Q1)    What are the six different types of argument values in COBOL that can be placed in various options of a CICS command?

A1)

• ·Data Value   – EX (Literal 8 or 77 KEYLEN PIC S9(4) COMP VALUE 8.)
• ·Data Area    – EX  (01 RECORD-AREA.

05 FIELD1 PIC X(5). )

• ·Pointer-Ref           – EX (05 POINTER-I PIC S9(8) COMP. )
• ·Name                   – EX (05 FILE-NAME PIC X(5) VALUE ‘FILEA’. )
• ·Label          – Cobol paragraph name
• ·HHMMSS      – EX (77 TIMEVAL PIC S9(7) COMP3. )

Q2)    Kindly specify the PIC clause for the following

Any BLL Cell, Data type of Length Option field, HHMMSS type of data fields

A2)     Any BLL Cell                          –  S9(8) COMP

Data type of Length Option field         –  S9(4) COMP

HHMMSS type of data fields      –  S9(7) COMP3

Q3)    Specify CICS transaction initiation process. (From the perspective of CICS control programs and control tables.)

A3)     TCP places data in TIOA and corresponding entry into TCT.

KCP acquires the transaction identifier from TIOA and verifies if it is present in PCT.

SCP acquires Storage in Task Control Area (TCA), in which KCP prepares control data for the task.

KCP then loads the application programs mentioned in PCT by looking for it in PPT.

If resident – real storage memory location is not present in the PPT the control is passed to PCP that loads the application programs from the physical storage location address given in PPT. The control is then passed to the application program (LOAD module).

Q4)    List the sequence of steps used to achieve “Modification in Skip Sequential Mode.”

A4)

I.   READNEXT command

II.  Issue the ENDBR command

III. Issue the READ command with UDTAE option.

IV. Manipulate the record (DELETE or REWRITE command)

V.  Issue START command

VI. Issue two READNEXT commands (One for dummy skip)

VII.     Go to step two.

Q5)    Specify the requirements for Automatic Task Initiation. (Mention the control table, it’s entries and the corresponding Procedure division CICS command).

A5)     DFHDCT    TYPE=INTRA,

DESTID=MSGS,

TRANSID=MSW1,

TRIGLEV=1000

 

EXEC CICS WRITEQ TD

QUEUE(‘MSGS’),

FROM(DATA-AREA),

LENGTH(MSG_LEN)

END-EXEC.

Q6)    What are the commands used to gain exclusive control over a resource (for Ex a Temporary storage queue.)?

A6)     EXEC CICS ENQ                       EXEC CICS DEQ

RESOURCE(QID)                           RESOURCE(QID)

END-EXEC                                   END-EXEC

Q7)    What is the EIB parameter and the CICS command used to implement Pseudo-Conversational technique using single PCT – Single PPT entry?

A7)          EIBCALEN – To check if COMMAREA has been passed in terurn command.

EXEC CICS RETURN

TRANSID(data-name)

COMMAREA(data-area)

LENGTH(data-value)

END-EXEC

Q8)    Mention the 5 fields available in the symbolic map for every ‘NAMED’ field in the DFHMDI macro? Give a brief description of these fields (Not exceeding a line).

A8)     FIELD+L         – Return the length of text entered (or for dymanic cursor positioing)

FIELD+F         – Returns X(80) if data entered but erased.

FIELD+A        – Used for attributes reading and setting

FIELD+I         – Used for reading the text entered while receiving the map.

FIELD+O        – Used for sending information on  to the MAP.

Q9)    What are the two ways of breaking a CPU bound process to allow other tasks to gain access to CPU.

A9)     EXEC CICS DELAY                                   EXEC CICS DELAY

INTERVAL(hhmmss)                                    TIME(hhmmss)

END-EXEC                                            END-EXEC

POST and WAIT commands also achieve the same result.

