CICS Transaction Server Programming
Duration
16 to 20 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:
• Recognize the facilities available through the CICS Command Level Programming Interface to efficiently achieve all the standard online terminal network functions
• Identify how system and task-related information is obtained for use in the application
• Identify how application tables are loaded and referenced in main memory
• Identify how data resources are accessed to maximize system efficiency and minimize resource contention
• Recognize the considerations involved in CICS integrity, resource backout, and recovery
• Identify how CICS functions are developed by using pseudo-conversational programming techniques
• Identify how multitasking functions are coded by using the background task capabilities of CICS Transient Data and Interval Control
Course Content
The Command Level Preprocessor
The Function of the Translator/ Preprocessor
Syntax of CICS Commands
The Argument Alternatives and Their Meanings
The EXEC Interface Block in Detail
Conversational vs. Pseudo-Conversational Programming
Processing Modes
• Non-Conversational
• Conversational
Pseudo-Conversational
Pseudo-Conversational Techniques
Disadvantages of Pseudo-Conversational Design
Overcoming the Disadvantages
File Control Commands - Direct Access
Accessing Keyed Files, particularly VSAM
The Principles of Recovery and Backout
Committing/ Reversing the Changes – SYNCPOINT
String and Record Locks – Minimizing Contention
File Control Commands - Sequential Access
Browsing Commands
Special Notes for File Control
Program Control
Passing Control Between Application Programs
Passing a Communication Area Between Programs
Terminating a Task - The RETURN Command
Pseudo-Conversational Program Design
LOADing Application Tables
Exceptional Condition Handling
HANDLE CONDITION, the Old Approach
IGNORE CONDITION, the Structured Alternative
HANDLE ABEND, When All Else Fails
Accessing CICS Areas and Information
Dynamic Addressing Mechanism in COBOL/VS
Accessing the CWA, TWA, TCTUA, and EIB
Obtaining Information about the Task and Environment
Temporary Storage Commands
Creating Temporary Storage Queues
Naming Pitfalls to Avoid
Choosing MAIN or AUXILIARY Temporary Storage
How to Access and Delete Temporary Storage Data
Transient Data Commands
Accessing Sequential Files
INTRA and EXTRA Partition Queues
Communicating with Batch Jobs
Automatic Task Initiation, Background Tasks
Online Printing
Interval Control Commands
Time-Oriented Facilities
Obtaining the Date and Time in Various Formats
START Other Tasks and Pass Data to Them
CANCEL Unexpired Events
DELAY and SUSPEND Functions
Journal Control Commands
The System Log
Writing User Journals and Audit Log Trails
Asynchronous I/O to Optimize Response Time
Miscellaneous Commands
Acquiring and Releasing Storage Dynamically
Single-Threading on any Resource (ENQ / DEQ)
TRACEing and DUMPing Under Task Control
ABENDing the Task
Using DB2 with CICS
CICS Attachment Facility
Connection Threads
Application Flow
CICS Intercommunication and Transactions
Intercommunication between Systems
Multi-Region Operation (MRO)
Inter-System Communication (ISC)
CICS Supplied Transactions
CICS System Commands
Inquire Command
Perform Command
Setting Programs, Nodes, Terminals, Data Sets
Display Explanations
Displaying Data Sets, Displaying Programs
Displaying Terminals, Displaying Tasks
Displaying Transactions
