INTRODUCTION TO CICS CONCEPTS

• We discuss on-line processing, what CICS is and how it fits into the DP environment.
• Basic terminology is explained including Pseudo-conversational programming (what it is, how we code it). Transaction and program concepts are introduced.
• CICS command format syntax is covered in detail.

EXCEPTION PROCESSING

• HANDLE CONDITION command, options and techniques.
• The RESP option is presented showing structured programming in CICS.
• Future exception processing trends options and techniques are presented.
• HANDLE AID command.
• Execute Interface Block is explained together with DFHAID.

TERMINAL COMMUNICATIONS

• Telecommunications concepts and VTAM are introduced. 3270 processing fundamentals are explained.
• Data transmission via maps is presented, and Basic Mapping Support (BMS) to build maps is introduced (map generators are discussed).

BASIC MAPPING SUPPORT

• Physical Map and DSECT concepts are explained.
• Defining a Mapset, the DFHMSD macro, with its options and defaults.
• Defining a Map, the DFHMDI macro, with its options and defaults.
• Defining a Field, the DFHMDF macro, with its options and defaults.

MAP COMMANDS

• The SEND MAP command to output the BMS map with its functions is explained.
• The MAPONLY/DATAONLY concepts to reduce transmission costs are offered.
• The RECEIVE MAP command to input data Pseudo-conversationally.
• DSECT copybook fields are explained in detail. The length, attribute and erased flags along with the input and output data fields are discussed. Extended attributes (color, highlighting etc.) are presented.
• The use of Modified Data Tags (MDT) is discussed.

FILE OPERATIONS

• VSAM file concepts are introduced. CICS/VSAM interaction is explained.
• KSDS/ESDS/RRDS file commands (READ, WRITE etc.) along with their options are explained.
• Record Level locking and simultaneous updating problems are explained.
• Generic DELETE pitfalls are shown.
• BROWSE functions (forward and backward) are presented.

TEMPORARY STORAGE

• An overview of Temporary Storage, which will emphasize the scratch pad concept, is presented along with examples.
• The commands and problems with suggested solutions are presented.
• CEBR is explained.
• Future changes in Temporary Storage are explained.

TRANSIENT DATA

• INTRAPARTITION and EXTRAPARTITION queues are explained and differences set out.
• The TRIGGER LEVER and REUSE=YES are discussed together with how many companies currently use them.
• How TD queues are created through Destination Control Table entries (DCT) is covered.
• The WRITEQ TD, READQ TD and DELETQ TD commands are explained with examples.

INTERNAL CONTROL

• INTERVAL and TIME options to commands are explained.
• The need for asynchronous processing (multi-threading) is discussed.
• START, RETRIEVE, DELAY, CANCEL, ASKTIME, FORMATTIME commands are covered.
• START vs. RETURN IMMEDIATE is debated.

CICS TRANSACTIONS

• An overview of the CICS Supplied application Transactions is given.
• CEMT is explained, with its dangers.
• CEDF is used in a hands-on environment.
• CEDX is explained.
• CECI concepts are shown.
• CMAC is used to analyze DFH messages and Abend codes.
• CRTE is explained.

SUMMARY

• A review of the concepts and commands is given.
• Sample programs are walked through.
• The future of CICS is discussed.
• Time is left for general discussion.