CICS Training at UF

09-16-2005, 14:30 - 16:30
UF Bridges Dames Point Conference Room
Union Street Station, Downtown Gainesville, FL
Presenter: Steve Ware, CNS

http://cics.ufl.edu/cics_training_20050916.html

Agenda proposed by Irma and Keith:

  Topics of Interest:
  1 - Overview of CICS Control Tables 
      I plan on reviewing the definition of these tables
      from the CICS books that we have before your training,
      but Keith was interested in knowing if there's any
      tools that will allow us to view the contents of the
      tables.

  2 - Daily maintenance cycles
      So they can understand when source changes in 
      production region(s).

  3 - CICS tools
      DYNU, CEDF, Intertest, and Omegamon - 
      I know this is a very broad range of tools, but, I
      can come up with a more specific list of questions
      and forward them to you before the 16th.

Before we get into the proposed agenda noted above...
- This session should be as interactive as possible, and plans are to attempt to demo everything mentioned below. Please ask questions, and ask for more detail if desired, etc.
- Local system info.:
  - IBM CICS TS for z/OS 2.3.
  - IBM z/OS 1.4 operating system.
  - IBM zSeries z800 2066-002 mainframe:
    2 CPUs (5 in the box), 3 LPARs configured,
    16GB memory, 1.6 TB "Shark" SAN,
    z/Architecture mode (ARCHLVL = 2, 64-bit),
    Crypto Co-processors enabled - secure telnet,
    ftp, web services, etc., are supported.
  - RACF is ESM, JES2 is job entry subsystem,
    DB2 7.1 is relational database subsystem, etc.
  - Future plans include z/OS 1.6 (1.7?), and CICS TS 3.1 (3.2?).
- Secure tn3270 (telnet 3270) access:
  - host nermvs.cns.ufl.edu, port 992
  - Hummingbird HostExplorer, with security/SSL packages.
  - x3270, for Linux and Unix.
  - Other?
- Local CICS site:
  - http://cics.ufl.edu/
- IBM CICS site:
  - http://www.ibm.com/cics
    - There is a wealth of CICS related information at this site.
    - Select "Library" to navigate to the CICS Information Center links noted below.
- Local CICS language support:
  - IBM Enterprise COBOL compiler (fully supported).
  - IBM High Level Assembler (fully supported).
  - IBM C/C++ compiler (C++ compiler only).
    Note that CA-InterTest does not support C/C++.
  - Java (limited support today - needs local customization).
  - REXX for CICS (limited support today - needs local customization).
- CICS related sample code and info. in OS (MVS) datasets:
  - 'CICS.USER.SAMPLIB' - local samples, etc.
  - 'CICS.USER.SDFHSAMP' - IBM supplied CICS sample library.
  - 'CICS.USER.SCAVSAMP' - IBM supplied SOAP for CICS sample library.
  - 'SYS1.SEZAINST(EZACICS*)' - IBM supplied TCP/IP installation/sample library.
- Local softcopy publications, etc.:
  - http://booksrv.cns.ufl.edu/
    IP restricted due to license requirements.
    - CICS Collection:
      - CICS Transaction Server, CA-InterTest, Omegamon for CICS, etc.
      - IBM CICS (Transaction Processing) Redbooks
      - Etc.
- Local CICS Information Center(s):
  - http://softserv.cns.ufl.edu:23000/
    for CICS TS 2.3 (September 2005) -
    UF Private IP or VPN required to access.
  - http://softserv.cns.ufl.edu:31000/
    for CICS TS 3.1 (September 2005) -
    UF Private IP or VPN required to access.
- Remote IBM CICS Information Center(s):
  - http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/cicsts23/index.jsp
    for CICS TS 2.3.
  - http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/cicsts31/index.jsp
    for CICS TS 3.1.
- Local CICS Messages and Codes (CMAC):
  - CMAC transid from a clear screen in CICS (3270-based).
    - Does not require that you be signed on to CICS.
  - https://nermvs.nerdc.ufl.edu:3006/CICS/CWBA/DFHWBTTC/CMAC
    - Using CMAC via the CICS Web Interface - requires a valid RACF userid.
- Local CICS Transaction Dump Processing System:
  - Propose a follow-up session to discuss in detail.
