Table of Contents

• Introduction to CICS
• Basic Mapping Support
• Program Control
• File Processing
• Error Handling
• Queues
• Interval and Task Control
• Recovery and Restart
• Program preparation
• CICS Supplied Transactions
• Case Study

1
 Introduction to CICS

• Customer Information Control System -CICS developed in late

1960s as a DB/DC control system
• CICS provides an interface between the Operating System and
application programs
• Macro Level CICS - initial version Assembler macro to request
CICS services
• Command Level CICS - high level lang.version - commands to
request CICS services - Single command can replace series of
macros

2
 Batch & Online : Differences

BATCH SYSTEM ONLINE SYSTEM

1. Input data is prepared and 1. Data is entered as needed not
given in sequence (file) in sequence (terminal)
2. Processing sequence is 2. Since processing sequence is
predictable and hence unpredictable, special
restarting the process in case recovery/restart proc. is
of failure is easy. required in case of failure
3. Programs and files can’t be 3. Programs and files can be
shared shared
4. Programs are scheduled 4. Transaction can be run at any
through jobs time
5. O/P printed on paper or in 5. O/p displayed on Terminal
sequential of VSAM or Indexed updated files
files 6. Response Time: Could be in
6. Response time: Could be minutes or second. Usually in
scheduled to be Hours or days seconds
3
CICS & Operating System

Operating System

CICS
Enter Code :
User’s Files &
App. Database

4
 DB/DC System
Terminals Data
Base
Central System

CICS System
Environment &
API routines,
and Application
Programs

5
 CICS System Services

• Data-Communication Functions

• Data-Handling Functions

• Application Program Services

• System Services

• Monitoring Functions

6
 Task & Transaction

• Task :- A basic unit of work which is scheduled by the

operating system or CICS
Ex -Read from and write to the terminal

• Transaction :- An entity which initiates execution of a task. In

CICS, transaction is identified by the transaction identifier
(Trans-id)

7
 Application Programming
Concepts

• Pseudo-Conversational

• Multitasking

• Multithreading

• Quasi-Reentrancy

8
 Terminal Conversation
• Conversational : A mode of dialogue between program and
terminal based on a combination of sending message and
receiving message within the same task
– Since human response is slower than the CPU speed, a
significant amount of resource will be wasted just waiting

• Pseudo-Conversational. A mode of dialogue between program

and terminal which appears to the operator as a continuous
conversation but which is actually carried by a series of tasks

9
 Terminal Conversation Example
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
:
FIRST-PROCESS.
EXEC CICS RECEIVE ---- <= TSK1,12345
END-EXEC.
: process
EXEC CICS SEND ----- <= EMP(12345) Details
END-EXEC.
* - - - - - - Program Waits For Response - - - - -
SECOND PROCESS.
EXEC CICS RECEIVE ----- <= User Enters Data
END-EXEC.
: process

10
 Pseudo-Conversation Example
Transaction TSK1 Transaction TSK2
Program PROG2
Program PROG1
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
PROCEDURE DIVISION. :
: EXEC CICS
RECEIVE
EXEC CICS RECEIVE END-EXEC.
END-EXEC. :
: EXEC CICS SEND
EXEC CICS SEND END-EXEC.
EXEC CICS RETURN
END-EXEC. END-EXEC.
EXEC CICS RETURN
TRANSID (‘TSK2’)
END-EXEC.

11
 CICS Components
• Control Programs (or Management Modules)
Programs that interface between OS and app. pgm
Handle the general functions that are crucial to operation of
CICS
• Control Tables
Define the CICS environment
Functionally associated with the management module
• Control Blocks (or Areas)
Contain system type information. Eg. Task Control Area
contains information about the task

12
 Mangement Pgms & Ctrl Tables
• Programs • Tables
Program Control PCP
File control FCP Processing Program
Table PPT
Terminal Control TCP File Control Table FCT
Task Control KCP Terminal Control Table TCT
Temporary Storage TSP Program Control Table PCT
Temp. Storage Table TST
Transient Data TDP Destin. Control Table DCT
Storage Control SCP
Interval Control ICP
Journal Control JCP

13
 CICS Program Considerations

Considerations:

• Must eventually return control to CICS

• Can’t modify procedure division instructions because CICS

programs may be shared by many tasks

• Can modify working storage since a unique copy of working

storage is created for each task

14
 CICS Program Restrictions

Restrictions:
• No CONFIG. SECTION, I/O SECTION to be specified in the
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.

• FILE SECTION, OPEN, CLOSE, and non-CICS READ & WRITE

statements are not permitted because file management is handled
by CICS.

• COBOL commands such as ACCEPT, DISPLAY, EXHIBIT, TRACE,

STOP RUN, GOBACK are avoided. (STOP RUN & GOBACK are
sometimes included in order to eliminate compiler diagnostic but
never executed)

15
Sample CICS Program

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. SAMPLE.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 WS-INPUT.
05 WS-TRANSID PIC X(4).
05 FILLER PIC X(1).
05 WS-IN-EMP-CD PIC X(4) VALUE ALL
‘X’.

16
 Sample Program (Contd..)
01 WS-OUTPUT.
05 FILLER PIC X(16) VALUE ‘EMP CODE : ‘.
05 WS-OUT-EMP-CD PIC X(4).
01 WS-LENGTH PIC S9(4) COMP.
LINKAGE SECTION.
CAN Include DFHCOMMAREA if data needs to be communicated
between two transactions or multiple iterations of the same
transaction.
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
000-MAINLINE.
PERFORM 100-RECV-INPUT.
PERFORM 200-SEND-OUTPUT.
EXEC CICS RETURN END-EXEC.

17
Sample Program (Contd..)
100-RECV-INPUT.
MOVE 9 TO WS-LENGTH.
EXEC CICS RECEIVE
INTO (WS-INPUT) LENGTH (WS-LENGTH)
END-EXEC.
MOVE WS-IN-EMP-CODE TO WS-OUT-EMP-CODE
200-SEND-OUTPUT.
EXEC CICS SEND
FROM (WS-OUTPUT) LENGTH (20)
ERASE
END-EXEC.

18
CICS Translator

The CICS translator converts CICS commands into the COBOL

code so that it could be compiled by a Standard Cobol compiler

CICS program with CICS

COBOL Statements
Commands
CICS Translator

19
 Translator

• When you compile a CICS/VS program the translator will

automatically add many lines of code to your program, which can
be seen in the compiled listing

20
 Topics in BMS

• Introduction to BMS
• Map and Mapset
• Physical and Symbolic Map
• Map Definition Macros
• Screen Manipulation/Handling
• Screen Design Considerations
• Interfacing with Terminal using a Map

21
Introduction to BMS
Introductory concepts
In online systems, formatted screens are used. In order to display
formatted screen, a terminal (e.g. 3278) must receive a series of data
stream called Native Mode Data Stream (NMDS) based on the
hardware protocol; this NMDS is a mixture of Buffer Control
Characters (BCCs) and text data. NMDS is designed for a particular
terminal and is thus both device dependent and format dependent. So if
NMDS is used, re-coding is required whenever there is change in the
terminal device or screen format. To remove this device and format
dependency from application program, CICS provides a facility called
Basic Mapping Support (BMS).

