Natural Language Commands

One of Zcrafter's most powerful features is its ability to understand natural language. You don't need to memorize complex syntax or commands - just ask questions in plain English.

How It Works

When you're in Interactive Mode, simply type your question or request in normal conversational English. Zcrafter uses advanced AI to understand your intent and provide relevant answers.

Example:

How do I fix a S0C7 error in COBOL?

Zcrafter will respond with a detailed explanation of S0C7 errors, common causes, and solutions.

Types of Questions You Can Ask

1. Explaining Errors

Ask about any mainframe error code or issue:

What is a S0C4 ABEND and how do I fix it?

Why did my JCL job fail with error IEF452I?

Explain what a SQL -803 error means

Response includes:

• What the error means
• Common causes
• Solutions
• Prevention tips

2. Understanding Code

Get explanations of what code does:

Explain what this COBOL program does

What does this JCL step accomplish?

Walk me through this DB2 query

Response includes:

• High-level overview
• Detailed explanation
• Input/output description
• Dependencies

3. Code Analysis

Ask Zcrafter to analyze your code:

Analyze this COBOL program for bugs

Review this JCL for potential issues

Check this PL/I code for performance problems

What Zcrafter analyzes:

• Syntax errors
• Logic bugs
• Performance issues
• Best practice violations

4. Optimization Advice

Get suggestions to improve performance:

How can I make this COBOL program faster?

Optimize this DB2 query for better performance

Reduce the runtime of this batch job

Suggestions include:

• Performance improvements
• Resource usage reduction
• Best practices

5. Debugging Help

Get help troubleshooting issues:

My COBOL program is getting wrong results, help me debug it

Why is my JCL job timing out?

This program worked yesterday but fails today, what could be wrong?

Debugging assistance:

• Root cause analysis
• Debugging steps
• Test suggestions

6. Learning and Education

Ask to learn mainframe concepts:

Explain how VSAM files work

What's the difference between QSAM and VSAM?

Teach me about CICS transactions

Educational responses:

• Clear explanations
• Examples
• Use cases
• Related concepts

7. Modernization Guidance

Get advice on modernizing legacy systems:

How can I modernize this batch COBOL program?

What's the best way to migrate from VSAM to DB2?

What modern patterns can replace this old code?

Modernization advice:

• Migration strategies
• Technology recommendations
• Step-by-step plans

8. Best Practices

Ask about mainframe development best practices:

What are COBOL coding best practices?

How should I structure my JCL for maintainability?

What's the right way to handle errors in COBOL?

Best practice guidance:

• Industry standards
• Common patterns
• What to avoid

Asking Effective Questions

Be Specific

Less effective:

Help with COBOL

More effective:

Help me understand why my COBOL program is getting a data exception error

Provide Context

Less effective:

Fix my code

More effective:

This COBOL payroll program should calculate overtime, but it's returning zero

Include Error Messages

Less effective:

My job failed

More effective:

My JCL job PAYROLL1 failed with error code S0C7

Break Down Complex Questions

Instead of:

Analyze my entire application and tell me everything wrong with it and how to fix it and modernize it

Try:

First, analyze this COBOL program for bugs
[After getting response]
Now suggest performance optimizations
[After getting response]
What modernization approaches would you recommend?

Multi-Turn Conversations

Zcrafter remembers your conversation within a session:

What is a S0C7 error?

[Zcrafter explains]

How do I prevent it?

[Zcrafter provides prevention tips]

Show me an example

[Zcrafter provides example]

Common Use Cases

For COBOL Developers

Explain this COBOL PERFORM statement

Why is my OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause failing?

How do I properly handle file status codes?

For JCL Developers

What does this DD statement do?

How do I pass parameters between JCL steps?

Explain COND codes in JCL

For Database Developers

Optimize this DB2 query

Explain RUNSTATS and why it matters

How do I create an efficient index?

For System Operators

How do I respond to message IEE094D?

What does WTOR mean?

How to cancel a hung job safely?

Common Patterns

Analysis Pattern

Analyze [description] for [bugs/performance/security/etc.]

Explanation Pattern

Explain [concept/error/process]
What is [term/technology]?
How does [feature/function] work?

Troubleshooting Pattern

Why is [problem happening]?
Fix [error/issue]
Debug [symptom]
[Something] is not working, help

Learning Pattern

Teach me [concept]
What's the difference between [A] and [B]?
Show me examples of [pattern/practice]

Improvement Pattern

Optimize [description]
Improve [aspect]
Make [program] faster/better/more efficient

Tips for Best Results

1. Start broad, then narrow down: Begin with general questions, then ask follow-ups for specifics
2. Provide context when relevant: Include relevant details about your environment
3. Ask one thing at a time: Better to ask 3 separate questions than 1 complex question
4. Use follow-up questions: Build on previous answers
5. Be patient: Complex analysis may take a moment

What Zcrafter Can Help With

Zcrafter can help you:

• Understand error messages and codes
• Analyze mainframe programs
• Learn mainframe concepts
• Debug issues
• Optimize performance
• Understand best practices
• Modernize legacy systems
• Troubleshoot problems

Next Steps

• Learn about Slash Commands for quick actions
• Check Troubleshooting if you encounter issues