CICS TS - Preprocessor, Conversations and File Control

Duration

3 to 4 hours

Overview

Audience

Programmers who require knowledge about application programming in the CICS environment and the Command Level Programming Interface.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of basic coding in COBOL, PL/1, or Assembler.

Objectives

After completing this course, the student will be able to:
• Identify CICS command syntax particularly in COBOL and PL/I programs
• Recognize the facilities available through the CICS Command Level Programming Interface to efficiently achieve all the standard online terminal network functions
• Identify how CICS functions are developed by using pseudo-conversational programming techniques
• Identify how CICS access Direct and Sequential Files

Course Content

The Command Level Preprocessor

The Function of the Translator/Preprocessor
Syntax of CICS Commands
CICS Commands in COBOL
CICS Commands in PL/1
The EXEC Interface Block in Detail

Terminal Conversations

Processing Modes

Non-Conversational
Conversational
Pseudo-Conversational

Pseudo-Conversational Techniques
Disadvantages of Pseudo-Conversational Design
Overcoming the Disadvantages

File Control Commands - Direct Access

Services Provided by CICS File Control
Types of Record Access
Accessing Keyed Files, particularly VSAM
READ, WRITE, REWRITE, DELETE and UNLOCK commands

File Control Commands - Sequential Access

Browsing Commands
STARTBR, READNEXT, READPREV, ENDBR and RESETBR commands