22
Primary Functions of BMS
• Removal of device dependent codes from Application Program
• Removal of constant information from Application program
(Headers, Titles...)
• Construct NMDS - Native Mode Data Stream
• Text handling
• Terminal Paging & Message routing
• Contents of the screen defined thru’ BMS is called Map.
• Map is a program written in assembly language.
• BMS macros are available for Map coding.

The BMS Macros are coded in the form of Maps, and Mapsets to
define the screen attributes, screen field positions, and field
characteristics.

23
 Map and Mapset

• Representation of one screen format is called Map (screen

panel).

• One or more maps, link edited together, makes up a Mapset

(load module).

• Mapset must have a entry in PPT as given below:

DFHPPT TYPE=ENTRY,MAPSET=name
Or DFHPPT TYPE=ENTRY,PROGRAM=name

24
 Map and Mapset (Contd..)
• Mapset name has two parts.

– Generic name 1- 7 chars. Used in App. Program.

– Suffix 1 char. To identify the device type

• Multimap Panel

• Dynamically constructing a screen panel with multiple maps at

the execution time

25
 Map and Mapset (Contd..)
The concepts of map and mapset can be utilized in two type of
cases as given below:

Case 1: A mapset consist of a single map. For e.g.

MAPSET1 MAPNUM1

Case 2: A mapset consists of several maps. For e.g.

MAPSET2 MAPNUM1
MAPNUM2

26
 Types of MAPS
There are 2 types of MAPS
• Physical Map
Physical Map is a map used by CICS (CSECT)
Ensure device independence in the application program
BMS macro coding ==> Assembly==> Link edit ==> Load module ==>
LOADLIB ===> To be used by CICS
• Symbolic Map
Ensure device and format independence in the application program
Symbolic Map is a map used by Application Program (DSECT)
BMS macro coding ==> Assembly ==> Symbolic map definition ==>
COPYLIB ==> Copied (COPY) into CICS application program.

27
Example – Symbolic Map
01 EMPRECI.
02 FILLER PIC X(12).
02 EMPNAL PIC S9(4) COMP.
02 EMPNAF PIC X.
02 FILLER REDEFINES EMPNAF.
03 EMPNAA PIC X.
02 EMPNAI PIC X(21).

01 EMPRECO REDEFINES EMPRECI.

02 FILLER PIC X(12).
02 FILLER PIC X(03).
02 EMPNAO PIC X(21).

28
 Physical & Symbolic Map - Logic Flow

BMS Assembler
source
Physical MAP

Symbolic MAP Linkage editor

Load module (MVS)

29
 Physical Map
Physical Map.
• The BMS macros are assembled and link-edited into CICS load
library to create the physical map. The mapset like any other CICS
program is stored in CICS runtime library the PPT(Program
Processing Table). At the program execution time the physical
map is being used by CICS to load the screen image.

• In case of input operations, the physical map defines the maximum

length, the starting position for each field to be read and allows
BMS to interpret an input NMDS.

• In case of output operations, the physical map defines the starting

position, length, field characteristics and the default data for each
field and allows BMS to construct an output NMDS.

30
 Symbolic Map
• The symbolic map is coded using the BMS macro, assembled
separately and catalogued into a copy library. The symbolic map
serves as a DSECT for referencing the Terminal Input/Output Area
(TIOA). The program issues a COBOL COPY statement to include it
in the program.

• The symbolic maps represents the actual data structure of the fields
defined in the physical map, and is used by the application program
to send and receive information from the terminal, in the CICS
SEND-MAP & RECEIVE MAP commands.

• The symbolic map can be used by the CICS application programs to

dynamically to alter the field attributes, modify screen cursor
position, and highlight , protect , unprotect specific fields on the
screen. 31
Map definition Macros
General Format
Column Number
1 16 72
setname operation operands contd.
Example
EMPMAP DFHMSD TYPE=MAP, X
MODE=INOUT, X
LANG=COBOL, X
STORAGE=AUTO, X
TIOAPFX=YES
*
* ANY COMMENTS

32
 Map definition Macros (Contd..)
Explanations:
SETNAME : Name of the mapset. Used in CICS command to
read or write one of the maps in the mapset. It is
the load module name.
OPERATION : Macro identifier. Mapset/Map/Field definition.
OPERANDS : Optional key words (parameters) separated by
comma.
CONTD : Current line can be continued by leaving this
column non-blank (usually X) and the next line
have to be started in 16th column.
Comments : ‘*’ in column 1 makes the line comment.

33
 Map definition Macros (Contd..)
INITIAL VALUES : Always surround initial values by
single quote marks
Escape Chars : ‘ and &

34
 Order of Macros

DFHMSD TYPE=DSECT Mapset

DFHMDI Map
DFHMDF A field
DFHMDF A field
:
DFHMDI Map
DFHMDF A field
DFHMDF A field
:
DFHMSD TYPE=FINAL Mapset
END

35
DFHMSD Macro
The DFHMSD macro is used to define a mapset (TYPE=MAP)
and its characteristics or to end a mapset definition
(TYPE=FINAL). Only one mapset is allowed in one assembly
run. All the maps in a map set get assembled together, and
they're loaded together at execution time.

Example:
TSTMSET DFHMSD TYPE=&SYSPARM, X
MODE=INOUT, X
LANG=COBOL,
X
STORAGE=AUTO, X
TIOAPFX=YES,
X
CNTL=(FREEKB,FRSET,PRINT)

36
DFHMSD Macro (Contd..)
Options

TYPE= To define the map type

DSECT For symbolic map
MAP For physical map
&SYSPARM For special assembly procedure
FINAL To indicate the end of a mapset coding

MODE= To indicate input/output operations

IN For an input map only
OUT For an output map only
INOUT For maps involving both input and output.

37
DFHMSD Macro (Contd..)
STORAGE =
AUTO To acquire a separate symbolic map area for
each mapset
BASE To have the same storage base for the symbolic
maps of from more than one mapset

TIOAPFX=
YES To reserve the prefix space (12 bytes) for BMS
commands to access TIOA properly. Required for
the CICS command level.

38
DFHMSD Macro (Contd..)
CNTL= To define the device control requests
FREEKB To unlock the keyboard
FRSET To reset MDT to zero status
ALARM To set an alarm at screen display time
PRINT To indicate the mapset to be sent to the
printer

TERM=type This ensures device independence,

required if other than 3270 terminal is being
used

SUFFIX=nn To specify the user provided suffix number.

This must correspond to the TCT parameter.

39
DFHMDI Macro
Defines a map and its characteristics
Example
EMPMAP DFHMDI SIZE=(ll,cc), X
LINE=nn, X
COLUMN=mm, X
JUSTIFY=LEFT/RIGHT
Options
SIZE=(ll,cc) To define the size of the map by the line size (ll)
and the column size (cc). Useful when the screen
contains.
LINE Indicates the starting line number of the map.
COLUMN Indicates the starting column number of the map.
JUSTIFY To specify the entire map (map fields) is to be left or
right justified.
40
DFHMDF Macro
The DFHMDF macro is used to define a field in a map and its
characteristics. This is the position on the screen where the field
should appear. It's the position relative to the beginning of the
map. Field starts with its attribute byte, so if POS=(1,1) is coded,
then the attribute byte for that field is on line 1 in column 1, and
the actual data starts in column 2. The length of the field (not
counting the attribute byte) is specified. Literals can be specified
within quotes; these character data is for an output field. It is
used to define labels and titles for the screen and keep them
independent of the program.

