Objectives

In this workshop, participants get an overview of the different CICS TS (Customer Information Control System Transaction Server) components which are related to the building of applications. By using this information and by doing exercises participants become familiar with the different aspects of working in a CICS environment. Message processing, data management, the use of different communication options and synchronisation are also discussed.

At the end of this course delegates will be able to write complete programs in COBOL or PL/1 using CICS 'command level' instructions.

Main topics

• CICS coding: How to code CICS 'command level' instructions • their format, syntax and use • program preparation, development and testing
• Controlling terminals: Coding CICS programs to facilitate interactive conversation with terminals • use of Basic Mapping Support
• Error handling: CICS instructions to trap conditions, warnings or exceptions • the use of development tools and trace and debug facilities
• Interprogram communication: LINK, XCTL and RETURN • the use of communication areas, of channels and containers, of temporary storage, of transient data • automatic task initiation
• Data management: CICS instructions to read and change VSAM files • the browse commands • data base access
• Performance aspects
• Recovery: System and application recovery: the commands for commit and rollback • pseudo-conversational programming
• Distributed working • CICS and the internet • CICS and web services