Q10)     How do you initiate another transaction? The transaction initiated should be in a position to retrieve

information pertaining to which transaction has initiated it and from which terminal. (Code the required CICS

commands)

A10)   EXEC CICS START

INTERVAL(hhmmss)/TIME(hhmmss)

TRANSID(‘TRAN’)

TERMID(‘TRM1)

FROM(data-area)

                   LENGTH(data-value)

                   RTRANSID(EIBTRNID)

                   RTERMID(EIBTRMID)

END-EXEC

EXEC CICS RETRIEVE

INTO(data-area)

LENGTH(data-value)

RTRANSID(data-name)

RTERMID(data-name)

END-EXEC

Q11)     Mention the option (along with argument type) used in a CICS command to retrieve the response code after

execution of the command.

A11)      RESP( S9(8) COM.)

Q12)     What’s the CICS command used to access current date and time?

A12)      ASKTIME.

Q13)     Into what fields will the date and time values be moved after execution of the above command?

A13)      EIBDATE & EIBTIME.

Q14)     How do you terminate an already issued DELAY command?

A14)      EXEC CICS CANCEL

REQID(id)

END-EXEC

Q15)     How do you dynamically set the CURSOR position to a specific field?

A15)   MOVE -1 to FIELD+L field. Mention CURSOR option in the SEND command.

Q16)     Which option of the PCT entry is used to specify the PF key to be pressed for initiating a transaction?

A16)      TASKREQ=PF1

Q17)     Specify the CICS command used to read a VSAM record starting with prefix “F”. Code all the relevant options.

A17)   EXEC CICS READ

DATASET(‘FILENAME’)

INTO(data-area)

RIDFLD(data-area)

KEYLENGTH(1)

GENERIC

LENGTH(WK-LEN)

END-EXEC.

Q18)     Mention the option used in the CICS READ command to gain accessibility directly to the file I/O area. (Assume

COBOL-II).

A18)      SET(ADDRESS OF LINKAGE-AREA).

Q19)     Which command is used to release a record on which exclusive control is gained?

A19)   EXEC CICS UNLOCK END-EXEC.

Q20)     How do you establish a starting position in a browse operation?

A20)   EXEC CICS STARTBR———- END-EXEC.

 

Q21)     What is the option specified in the read operation to gain multiple concurrent operations on the same dataset?

A21)      REQID(value).

Q22)     What is the CICS command that gives the length of TWA area?

A22)   EXEC CICS ASSIGN

TWALENG(data-value)

END-EXEC.

Q23)     What are the attribute values of Skipper and Stopper fields?

A23)      ASKIP, PROT.

Q24)     How do you set the MDT option to ‘ON’ status,  even if data is not entered?

A24)   Mention FSET option in DFHMDF or set it dynamically in the program using FIELD+A attribute field.

 

Q25)     What option is specified in the SEND command to send only the unnamed fields on to the screen?

A25)   MAPONLY_______________.

 

Q26)     Which CICS service transaction is used to gain accessibility to CICS control tables? Mention the one that has

the highest priority.

A26)   CEDA

 

Q27)     What is the most common way of building queue-id of a TSQ? (Name the constituents of the Queue ID).

A27)      TERMID+TRANSACTION-ID.

Q28)     Into which table is the terminal id registered?

A28)      TCT.

Q29)     How and where is the TWA size set? .

A29)      TWASIZE=300 in PCT table.

Q30)     Which transient data queue supports ATI?

A30)      INTRA-PARTITION  Data queue.

Q31)     Code the related portions of CICS/COBOL-I programs to gain addressability to TWA area assigned to a

particular task. Assume that the size of TWA area is 300 bytes. What are the advantages if COBOL-II is used

in the place of COBOL? Code the above requirement in COBOL-II.

A31)

COBOL- II PROGRAM

LINKAGE SECTION.

01      PARMLIST.

02      FILLER PIC S9(8) COMP.

02      TWA-PTR S(98) COMP.

01      TWA-DATA-LAYOUT.

02      DATA-AREA    PIC X(300).

PROCEDURE DIVISION.