41
Sample Screen layout
The above defines the screen layout as given below:

ITEM NUMBER :&nnnnnnnn

Where

‘&’ Is the Attribute character

‘n’ Is unprotected numeric
‘_‘ Is Cursor

42
 DFHMDF
Macro For The Above Layout
Define a field and its characteristics
Example
DFHMDF POS(ll,cc), X
INITIAL=‘Customer No. :’, X
ATTRB=ASKIP, X
LENGTH=14
CUSTNO DFHMDF POS=(ll,cc), X
ATTRB=(UNPROT,NUM,FSET,IC), X
JUSTIFY=RIGHT, X
PICIN=‘9(8)’, X
PICOUT=‘9(8)’, X
LENGTH=8
43
Attribute character
Function:
The attribute character is an invisible 1-byte character, which
precedes a screen field and determines the characteristics of a
field.

ASKIP Autoskip. Data cannot be entered in this field. The cursor

skips to the next field.
PROT Protected field. Data cannot be entered into this field. If data
is entered, it will cause the input-inhibit status.
UNPROT Unprotected field. Data can be entered and this is used
for all input fields.
NUM Numeric field. Only numbers (0 to 9) and special characters
(“.” and “-“) are allowed.

44
Attribute character (Contd..)
BRT Bright display of a field (highlight).

NORM Normal display.

DRK Dark display.

IC Insert cursor. The cursor will be positioned in this field. In

case, IC is specified more than once, the cursor is placed in
the last field.

FSET Field set. MDT is set on so that the field data is to be sent
from the terminal to the host computer regardless of
whether the field is actually modified by the user.

45
Modified Data Tag
Function:
Modified Data Tag (MDT) is a one bit of the attribute character. If it
is off (0), it indicates that the terminal operator has not modified
the field. If it is on (1), it indicates that the operator has modified
this field. Only when MDT is on, the data of the field will be sent by
the terminal hardware to the host computer. An effective use of
MDT drastically reduces the amount of data traffic in the
communication line and thus improves performance.

Three ways of setting and resetting the MDT.

1. Terminal user modifies a field on the screen, it is
automatically set to “1” (on) by the terminal hardware.

46
Modified Data Tag (Contd..)
2. If CNTL=FRSET is specified in the DFHMSD or DFHMDI
macro, when the mapset or the map is sent to the terminal,
MDT will be reset to “0” (off) i.e. not modified for all the
fields of the mapset or the map.

3. If FSET is specified in the ATTRB parameter of the

DFHMDF macro for a field, when the map is sent to the
terminal, MDT will be set to “1”. (on i.e. modified) for the
field regardless of whether the field has been modified by
the terminal user.

47
 Skipper Technique

• Unlabelled 1-byte field with the autoskip attribute

• DFHMDF POS(ll,cc),ATTRB=ASKIP,LENGTH=1
• To skip the cursor to the next unprotected field after one
unprotected field.
• Screen Layout :
&xxxxx&$ &xx
where
$ Skipper field
& Attribute byte
X Unprotected field

48
 Stopper Technique

• Unlabelled 1-byte field with the protect attribute

• DFHMDF POS(ll,cc),ATTRB=PROT,LENGTH=1
• To stop the cursor in order to prevent erroneous field overflow by
terminal user.
• Screen Layout :
&xxxxx&$#&$
where
# Stopper field

49
Format Of the Symbolic Map
Format of Symbolic Map
• Once the symbolic map is assembled and is placed in the COPY
library, the COBOL COPY statement can be used to include it in the
application program.

• The symbolic map starts with the 01 level definition of the map
name specified in the DFHMDI macro with the suffix ‘I’ for the
input map and the suffix ‘O’ for the output map.

• Next is the definition of FILLER PIC X(12), which is the TIOA prefix
created by the TIOAPFX=YES of the DFHMSD macro; this is
required by the BMS under the CICS command level.

50
Format Of the Symbolic Map
(Contd..)
For each field name (1 to 7 characters) specified in the DFHMDF
macro, BMS creates three fields for inputs and three fields for
outputs, by placing one character suffix to the original field name.
The meaning of these fields are given below:

• Name + L: The half-word binary (PIC S9(4) COMP) field.

For the input field, the actual number of characters typed in the
field will be placed by the BMS when the map is received. For the
output field, this is used for the dynamic cursor positioning.

51
Format Of the Symbolic Map
(Contd..)

• Name + F: Flag Byte. For the input field, it will be X’80’

if the field has been modified but no data is sent (i.e. the field
has been cleared). Otherwise this field is X’00’.

• Name + A: The Attribute byte for both input and output

fields.

• Name + I: The input data field. X’00’ will be placed if no data is

entered. Note that space X’40’ is data. The application
program should differentiate X’00’ from space (X’40’).

• Name + O: The output data field.

52
Example Of Symbolic Map

01 EMPRECI.
02 FILLER PIC X(12).
02 EMPNAL PIC S9(4) COMP.
02 EMPNAF PIC X.
02 FILLER REDEFINES EMPNAF.
03 EMPNAA PIC X.
02 EMPNAI PIC X(21).

01 EMPRECO REDEFINES EMPRECI.

02 FILLER PIC X(12).
02 FILLER PIC X(03).
02 EMPNAO PIC X(21).

53
Cursor Positioning Techniques
CICS provides multiple ways of to specify where to position the
cursor on the screen. The cursor positioning is important to prompt
an user of an entry he has to make, or to point to an error which
has occurred during editing the user entries.

• Static positioning (Achieved thru Map definition ATTRIB=IC).

Example :
DFHMDF
POS=(5,8),ATTRB=(UNPROT,FSET,IC),LENGTH=10

54
Cursor Positioning Techniques
(Contd..)
• Dynamic/Symbolic Positioning.

The cursor is placed dynamically through an application

program by moving -1 to the symbolic map field-length
field (i.e. fieldname + L) for the field where the cursor is
to be placed. The SEND MAP command must be issued
with the CURSOR option (without value). Also, the
mapset should be coded with MODE=INOUT in the
DFHMSD macro. This approach is very useful when the
cursor is to be placed at the field where data entry error
has been detected by the data edit routine.

55
 Cursor Positioning Techniques
(Contd..)
Example Of Dynamic Cursor Positioning.

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
:
COPY MAPSET1
01 MAPSET1I
05 FILLER PIC X(6).
05 FIELD1L PIC X(5).
05 FIELD1F PIC X.
05 FIELD1I PIC X.

56
 Cursor Positioning Techniques
(Contd..)
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
: MOVE –1 TO FIELDL.
EXEC CICS SEND MAP(‘MAP1’)
MAPSET(‘MAPSET1’)
CURSOR
ERASE
END-EXEC.
The cursor will be placed at FIELD1 field of the map during
execution.