  - See http://cics.ufl.edu/trandump.html for UF CNS CICS Transaction Dump Processing, Debugging, and Problem Determination information.
- CICS Web Support/CICS Web Services:
  - Propose a follow-up session to discuss in detail.
  - SOA: Service Oriented Architecture
  - Possible alternative to CICS Socket Interface for web based CICS apps.
  - Support for inbound and outbound http/https requests.
  - Direct access to CICS from a web browser (http/https).
  - Utilize CICS API, via EXEC CICS WEB commands.
  - "CICS Web Interface", the "3270 Bridge", and "Link3270 (Linkable Bridge)".
- CICS Application Programming - "New Info. and Best Practices":
  - Propose a follow-up session to discuss in detail.
    (Combine with CICS Web Support/Web Services session?)
  - "Threadsafe" considerations, especially for CICS DB2 programs.
  - RESP code checking much more efficient that HANDLE CONDITION.
  - Newer CICS API commands and concepts:
    BTS - Business Transaction Services
    CHANNELS and CONTAINERS instead of COMMAREAs
    DOCUMENT API
    Java, JCICS classes, and JVMs in CICS
    WEB API
Overview of CICS Control Blocks and Tables:
(Agenda Item #1.)
- CICS Domains:
  - cics_domains.html
- Important CICS Control Blocks and Tables:
  - CSA (Common System Area)
  - CWA (Common Work Area)
  - EIB (Exec Interface Block)
  - DCT (Destination Control Table - Transient Data Queues)
  - FCT (File Control Table - VSAM (and BDAM) files)
  - PCT (Program Control Table - transaction definitions)
  - PPT (Processing Program Table- program definitions)
  - RCT (DB2 Resource Control Table)
  - SIT (System Initialization Table)
  - TCA (Task Control Area)
  - TCT (Terminal Control Table)
  - TCTTE (Terminal Control Table Terminal Entry)
  - And many more.
- Omegamon "tables" major command.
- CA-InterTest "core" transaction.
Daily maintenance cycles:
(Agenda Item #2.)
- CICS request/memo processing overview:
  - We re-IPL our prod. z/OS LPAR every other (non-payroll) week, currently.
  - We have processes and procedures in place to handle CICS 24x7 operation. Currently, only CICSPRD4 and CICSPRD5 run in "near 24x7" mode. We would like to discontinue the daily reload of CICSPRD1.
  - We make application changes to CICS almost daily.
  - We make system changes to CICS "as needed" (infrequently).
    We typically do internal testing, then dev./test region
    testing, then test/QA testing, and finally, prod. install.
  - We handle emergency requests on a case by case basis.
  - Please send CICS request email to the entire CICS Systems Group:
    cicsgrp@cns.ufl.edu
  - Prod. and dev./test requests must be separate.
    - See 'CICS.USER.SAMPLIB(CICSMEMO)' for a prod. skeleton request.
    - See 'CICS.USER.SAMPLIB(DELTMEMO)' for a skeleton delete/clean-up request.
    - See 'CICS.USER.SAMPLIB(HELPMEMO)' for help with the memo/request processing.
    - See 'CICS.USER.SAMPLIB(TESTMEMO)' for a test skeleton request.
    - Prod. requests have priority, then dev./test requests, then delete/clean-up requests. Requests submitted correctly on the first attempt get highest priority ;-).
    - Request processing is automated, with some basic validation and sanity checking.
  - CNS maintains repositories of all prod. source and copy code.
  - CNS maintains repositories of all prod. compilation/assembly listings.
  - Prod. regions only have prod. loadlib.
  - Test/QA regions have prod. staging loadlib (CICS.TEST.DGLIB), then development group test loadlibs, then the prod. loadlib.
  - Dev./test regions do not have the prod. staging loadlib.
  - We have a prod. and a test DBRMLIB for CICS DB2 programs.
CICS tools:
(Agenda Item #3.)
- Local file "Dynamic Allocation System":
  - DYNU - access by ddname/FCT entry name.
    "DYNamic allocation for Users" transaction.
    (Security is via RACF userid and local dataset controlling id.)
    Enhancements to this local system are on the "to do" list.
