMS TM Architecture: Message Processing and MPPs
IMS Transaction Manager architecture — message queues, MPP regions, transaction routing, and how IMS TM handles online transactions.
Read article →IMS MFS: Message Format Service Complete Guide
Designing 3270 terminal screens with IMS MFS — MSG, FMT, DEV macros, MFSGEN, and using MFS to format input and output messages.
Read article →IMS BMP: Batch Message Processing Programs
Writing IMS BMP programs that access both IMS databases and message queues in a batch environment — use cases, JCL, and programming patterns.
Read article →IMS Fast Path: DEDBs and MSDBs Explained
IMS Fast Path for high-throughput applications — Data Entry Databases (DEDBs), Main Storage Databases (MSDBs), and Fast Path DL/I calls.
Read article →Administration and Career
3 modules
IMS Utilities and Recovery: Complete Operations Guide
Essential IMS utilities — DFSURGL0, DFSURUL0, database backup and recovery, image copy, reorganisation, and disaster recovery procedures.
Read article →IMS Performance Tuning and Monitoring
IMS performance analysis tools, buffer pool tuning, OSAM vs VSAM considerations, database reorganisation, and common bottleneck fixes.
Read article →50 IMS Interview Questions and Answers (2026)
Top 50 IMS interview questions covering architecture, DL/I programming, DBD/PSB/PCB, access methods, TM, and administration for mainframe roles.
Read article →What You'll Be Able to Do
After completing all 22 modules you will have practical skills that translate directly to enterprise IMS environments.
Write production DL/I programs in COBOL — GU, GN, GNP, ISRT, DLET, REPL calls with correct status code handling and PCB mask linkage.
Design IMS databases from scratch — DBDs, segment hierarchies, field definitions, HIDAM and HDAM access methods, and secondary indexes for alternate retrieval paths.
Build IMS Transaction Manager applications — MPP programs, MFS screen formats, IMS queues, and Batch Message Processing for mixed batch-online workloads.
Use IMS Fast Path for high-throughput workloads — DEDBs, MSDBs, and Fast Path DL/I calls used in the highest-volume financial transaction systems.
Administer and tune an IMS environment — image copies, database recovery, buffer pool tuning, and performance analysis for production operations.
Why Learn IMS in 2026?
IMS skills are rare, high-paying, and in growing demand as the talent pool contracts.
IMS specialists consistently earn above-average salaries due to the structural shortage of qualified developers in the market.
IMS has been running critical workloads since 1968. The installed base at major banks and insurers is not going anywhere.
More IMS developers are retiring than entering the field. New entrants who invest in IMS skills now face limited competition.
Who Is This Course For?
Designed for every stage of the mainframe development career
Beginners
No IMS experience? Start with IMS Foundations to understand what IMS is, how hierarchical databases work, and why IMS is still critical in enterprise systems.
Junior COBOL Developers
Already writing COBOL batch programs? Level up with DL/I calls, SSA patterns, DBD/PSB/PCB design, and robust status code handling in your IMS programs.
Senior Mainframe Engineers
Deepen expertise with IMS Fast Path, MFS screen design, BMP programming, performance tuning, and interview preparation for senior mainframe architecture roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before starting the course
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Start Learning IMS Today
IMS skills are among the rarest and highest-paid in mainframe development. Banks, insurers, and healthcare systems rely on IMS every day. Start Module 1 now — completely free.