57
 Cursor Positioning Techniques
(Contd..)
Dynamic/Relative Positioning (application program)

The cursor is placed dynamically through an application program

using the CURSOR(data-value) option in the SEND MAP
command with the value of the relative position (starting from
zero) of the terminal. At the completion of the SEND MAP
command, the map will be displayed with the cursor placed at
the specified position, overriding the static cursor position
defined at the map definition time.

58
 Cursor Positioning Techniques
(Contd..)
Example EXEC CICS SEND
MAP(‘MAP1’)
MAPSET(‘MAPSET1’)
CURSOR(100)
ERASE
END-EXEC.

The cursor will be placed at FIELD1 field of the map MAP1

during execution.

59
 Interfacing with a Terminal
using a Map
The BMS maps are used in the application programs for the actual
terminal input/output operation. These operations are performed
by a set of CICS commands for BMS.
The following are the three basic functions performed by CICS
commands:
1. Map Sending function – using the data in the symbolic map,
BMS prepares the output NMDS, the corresponding physical
map, and sends to the terminal.
2. Map Receiving Function – using the input NDMS from the
terminal, BMS prepares data in the symbolic map through the
corresponding physical map.
3. Text Handling Function – BMS prepares text without using a
map and sends to the terminal.

60
 Interfacing with a Terminal
using a Map (Contd..)
Flow of Information from 3270 Terminal and the Application Program.

Application
Program Symbolic BMS Output Terminal
Send Map Map NDMS
Command

Physical Data
Map Entry

Application
Program Symbolic BMS Input Terminal
Receive Map NDMS
Command Map

61
 Interfacing with a Terminal
using a Map (Contd..)
The following are the available commands:

• RECEIVE MAP : To receive a map

• SEND MAP : To send a map
• SEND CONTROL : To send a control function to the
terminal
• SEND TEXT : To send a text
• SEND PAGE : To send the accumulated text or
maps as a logical message

62
Receive Map Command
RECEIVE MAP Command is used to receive input from a terminal.
At the completion of the command, the symbolic map will contain
valid data from the terminal in the following three fields as per each
field defined by the DFHMDF macro:

Field name + L : The length field, which contains the actual

number of characters, typed in the screen
field.
Field name + F : The Flag Byte which is normally X’00’. It will
be X’80’ if the field has been modified but
cleared.
Field name + I : The actual input data field. X’00’ will be placed
if no data is entered.

63
 Receive Map Command
(Contd..)

Syntax: EXEC CICS RECEIVE

MAP (MAPNAME)
MAPSET(MAPSETNAME)
[ SET(POINTER)|
INTO(DATANAME) ]
[ LENGTH(MSG-LEN)]
[ HANDLE | NOHANDLE ]
[ RESP() ]
END-EXEC.

• Conditions: INVREQ, MAPFAIL

64
Receive Map Command
(Contd..)
MAP specified the name of the MAP defined thru DFHMDI
command , which describes the screen details.

MAPSET specified the name of the MAPSET defined thru DFHMSD

command which includes the MAP.

INTO is used to specify the area in the working storage section to

which the data from the terminal is to be placed.

SET is used when the address pointer is to be set to the address of

the symbolic map (by CICS) so that the application program can
directly refer to the record without moving the record content into the
working storage area defined in the program.
65
Receive Map Command
(Contd..)
RESP will be used by CICS to place a response code at a
completion of the command.

HANDLE is used to transfer control to the procedure label

specified if the exceptional condition specified occurs.

NOHANDLE will cause no action to be taken for any exceptional

condition occurring during execution of the CICS command.

Conditions : INVMPSZ , INVREQR , LENGERR, MAPFAIL

MAPFAIL is set when the data being mapped has a length of zero. It
occurs when the following keys are pressed in response to the
RECEIVE MAP command: CLEAR or Attention Keys & ENTER or PF
keys without entering data.

66
SEND MAP Command
The SEND MAP command is used to send formatted output to a terminal.
Before issuing this command, the application program must prepare the
data in the symbolic map of the map to be sent, which has the following
three fields per each field defined by the DFHMDF macro:

Name + L: The length field, for which the application program need not
prepare except when used for the dynamic cursor positioning.

Name + A: The Attribute byte for output fields. Application program will
use it for dynamic cursor positioning.

Name + O: The actual output data field, where the application program
places the data.

67
 SEND MAP Command (Contd..)
EXEC CICS SEND MAP(MAP1)
MAPSET(MAPSET1) ]
[FROM(DATANAME) ], [DATAONLY] | MAPONLY],
[ CURSOR(VALUE) ],
[ FREEKB ] , [ ERASE ] , [ FRSET ] ,
[ HANDLE | NOHANDLE ] ,
[ RESP (DATANAME) ]
END-EXEC.

• Conditions : INVREQ,LENGERR

68
SEND MAP Command (Contd..)
MAP specified the name of the MAP defined thru DFHMDI command
, which describes the screen details.

MAPSET specified the name of the MAPSET defined thru DFHMSD

command which includes the MAP.

MAPONLY is used when no data from your program is to be merged

into the map.

DATAONLY is used when only the data from the program is to be

sent to the screen. The constants in the map are not sent.

69
SEND MAP Command (Contd..)
FROM is used to specify the area in the working storage section
from which the data is to be sent to the terminal.

70
AID KEYS
First time when a transaction is initiated the application program
throws the screen image on the terminal thru SEND MAP command.
Once the screen appears, the AID (Attention Identifier ) Keys are
being used to send the information back from the terminal to CICS to
application program. CICS application program needs to trap the
attention identifier keys and process various functions related to the
AID keys.

Salient Points
• PF keys, PA keys, ENTER & CLEAR key

• EIBAID in the CICS Executive Interface Block contains, recently

used AID key.

71
AID KEYS (Contd..)
• DFHAID – CICS System copybook which stores the values of
the EIBAID field for the various AID keys. Flow : User hits
AID key – Control goes to CICS – To Application program.
EIBAID contains information about the last AID key pressed.
Program compares EIBAID to the DFHAID field and
performs processing logic as per the AID key pressed.

• HANDLE AID establish the routines that are to be invoked

when the aid is detected by a RECEIVE MAP command.
Syntax : EXEC CICS HANDLE AID
Option (label)
END-EXEC

Conditions : INVREQ

72
 Screen Design Considerations

Functional Screen Design

• Screen layout should be similar to source where terminal

users enter data.

• Screen id should be placed at the top right corner of a

screen. This helps at problem determination time.

• Screen title and field descriptions should be self-explanatory.

Instructions should be concise.

73
Screen Design Considerations
(Contd..)
• Large fields can be broken into a number of small fields. E.g.
the field contact information can be split into contact
numbers, email ids and postal address.

• In case of repeated fields or group of fields, sequence

numbers helps.

• Error messages should be provided. Preferably the last few

lines can be used for the error messages.

74
 Screen Design Considerations
User-Friendly Screen Design
• Screens should be simple and friendly.
• Default values in fields helps in reducing keystrokes by the
users. Also, in case the user forgets to enter a field data,
defaults values are assigned according to the field.
• Calculations should be done by program and not by users.
• The cursors should be placed in the appropriate fields.
• Highlight the error field. Using a different colour or blinking
the error field can achieve this. This enables users to identify
the erroneous field easily.