……….

EXEC CICS ADDRESS

TWA(TWA-PTR)

END-EXEC

SERVISE RELOAD TWA-DATA-LAYOUT.

COBOL- II PROGRAM

LINKAGE SECTION.

01      TWA-DATA-LAYOUT.

05      DATA-AREA    PIC X(300).

PROCEDURE DIVISION.

……….

EXEC CICS ADDRESS

TWA(ADDRESS OF  TWA-DATA-LAYOUT)

END-EXEC

………

Q32)     Code a program meeting the following requirements.

‘EMPS’ is a transaction used to return information pertaining to an employee when the “EMPID” is entered on the screen. The information pertaining to an employee is present in a VSAM/KSDS dataset registered in FCT as “EMPINFOR”. The map and the working storage section of the emp-info are given for reference. If the employee id is found the information has to be sent to the screen (Status field) with the message “Emp Id: XXX found.”. If the emp-id key is not found then status field should array the message “Key not found.”  and the ‘EMP ID” field should be set to bright. If the Exit option is set to “Y” then the task has to terminated. Use pseudo-conversation technique three (Single PCT and PPT). 

EMPLOYEE INFORMATION FORM

EMP ID : XXX

EMP NAME   : @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

EMP DESIG  : @@@@@                 SEX : @

DEPARTMENT : @@@@@@@@@@

SALARY     : $$$$$$$

STATUS     : @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

EXIT : X

X – Input Field

@ – Output field (Alphanumeric)

$ –  Output field (Numeric)

Mapname – EMPFORM

Mapsetname – EMPFORM

Label given to various ‘named’ fields on the DFHMDF macro while defining the map shown above. EMPID, EMPNAME, EMPDESIG, DEPART, SEX, SALARY, STATUS and EXITINP.

Structure of the VSAM/KSDS file.

Working-Storage Section.

01 EMP-IOAREA.

05 EMP-REC.

10 EMP-KEY   PIC XXX.

10 EMP-NAME PIC X(32).

10 EMP-SEX PIC X.

10 EMP-DEPT PIC X(10)

10 EMP-DESIG PIC X(5).

10 EMP-SAL PIC 9(7).

A32)      COBOL-II PROGRAM.

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.

77      LENGTH-OF-AREA     PIC  S9(4) COMP.

77        WS-RCODE             PIC  S9(8) COMP.

01      STATUS.

02 NORMAL.

05           FILLER PIC X(8) VALUE ‘EMP ID: ‘.

05      EMP-ID          PIC X(3).

05      FILLER          PIC X(6) VALUE ‘FOUND’.

02 ABNORMAL REDEFINES NORMAL.

05      ABMSG          PIC X(17).

01 EMP-IOAREA.

05      EMP-REC.

10      EMP-KEY       PIC XXX.

10      EMP-NAME     PIC X(32).

10      EMP-SEX        PIC X.

10      EMP-DEPT      PIC X(10)

10      EMP-DESIG     PIC X(5).

10      EMP-SAL        PIC 9(7).

LINKAGE SECTION.

01      DFHCOMMAREA.

05      INPVAL                   PIC X(3).

PROCEDURE DIVISION.

………..

IF EIBCALEN=0

EXEC CICS SEND

MAP(‘EMPFORM’)

MAPSET(‘EMPFORM’)

ERASE

END-EXEC.

MOVE 3 TO LENGTH-OF-AREA

EXEC CICS RETURN

TRANSID(‘EMPS’)

COMMAREA(‘SEC’)

LENGTH(DATA-VALUE)

END-EXEC.

ELSE IF          INPVAL = ’SEC’

EXEC CICS RECEIVE

MAP(‘EMPFORM’)

MAPSET(‘EMPFORM’)

END-EXEC.