  - DYNN - browse by dataset name.
  - NE4F - invokes DCCUDYNL (see BLU2 below).
    Originally written by UF OUR to utilize DCCUDYNL - now maintained by CNS. Non-BMS, 3270-based transaction.
    Syntax:
    - NE4F,&option,&resource
      &option=OPEN|CLOSE|FSERV|RONLY for DDNAME
      &option=ENABLE|DISABLE for TRANSID
      &resource=FCT Entry Name (DDNAME) or
      &resource=PCT Entry Name (TRANSID)
    Return codes/messages:
    - NO DDNAME SPECIFIED
    - INVREQ ERROR.
    - OK
    - FAIL
    Note: FSERV = Full SERVice (READ, UPDATE, ADD, DELETE, BROWSE)
    Note: RONLY = Read ONLY (READ, BROWSE)
    Note: File must be OPEN to use FSERV|RONLY.
  - Security:
    Same as for DYNU|DYNN.
  - DCCUDYNL subroutine - to avoid need for SHAREOPTIONS(3,3), etc.
    - OPEN/CLOSE files
    - ENABLE/DISABLE transactions
    - Set VSAM files to READ/BROWSE ONLY, and/or FULL SERVICE
    - Be sure to check RESP/RESP2 code(s) to HANDLE conditions such as
    - CLOSED, DISABLED, NOSPACE, etc.
    - Note: See CICS.$MACLIB(CICSCOML) for invocation and COMMAREA details.
- CEDF - IBM supplied "CICS Execution Diagnostic Facility" transaction.
  - For terminal tasks.
  - Provides breakpoints at program initiation, termination, and at EXEC commands.
- CEDX - IBM supplied CEDF "eXtended" transaction.
  - For non-terminal tasks.
  - Syntax:
    - CEDX &transaction,ON|OFF
      &transaction is the target transaction to debug/diagnose.
- BLU2 - local batch LU2.
  - See 'CICS.USER.SAMPLIB(BLU2EXEC)' for sample JCL.
  - Note: BLU2 does not support BMS (Basic Mapping Support).
- ASUB - local batch job submission from CICS:
```
EXEC CICS START            . START TRANSACTION 
     TRANSID('ASUB')       . TRANSID = 'ASUB"                       
     FROM(JOBSTREAM-AREA)  . "N" 80-BYTE RECORDS, N <= MAXSIZE 
     LENGTH(JOBSTREAM-LEN) . 80*N                          

MAXSIZE  EQU   80*409      . MAXIMUM JOBSTREAM SIZE
    
      
```
- CA-InterTest for CICS (Interactive Testing tool - 3270 based).
  - ITST - main CA-InterTest transaction.
  - HELP - all CA-InterTest doc. is available via this transid.
  - CORE - look at storage (core).
  - CNTL - main CA-InterTest CoNTroL monitoring transaction.
  - LIST - list programs in VSAM symbolic file.
  - FILE - manipulate VSAM, DB2, and/or temp. storage (TS) resources.
  - DEC2 - DEmo for VS COBOL II (compiler no longer supported at CNS)
  - DEMA - DEMo for Assembler
  - DEMC - DEMo for OS/VS COBOL (compiler no longer supported at CNS)
  - DEMP - DEMo for PL/I (not suported at CNS)
  - DEMV - DEMo for COBOL for MVS (compiler no longer supported at CNS)
  - DE37 - DEmo for COBOL for COBOL/370 (compiler no longer supported at CNS)
  - DE39 - DEmo for Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and OS/390 (supported at CNS)
- Omegamon for CICS - real time CICS monitor.
  (We only run the "Classic" interface.)
  - Was from !Candle, recently bought by IBM - now "IBM Tivoli" product.
  - Requirements:
    - CICS.USER.CLIST in SYSPROC concatenation.
    - CICS.USER.ISPPLIB in ISPPLIB concatenation.
    - %koclist to access, from TSO/ISPF option 6 - command.
    - FIRST SCREEN===> OCINIT00
      for PF keys to work, like PF11 = zoom.
  - Some useful Omegamon major commands:
    - menu
      Access Omegamon Help/News/Index from "menu" screen.
    - main
      Our primary local "Exception Analysis" and "Task List" screen.
    - tables
      (tabl minor command)
    - dumps
      Lists system then transaction dumps.
    - aids
    - csa
    - db2
    - ices
    - sit
    - tempstor
  - Some useful Omegamon minor commands:
    - kill (access from menu -> t (for tasks) -> g (for kill).
      
      Be *very* careful (one strike - and you're OUT!).
  - A "/" in front of a minor command provides command syntax/help info.
  - PF 11 - Zoom key.
  - RACF group controlled, by CICS region.

Last updated: 11-30-2005, by Steve Ware.