75
 Screen Design Considerations
(Contd..)
• Alarm sound can be used for error entries.
• Provide suitable help messages for erroneous entries. The
help message should be instructive and kind and should not
be rude.
• Provide help on fields and their meanings. Using an attention
key for a help menu, which has details on each field, makes a
screen user-friendly.

Artistic Screen Design

• A simple screen layout is always preferred.
• Proper use of indentations, spaces, and lines makes a
screen look good.

76
 Screen Design Considerations
(Contd..)
• Colour can help in improving the screen design; however the
colour used should be in accordance with the norms and
standards followed.

Considerations for Human Errors

• Important and useful fields can be placed at the top part of
the screen.
• Related fields can be grouped together.
• Protected fields should be skipped automatically. This
reduces manual skipping and is preferred.
• Skipper/Stopper techniques can be used at appropriate
places.

77
Exercise - 1

78
 CICS VS FILE PROCESSING
File handling in CICS is achieved thru a set of file handling
commands. It is essential to know the various file handling
commands for application programming.

File Specific functions to be performed are the following.

• Defining a specific file to the CICS system.
• Reading a file sequentially
• Reading a Key Sequenced file randomly
• Reading a file sequentially starting from a specific point.
• Reading and Updating a record
• Deleting a Record.
• Handle any errors that occur during file processing

79
CICS VS FILE PROCESSING
Instead, CICS has a list of all the files it is allowed
To access.
Files do not need to exclusively
defined in Application This list is called the FILE CONTROL TABLE
programs. The files do not need (FCT) and is maintained by the systems
programmers
to opened and closed in a CICS
application program , before When CICS/VS is started up. It goes through the
being used in the program. FCT and makes all the files available. When
CICS/VS is closed down it closes all the files.

Application programs do not need

The FD Section, and the Input – Output
Section. Application program directly
Refer to filenames in EXEC CICS
Command.

80
CICS COBOL V/S COBOL
BATCH COBOL CICS
COBOL

READ DATAFILE INTO REC-AREA EXEC CICS READ

DATASET (‘FILE IDENTIFIER)
AT END MOVE ‘Y’ TO
INTO (RECORD NAME)
EOF-FLAG
RID-FLD (record-key)
Replaced by END-EXEC.

WRITE RECORD-NAME FROM EXEC CICS WRITE

RECORD-AREA DATASET (‘File identifier’)
FROM (Record-Name)
Replaced by RID-FLD (Record- key)
END-EXEC.

81
 VSAM

Different types of VSAM Datasets used in CICS are :

• ESDS Entry Sequenced Dataset

• KSDS Key Sequenced Dataset
• RRDS Relative Record Dataset

82
 Services Provided By CICS
• Basic Operations required for a file are
Adding a Record.
Modifying an Existing Record.
Deleting an Existing Record.
Browsing One or Selected or All Records.

• In Addition, CICS Provides

Exclusive Control. (Record Level Locking).
Data Independence.
Journaling.
Opening and closing Files.

83
 Defining A File in CICS
• Files should be defined in FCT (File Control Table).

• FCT will contain all the Information about a file (like dataset
name, access methods, permissible file service request, etc.)

• Defining files can be done either by CEDA Transaction or

DFHFCT Macro.

85
Syntax of DFHFCT Macro

DFHFCT TYPE=FILE,ACCMETH=VSAM,
DATASETNAME=NAME,
SERVRQ=(ADD,BROWSE,DELETE,READ,UPDATE),
FILSTAT=(ENABLED,OPENED)

86
 File Handling in Programs

• Files should not be defined in the Program.

• Program should not open or close a File.
• Records can be written in any order. A number of records can be
added at a time.
• Records can be inserted, updated or deleted.

87
Important Key-Words
• Dataset/File :- Name in the FCT.

• Into/From (WS-Rec) :- Working-Storage Area defined in the

program where the CICS Puts/Gets the Data.

• RIDFLD :- Contains the Record Key.

• RESP :- Contains the return code of the executed

command.

• LENGTH :- Length of the Record to be Retrieved or Written.

88
Random READ
EXEC CICS READ File(filename)
[SET() | Into()]
RIdfld(Rec-Key)
END-EXEC.

Condition: DISABLED, NOTOPEN, NOTFND, LENGERR,

DUPKEY, IOERR.

89
 Example for Random Read

EXEC CICS READ

File( 'INVMAS ')
Into(WS-INVMAS-REC)
Length(WS-INVMAS-LEN)
RIdfld('7135950602') |
RIdfld(WS-INVMAS-KEY)
END-EXEC.

90
 Sequential Read

• Sequential Read is done by Browse Oper.

• Establish the pointer to the First Record to be Read Using
StartBr.
• Next and Previous Records can be Read as required Using
ReadNext and ReadPrev.
• End the Browse Operation at last.
• Browse can be re-positioned.
• During Browse Operation, Records cannot be Updated.

91
Syntax for STARTBR

EXEC CICS STARTBR

FILE(filename)
RIDFLD(data-area)
END-EXEC.

Condition : DISABLED, IOERR, NOTFND, NOTOPEN.

92
 Reading the Record after
STARTBR

• Sequentially the Next or Previous Record can be read by a

READNEXT or READPREV.

• The first READNEXT or READPREV will read the Record

where the STARTBR has positioned the File Pointer.

93
Syntax of READNext/READPrev
EXEC CICS READNext | READPrev
FILE(name)
INTO(data-area)|SET(ptr-ref)
RIDFLD(data-area)
END-EXEC.

Condition : DUPKEY, ENDFILE, IOERR, LENGERR, NOTFND.

94
 ENDBRowse
• ENDBRowse terminates a Previously issued STARTBR.

• SYNTAX :
EXEC CICS ENDBR
FILE(filename)
END-EXEC.

Condition: INVREQ

95
RESETBR
• Its effect is the same as ENDBR and then giving another
STARTBR.

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS RESETBR
FILE(filename)
RIDFLD(data-area)
END-EXEC.

Condition: IOERR, NOTFND.

96
WRITE Command
• Adds a new record into the File.
• For ESDS, RIDFLD is not used but after write execution, RBA
value is returned and Record will be written at the end of the
File.
• For KSDS, RIDFLD should be the Record Key. The record will
be written depending on the Key.
• MASSINSERTion must be done in ascending order of the Key.

97
Syntax for WRITE
EXEC CICS WRITE
FILE(filename)
FROM(data-area)
RIDFLD(data-area)
END-EXEC.

Condition: DISABLED, DUPREC, IOERR, LENGERR,

NOSPACE, NOTOPEN.

98
 REWRITE Command

• Updates a Record which is Previously Read with UPDATE

Option.

• REWRITE automatically UNLOCKs the Record after

execution.

99
 Syntax for REWRITE

EXEC CICS REWRITE

FILE(filename)
FROM(data-area)
END-EXEC.

Condition: DUPREC, IOERR, LENGERR, NOSPACE.

100
 DELETE Command

• Deletes a Record from a dataset.

• Record can be deleted in two ways,
1. RIDFLD with the full key in it
2. The record read with READ with UPDATE will be deleted.
• Multiple Records Delete is possible using Generic Option.