EXEC CICS READ

DATASET(‘EMPINFOR’)

INTO(EMP-IOAREA)

RIDFLD(EMPIDI)

LENGTH(LENGTH-OF-AREA)

RESP(WS-RCODE)

END-EXEC.

IF WS-RCODE NOT = DFHRESP(NORMAL)

MOVE ‘KEY NOT FOUND’ TO ABMSG’

MOVE DFHBMBRY TO EMPIDA

ELSE

MOVE EMP-NAME  TO EMPNAMEO

MOVE EMP-SEX TO SEXO

MOVE EMP-DESIG TO EMPDESIGO

MOVE EMP-SAL TO SALARY

MOVE EMP-DEPT TO DEPARTO

MOVE EMP-KEY TO EMP-ID

MOVE STATUS TO STATUSO.

EXEC CICS SEND     

MAP(‘EMPFORM’)

MAPSET(‘EMPFORM’)

ERASE

END-EXEC.

MOVE 3 TO LENGTH-OF-AREA

EXEC CICS RETURN

TRANSID(‘EMPS’)

COMMAREA(‘SEC’)

LENGTH(LENGTH-OF-AREA)

END-EXEC.

EXEC CICS RETURN

END-EXEC.

ELSE IF          (EXITINPI NOT = ‘Y’)

EXEC CICS RETURN

END-EXEC.

 

The following are most frequently asked questions (FAQS):

Q33)     What does “Pseudo Conversational” mean?

A33)   The programming technique in which the task will not wait for the end-user replies on the terminal. Terminating the

task every time the application needs a response from the user and specifying the next transaction to be started when

the end user press any attention key (Enter, PF1 through PF24, PA1,PA2 and Clear) is pseudo-conversational

processing.

Q34)     Explain the means of supporting pseudo conversation programming. (E.g. Storing and restoring of states,

control flow, error handling)

A34)   When  we  send  a  map  using  SEND MAP  command.  Immediately  we  release  the  program  by using  EXEC

CICS  RETURN  command.   In this  command  we  mention  the  TRANSACTION  ID  which  is to  be executed

after  receiving  the  map.   In  this  command  we  also  specify the  data  that  should  be  stored  in

COMMUNICATION  AREA  for later  use.  When  this  command  is  executed the  corresponding program is

released from  the  memory. After  receiving  the  response  from  the terminal  the  program  is again loaded  and  this

time  the data  which  we stored in  communication  area will  be  copied  into  the  working  storage  section.   And

the  map  will be  received  with  RECEIVE MAP  command.

The  variable  EIBCALEN  in  EIB  holds  the  length  of  communication area.   In  procedure  division  we  checks  the value  of  EIBCALEN If  it  is  zero,  we  first   send  the  map  followed  by   RETURN command.  Otherwise,  that is  if EIBCALEN is  not  zero,  we  know that  this  transaction  is  not  running first  time   and  we  receive the  map  by using  RECEIVE MAP  command.

Q35)     What is the function of the CICS translator?

A35) The CICS translator converts the EXEC CICS commands into call statements for a specific programming language. There are CICS translators for Assembler, COBOL, and PL/1.

Q36)     How can you start a CICS transaction other than by keying the Transaction ID at the terminal?

A36)      By coding an EXEC CICS START in the application program

1.  By coding the trans id and a trigger level on the DCT table

2.  By coding the trans id in the EXEC CICS RETURN command

3.            By associating an attention key with the Program Control Table

4.            By embedding the TRANSID in the first four positions of a screen sent to the terminal.

5.            By using the Program List Table

Q37)     What is the purpose of the Program List Table?

A37)      The Program List Table records the set of applications programs that will be executed automatically at CICS start-up

time.

Q38)     What are the differences between and EXEC CICS XCTL and an EXEC CICS START command?

A38) The XCTL command transfer control to another application (having the same Transaction ID), while the START command initiates a new transaction ID (therefore a new task number). The XCTL continues task on the same terminal. START can initiate a task on another terminal.

