CICS Transaction Server - Programming

Duration

Overview

Audience

Prerequisites

Objectives

• Select and use the facilities available via the CICS Command Level Programming Interface to achieve all of the standard online terminal network functions in the most efficient and maintainable way possible.
• Obtain system and task-related information for use in the application.
• Load and reference application tables in main memory.
• Access data resources in a way that maximizes system efficiency while minimizing resource contention.
• Be aware of the considerations involved in CICS integrity, and the ramifications regarding resource backout and recovery.
• Develop CICS functions using the “Pseudo-Conversational” programming techniques. How to apply the benefits in the best way while catering for the attendant disadvantages and integrity issues.
• Code “multi-tasking” functions using the “background” task capabilities of CICS Transient Data and Interval Control.

Module 1 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

Module 2 CONVERSATIONAL vs. PSEUDO-CONVERSATIONAL PROGRAMMING

• Processing Modes
  • Non-Conversational
  • Conversational
  • Pseudo-Conversational
• Pseudo-Conversational Techniques
• Disadvantages of Pseudo-Conversational Design
• Overcoming the Disadvantages

Module 3 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

Module 4 FILE CONTROL COMMANDS - SEQUENTIAL ACCESS

• Browsing Commands
• Special Notes for File Control

Module 5 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

Module 6 EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION HANDLING

• HANDLE CONDITION, the Old Approach
• IGNORE CONDITION, the Structured Alternative
• HANDLE ABEND, When All Else Fails

Module 7 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

Module 8 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

Module 9 TRANSIENT DATA COMMANDS

• Accessing Sequential Files
• INTRA and EXTRA Partition Queues
• Communicating with Batch Jobs
• Automatic Task Initiation, Background Tasks
• Online Printing

Module 10 INTERVAL CONTROL COMMANDS

• Time Oriented Facilities
• Obtaining the Date and Time in Various Formats
• STARTing Other Tasks, and Passing Data to Them
• CANCELing Unexpired Events
• DELAY and SUSPEND Functions

Module 11 JOURNAL CONTROL COMMANDS

• The System Log
• Writing User Journals and Audit Log Trails
• Asynchronous I/O to Optimize Response Time

Module 12 MISCELLANEOUS COMMANDS

• Acquiring and Releasing Storage Dynamically
• Single-Threading on any Resource (ENQ / DEQ)
• TRACEing and DUMPing Under Task Control
• ABENDing the Task

Module 13 USING DB2 WITH CICS

• CICS Attachment Facility
• Connection Threads
• Application Flow

Module 14 CICS INTERCOMMUNICATION AND TRANSACTIONS

• Multiregion Operation
• Intersystem Communication
• Extended Recovery Facility
• Transaction ID

Module 15 CICS SYSTEM COMMANDS

• Inquire Command
• Perform Command
• Setting Programs, Nodes, Terminals, Datasets

Module 16 DISPLAY EXPLANATIONS

• Displaying Datasets
• Displaying Programs
• Displaying Terminals
• Displaying Tasks
• Displaying Transactions