101
Syntax of DELETE
EXEC CICS DELETE
FILE(filename)
RIDFLD(data-area) Optional
END-EXEC.

Condition: DISABLED, DUPKEY, IOERR, NOTFND,

NOTOPEN.

102
 UNLOCK
• To Release the Record which has been locked by READ with
UPDATE Command.

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS UNLOCK
FILE(filename)
:
[other options]
END-EXEC.

Condition: DISABLED, IOERR, NOTOPEN.

103
 General Exceptions
• The following exceptions usually will occur for ALL CICS file
handling commands.

FILENOTFOUND,
NOTAUTH,
SYSIDERR,
INVREQ

104
Error Handling in CICS
Possible Errors:
• Conditions that aren't normal from CICS's point of view but
that are expected in the program.
• Conditions caused by user errors and input data errors.
• Conditions caused by omissions or errors in the application
code.
• Errors caused by mismatches between applications and
CICS tables, generation parameters and JCL
• Errors related to hardware or other system conditions beyond
the control of an application program.

105
Error Handling methods

When the error (exceptional conditions) occur, the program can

do any of the following
• Take no action & let the program continue - Control returns to the
next inst. following the command that has failed to execute. A
return code is set in EIBRESP and EIBRCODE. This state
occurs ‘cause of NO HANDLE /RESP/IGNORE conditions
• Pass control to a specified label - Control goes to a label in the
program defined earlier by a HANDLE CONDITION command.
• Rely on the system default action - System will terminate or
suspend the task depends on the exceptional condition occurred

106
Error Handling methods
(Contd..)
• HANDLE CONDITION condition[(label)]... 'condition' specifies
the name of the condition, and 'label' specifies the location
within the program to be branched
• Remains active while the program is executing or until it
encounters IGNORE/another HANDLE condition.

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDITION
ERROR(ERRHANDL)
LENGERR(LENGRTN)
END-EXEC
This example handles DUPREC condition separately, all the
other Errors together. LENGERR will be handled by system

107
HANDLE Condition
Example of Handle condition:

EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDITION

NOTFND(RECORD-NOT-FOUND)
END-EXEC

This condition catches the NOTFND condition and transfers control to the
REC-NOT- FOUND paragraph in the program. The error handling logic can be
coded in the REC-NOT-FND paragraph.

108
 Alternative to Handle condition

• NOHANDLE to specify “no action to be taken for any condition or

attention identifier (AID) “

• RESP(xxx) "xxx" is a user-defined full word binary data area. On

return from the command, it contains a return code. Later, it can
be tested by means of DFHRESP as follows,
If xxx=DFHRESP(NOSPACE) ... or
If xxx=DFHRESP(NORMAL) ...

109
 IGNORE Condition

• IGNORE CONDITION condition ...

• ‘condition’ specifies the name of the condition that is to be
ignored( no action will be taken)
• Syntax :
EXEC CICS IGNORE CONDITION
ITEMERR
LENGERR
END-EXEC
• This command will not take any actions if the given two error
occurs and will pass the control to the next instruction

110
 Sample program to use Handle
condition
Here is an example of the CICS- COBOL code with proper
handling of errors
Procedure Division.
EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDITION
NOT-FND(REC-NOT-FOUND)
END EXEC.
:
EXEC CICS READ
DATASET(SAMPLE)
RIDFLD(EMP-NO)
INTO (EMP-REC)
END-EXEC
:
GO TO LAST-PART
111
Sample program to use Handle
condition (Contd..)
REC-NOT-FOUND
MOVE ‘NOT-ON-FILE’ TO NAMEO ( SYMBOLIC MAP
PARAMETER)

LAST-PART.
EXEC CICS SEND
MAP (‘TC0BM31’)
MAPSET(‘TC0BM30’)
FROM (‘TC0BM310’)
DATA-ONLY
END-EXEC

112
 PUSH & POP

• To suspend all current HANDLE CONDITION, IGNORE

CONDITION, HANDLE AID and HANDLE ABEND commands.

• Used for eg. while calling sub-pgms (CALL).

• While receiving the control, a sub-program can suspend Handle

commands of the called program using PUSH HANDLE.

• While returning the control, it can restore the Handle command

using POP HANDLE.

113
 Syntax of Push & Pop

• Syntax of Push :

EXEC CICS Push

Handle
END-EXEC.

• Syntax of Pop :

EXEC CICS Pop

Handle
END-EXEC.

114
EXEC Interface Block (EIB)
• CICS provides some system-related information to each task as
EXEC Interface Block (EIB)
• Unique to the CICS command level
EIBAID Attention- Id (1 Byte)
EIBCALEN Length of DFHCOMMAREA (S9(4) comp)
EIBDATE Date when this task started (S9(7) comp-3)
EIBFN Function Code of the last command ( 2
Bytes)
EIBRCODE Response Code of the last command (6
Bytes)
EIBTASKN Task number of this task (S9(7) comp-3)
EIBTIME Time when this task started (S9(7) comp-3)
EIBTRMID Terminal-Id (1 to 4 chars)
EIBTRNID Transaction-Id (1 to 4 chars)
115
Processing Program Table - PPT
DFHPPT TYPE=ENTRY
PROGRAM |MAPSET= name
[PGMLANG= ASM|COBOL|PLI]
[RES= NO|FIX|YES]
:
: other options
:
Eg.
DFHPPT TYPE=ENTRY,PROGRAM=TEST,
PGMLANG=COBOL

116
PCT Entry

DFHPCT TYPE=ENTRY
TRANSID= name
PROGRAM=name
TASKREQ=pf6
RESTART=yes/no ( TRANSEC = 1 to 64)
RSLKEY= 1 to 24 resource level key
SCTYKEY= 1 to 64 security key
:
:
other options

117
Program Control Commands

• LINK
• XCTL
• RETURN
• LOAD
• RELEASE

118
 LINK

• Used to pass control from one application program to another

• The calling program expects control to be returned to it
• Data can be passed to the called program using COMMAREA
• If the called program is not already in main storage it is loaded

119
LINK Syntax

EXEC CICS LINK

PROGRAM(name)
[COMMAREA(data-area)
[LENGTH(data-value)]]
END-EXEC.

Conditions : PGMIDERR, NOTAUTH, LENGERR

120
 XCTL

• To transfer control from one application program to another in

the same logical level
• The program from which control is transferred is released
• Data can be passed to the called program using COMMAREA
• If the called program is not already in main storage it is loaded

121
XCTL Syntax

EXEC CICS XCTL

PROGRAM(name)
[COMMAREA(data-area)
[LENGTH(data-value)]]
END-EXEC.

Conditions : PGMIDERR, NOTAUTH, LENGERR

122
 RETURN

• To return control from one application program to another at a

higher logical level or to CICS

• Data can be passed using COMMAREA when returning to CICS

to the next task

123
RETURN Syntax

EXEC CICS RETURN

[TRANSID(name)
[COMMAREA(data-area)
[LENGTH(data-value)]]]
END-EXEC.

