CICS TS, or the "Customer Information ControlSystem" Transaction Server of IBM, is a popular transaction manager for (principally) graphical applications on z/OS.

In this workshop,

• you'll get an overview of the different CICS TS components which are related to the building of applications;
• you become familiar with the different aspects of working in a CICS environment by using this information and by doing exercises;
• 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/I using CICS "command level" instructions.

• 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

About half of the time is spent on doing exercises on terminal.

Delivered as a live, interactive training – available in-person or online, or in a hybrid format. Training can be implemented in English, Dutch, or French.

The students should be experienced in COBOL (see COBOL programming - part 1) or PL/I (see PL/I programming: fundamentals course). No knowledge of CICS is required.

Application programmers who need to develop CICS applications using 'command level' instructions.