Conditions : INVREQ, LENGERR

124
 CICS Level 0

PROG A Level 1
LINK
RETURN

PROG C Level 2
PROG B
XCTL LINK
RETURN

Level 3
Application Program
PROG D PROG E
Logic Levels
XCTL RETURN

125
 LOAD
• To load program/table/map from the CICS DFHRPL concatenation
library into the main storage
• Using load reduces system overhead
• Syntax :

EXEC CICS Load

Program(name)
[SET (pointer-ref)]
[LENGTH (data-area)]
END-EXEC.
Condition : NOTAUTH, PGMIDER

126
 RELEASE

• To RELEASE a loaded program/table/map

• Syntax :

EXEC CICS RELEASE

PROGRAM(name)
END-EXEC.

Conditions : PGMIDERR, NOTAUTH, INVREQ

127
 COMMAREA

• Data passed to called program using COMMAREA in LINK and

XCTL
• Calling program - Working Storage definition
• Called program - Linkage section definition under
DFHCOMMAREA
• Called program can alter data and this will automatically
available in calling program after the RETURN command
( need not use COMMAREA option in the return for this
purpose )
• EIBCALEN is set when COMMAREA is passed

128
 CICS - DB2

• CICS provides interface to DB2.

• DB2 requires “CICS Attachment Facility” to connect itself to
CICS
• CICS programs can issue commands for SQL services in order
to access the DB2 database.

EXEC SQL function

[options]
END-EXEC

129
 Operating system

CICS REGION DB2 REGION

App. Pgm. EXEC SQL.. CICS Attachment Facility

DB2
Database

DB2 Database access by CICS

130
 RCT Entry

• The CICS-to-DB2 connection is defined by creating and

assembling the resource control table (RCT)
• The information in RCT is used to control the interactions
between CICS & DB2 resources
• DB2 attachment facility provides a macro (DSNCRCT) to
generate the RCT.
• The RCT must be link-edited into a library that is accessible to
MVS

131
DB2 - Precompiler
Source Program (EXEC SQL...
| EXEC CICS...)
DB2 Precompiler
|
CICS command translator
|
Compile By COBOL
|
Linkedit by Linkage editor
|
Load Module

132
 Transient data Control

• Provides application programmer with a queuing facility

• Data can be stored/queued for subsequent internal or external
processing
• Stored data can be routed to symbolic destinations
• TDQs require a DCT entry
• Identified by Destination id - 1 to 4 bytes

133
 TDQs

• Intra-partitioned - association within the same CICS subsystem

Typical uses are
- ATI (Automatic Task Initiation) associated with trigger level
- Message switching
- Broadcasting etc

• Extra-partitioned - association external to the CICS subsystem, Can

associate with any sequential device - Tape, DASD, Printer etc
Typical uses are
- Logging data, statistics, transaction error messages
- Create files for subsequent processing by Non-CICS / Batch
programs.

134
 TDQs

• Operations

Write data to a transient data queue (WRITEQ TD)

Read data from a transient data queue (READQ TD)

Delete an intra partition transient data queue (DELETEQ TD).

135
 WRITEQ TD

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS WRITEQ TD
QUEUE(name)
FROM(data-area)
[LENGTH(data-value)]
[SYSID(systemname)]
END-EXEC.

Conditions: DISABLED, INVREQ, IOERR, ISCINVREQ,

LENGERR, NOSPACE, NOTAUTH, NOTOPEN, QIDERR,
SYSIDERR

136
 READQ TD

• Reads the queue destructively - Data record not available in the

queue after the read.
• Syntax :
EXEC CICS READQ TD
QUEUE(name)
{INTO(data-area) | SET(ptr-ref) }
[LENGTH(data-value)]
[NOSUSPEND]
END-EXEC.
Conditions : DISABLED, IOERR, INVREQ, ISCINVREQ,
LENGERR, NOTAUTH, NOTOPEN, QBUSY, QIDERR, QZERO,
SYSIDERR

137
 DELETEQ TD

• Deletes all entries in the queue

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS DELETEQ TD
QUEUE(name)
END-EXEC.

Conditions: INVREQ, ISCINVREQ, NOTAUTH,

QIDERR, SYSIDERR

138
 Destination Control Table

• DCT is to register the information of all TDQs

• Destination Control Program (DCP) uses DCT to identify all
TDQs and perform all I/O operations.
• DFHDCT is a macro to define intra & extra partition TDQs
TYPE=INTRA/EXTRA
• REUSE option specified along with intra partition TDQ tells
whether the space used by TDQ record will be removed &
reused after it has been read.

139
Automatic Task Initiation

• Facility through which a CICS transaction can be initiated

automatically
DFHDCT TYPE=INTRA
DESTID=MSGS
TRANSID=MSW1
TRIGLEV=500
When the number of TDQ records reaches 500, the
transaction MSW1 will be initiated automatically
• Applications
Message switching & Report printing

140
 Temporary Storage Control

• Provides application programmer the ability to store and retrieve

data in a TSQ
• Application can use the TSQ like a scratch pad
• TSQs are
- Created and deleted dynamically
- No CICS table entry required if recovery not required
- Identified by Queue id - 1 to 8 bytes
- Typically a combination of termid/tranid/operid
• Each record in TSQ identified by relative position, called the item
number

141
 TSQs

• Operations
– Write and Update data
– Read data - Sequential and random
– Delete the queue
• Access
– Across transactions
– Across terminals
• Storage
– Main - Non-recoverable
– Auxiliary - Recoverable
– TST entry required, VSAM file DFHTEMP

142
TSQs - Typical uses

• Data passing among transactions

• Terminal Paging

• Report printing

143
 WRITEQ TS

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS WRITEQ TS
QUEUE(name)
FROM(data-area)
[LENGTH(data-value)]
[NUMITEMS(data-area) |
ITEM(data-area) [REWRITE] ]
[MAIN|AUXILIARY]
[NOSUSPEND]
END-EXEC.

Conditions : ITEMERR, LENGERR, QIDERR, NOSPACE, NOTAUTH,

SYSIDERR, IOERR, INVREQ, ISCINVREQ
144
 READQ TS

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS READQ TS
QUEUE(name)
{INTO(data-area) | SET(ptr-ref) }
LENGTH(data-value)
[NUMITEMS(data-area)]
[ITEM(data-area) | NEXT ]
END-EXEC.

Conditions : ITEMERR, LENGERR, QIDERR, NOTAUTH,

SYSIDERR, IOERR, INVREQ, ISCINVREQ

145
 DELETEQ TS

• Deletes all entries in the queue

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS DELETEQ TS
QUEUE(name)
END-EXEC.

Conditions: INVREQ, ISCINVREQ, NOTAUTH, QIDERR,

SYSIDERR

146
 ASKTIME

• Used to obtain current date and time

• Syntax :
EXEC CICS ASKTIME[ABSTIME(data-area)]
END-EXEC.

• EIBDATE and EIBTIME updated with current date and time

• ABSTIME returns value of time in packed decimal format

147
FORMATTIME
• Syntax :
EXEC CICS FORMATTIME ABSTIME(data-ref)
[YYDDD(data-area)]
[YYMMDD(data-area)]... etc.
[DATE(data-area) [DATEFORM[(data-area)]]]
[DATESEP[(data-value)]]
[DAYOFMONTH(data-area)]
[MONTHOFYEAR(data-area)]
[YEAR(data-area)].....
[TIME(data-area) [TIMESEP[(data-value)]]]
END-EXEC.

Condition: INVREQ 148

 DELAY

• Used to DELAY the processing of a task

• The issuing task is suspended for a specified interval or Until the
specified time
• Syntax :
EXEC CICS DELAY
INTERVAL(hhmmss) | TIME(hhmmss)
END-EXEC

Conditions: EXPIRED, INVREQ

149
START
• Used to start a transaction at the specified terminal and at the
specified time or interval
• Data can be passed to the new transaction
• Syntax :
EXEC CICS START
TRANSID(transid)
[TERMID(termid)
TIME(hhmmss) | INTERVAL(hhmmss) ]
END-EXEC

Conditions : INVREQ, LENGERR,TERMIDERR, TRANSIDERR

150
 Other Interval Control
Commands
• POST - to request notification when the specified time has
expired.
• WAIT EVENT - to wait for an event to occur.
• RETRIEVE - Used to retrieve the data passed by the START
• CANCEL -Used to cancel the Interval Control requests. eg.
DELAY,POST and START identified by REQID.
• SUSPEND - Used to suspend a task
• ENQ - to gain exclusive control over a resource
• DNQ - to free the exclusive control from the resource gained by
ENQ

151
 The Need for Recovery/Restart

• The possible failures that can occur outside the CICS system are
Communication failures (in online systems)
Data set or database failures
Application or system program failures
Processor failures & Power supply failures.

• Recovery/Restart facilities are required to minimize or if possible,

eliminate the damage done to the online system, in case of the
above failures to maintain the system & data integrity.

152
 RECOVERY

• An attempt to come back to where the CICS system or the

transaction was when the failure occurred

• Recoverable Resources
VSAM files
Intrapartition TDQ
TSQ in the auxiliary storage
DATA tables
Resource definitions & System definition files

153
 RESTART

• To resume the operation of the CICS system or the transaction when

the recovery is completed

154
Facilities for Recovery/Restart

Facilities for CICS Recovery/Restart

• Dynamic Transaction Backout

• Automatic Transaction Restart
• Resource Recovery Using System Log
• Resource Recovery Using Journal
• System Restart
• Extended Recovery Facility (XRF)

155
 Dynamic Transaction Backout
(DTB)
• When the transaction fails, backing out the changes made by
the transaction while the rest of the CICS system continues
normally is called DTB

• CICS automatically writes the ‘before image’ information of the

record into the dynamic log for the duration of one LUW ,the
work between the two consecutive SYNC points

• When an ABEND occurs, CICS automatically recovers all

recoverable resources using the info. in dynamic log (Set
DTB=YES in PCT)

156
 LUW & SYNC point

• The period between the start of a particular set of changes and

the point at which they are complete is called a logical unit of
work - LUW
• The end of a logical unit of work is indicated to CICS by a
synchronization point (sync pt).
• Intermediate SYNC pt. can be done by
• Syntax :
EXEC CICS SYNCPOINT
[ROLLBACK]
END-EXEC

157
 LUWs & SYNC pts

|- - - - - - - - - - - - LUW - - - - - - - - - |
Task A|---------------------------------------------|
SOT EOT-SP

|- - - LUW- - |- - - LUW- - |- - -LUW- - |

Task B|---------------->--------------->--------------|
SOT SP SP EOT-SP

When the failure occurs, changes made within the abending

LUW will be backed out.

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 Automatic Transaction Restart

• CICS capability to automatically restart a transaction after all

resources are recovered through DTB

• If the transaction requires automatic restart facility, set

RESTART=YES in PCT

• Care should be taken in order to restart the task at the point

where DTB completes in the case of intermediate SYNC point

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 Introduction

• Preparing a Program to run in CICS Environment.

• Defining the Program in the CICS Region.
• Executing the Program.

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Program preparation
IF DB2 :

SOURCE

DB2
PRECOMPILER

CICS
COMPILER

COBOL
COMPILER

LOAD LINK
MODULE EDIT

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Preparing a Program

CICS requires the following steps to prepare a program

• Translating the Program.

• Assemble or Compile the Translator Output. &
• Link the Program.

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 Translation

• Translates the ‘EXEC CICS’ Statements into the Statements

your Language (COBOL) Compiler can Understand.
• The Translator gives two outputs, a Program Listing as
SYSPRINT and a Translated Source in SYSPUNCH.
• The SYSPUNCH is given as the input to the Program Compiler.
• If any Copy Books are used in the Program, there should not be
any CICS Statements in the Copy Book.

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 Compiling or Linking

• As the CICS Commands have been translated, the compilation

of the CICS program is the same as language program.

• Hence, the compiler options can be specified as required.

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 Defining the Program

• The Application should be defined and installed into the PPT.

• This can be done either by using CEDA trans or DFHPPT.

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 CESN/CESF Transactions

• To sign on to CICS system

• CESN [USERID=userid] [,PS=password]
[,NEWPS=newpassword][,LANGUAGE=l]
• Userid & password values can be from 1-8 chars.
• In RACF, the Userid given in CESN is verified.
• NEWPS to change the password and LANGUAGE to choose
national language
• Sign off by CESF which breaks the connection between the user
and CICS
• If the Sign on is done twice for the same userid at the terminal,
the previous operator will be signed off

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 CECI - Command Level
Interpreter
• To build and test the effect of EXEC CICS commands
• CECI ASSIGN is used to get the current userid,sysid, terminal id,
application id etc..
• Before using the maps in programs, it can be tested using CECI
to check how it appears on the screen.
• CECI gives the complete command syntax of the specified
command.
• CECI READQ TD QUEUE(TESTL001) will read the current
record of the given TDQ

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 CEMT-Master Terminal
Transaction

CEMT provides the following services

• Displays the status of CICS & system resources

• Alter the status of CICS & system resources
• Remove the installed resource definitions
• Perform few functions that are not related to resources

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 CEDF-Execution Diagnostic
Facility
• To test command level application programs interactively
• CEDF [termid/sysid/sessionid] [,ON/,OFF]
• Termid - the identifier of the terminal on which the transaction to
be tested is being run
• Sessionid - To test/monitor a transaction attached across an
MRO/ISC session
• Sysid - To test a transaction across an APPC session

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CEDF (Contd..)

The points at which EDF interrupts execution of the program and

sends a display to the terminal
• At transaction initialization, after EIB has been initialized and
before the app. pgm given control
• Start of execution of each CICS command (auguement
values can be changed at this point)
• End of execution of each CICS command and before the
Handle condition mechanism is invoked (response code
values can be changed)
• At program termination & at normal task termination
• When an ABEND occurs & at abnormal task termination.
• EIB values can be changed..& CEBR can be invoked

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 CEBR-Temporary Storage
Browse
• To browse the contents of CICS temporary storage queues
(TSQ)
• CEBR by default will show the queue associated with the current
terminal ‘CEBRL001’ which can be overridden to view any other
queue
• TERM to browse TSQ for another terminal
• QUEUE to make the named queue, current
• PUT to copy the current queue contents into TDQ
• GET to fetch TDQ for browsing
• PURGE erases the contents of the current queue

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Exercise - 2

172