Q39)   What are the differences between an EXEC CICS XCTL and an EXEC CICS LINK command.

A39) The XCTL command transfer control to an application program at the same logical level (do not expect to control back), while the LINK command passes control to an application program at the next logical level and expects control back.

Q40)     What happens to resources supplied to a transaction when an XCTL command is executed?

A40) With an XCTL, the working storage and the procedure division of the program issuing the XCTL are released. The I/O areas, the GETMAIN areas, and the chained Linkage Section areas (Commarea from a higher level) remain. All existing locks and queues also remain in effect. With a LINK, however, program storage is also saved, since the transaction expects to return and use it again.

Q41)     What CICS command do you need to obtain the user logon-id?

A41)      You must code EXEC CICS ASSIGN with the OPERID option.

Q42)     What is a resident program?

A42) A program or map loaded into the CICS nucleus so that it is kept permanently in main storage and not deleted when CICS goes “Short On Storage”.

Q43)     What is EIB. How it can be used?

A43) CICS automatically provides some system-related information to each task in  a  form  of  EXEC Interface Block (EIB), which is unique to the CICS command level. We can use  all  the fields  of EIB in  our application  programs  right  away.

Q44)     What is some of the information available in the EIB area?

A44)

I.        The cursor position in the map

II.       Transaction ID

III.      Terminal ID

IV.      Task Number

V.       Length of  communication area

VI.      Current date and time

VII.     Attention identifier

Q45)     What information can be obtained from the EIBRCODE?

A45) The EIBRCODE tells the application program if the last CICS command was executed successfully and, if not, why not.

Q46)     What is the effect of including the TRANSID in the EXEC CICS RETURN command?

A46) The next time the end user presses an attention key, CICS will start the transaction specified in the TRANSID option.

Q47)     Explain how to handle exceptional conditions in CICS.

A47)      An  abnormal  situation  during  execution  of  a  CICS  command is called   an exceptional  condition”.

There are various   ways  to  handle  these  exception  conditions:

1. Handle Condition Command: It is used to transfer control to the procedure label specified if   the

exceptional   condition specified  occurs.

2. Ignore Condition Command: It causes no action to be taken if the condition specified occurs in

the program. That is control will be returned to the next instruction following the command  which

encountered  the  exceptional  condition.

3. No Handle Option: This option can be specified in any CICS command and it will  cause no

action to be  taken  for  any   exceptional   condition   occurring   during   execution  of  this  command.

4. RESP Option: This option can   be    specified  in  any  CICS  command. If the RESP option is

specified in a  command, CICS places a response code at  a  completion of the command.  The

application program can check this code, then proceed to the next processing.

Handle condition:

Invalid handling of  CICS  error condition within the program causing the looping.  Here is one example, most program have EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDTION ERROR(label) or  EXEC  CICS HANDLE ABEND LABEL(label) to  trap  any  error condition or  abend.  This  type  of  coding  is usually acceptable if  they handle  the error / abend correctly in  their  handling paragraph.   However,  the  program  often  cause another error or abend  within  the handling routine.  In that case, looping or sos will occur.  I strong recommend that  the   following statement should  be included in  their  ERROR handling paragraph.

EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDTION ERROR END-EXEC. It means that from  now on, CICS will handle all the errors and will not go back to error handling routine .For HANDLE ABEND, code EXEC CICS HANDLE ABEND CANCEL instead. Please check the application program reference manual for further explanation of these two commands. Besides, not  only these two HANDLE will cause the program, other  type of error handle might cause loop too.   So  code  the HANDLE command carefully.  It  is  a good program practice to deactivate  the  error  handling  by  EXEC  CICS  HANDLE  CONDITION condition END-EXEC. Once you know that the program won’t need it anymore.

Q48)     What is the function of the EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDITION command?

A48)      To specify the paragraph or program label to which control is to be passed if the “handle condition” occurs.

Q49)     How many conditions can you include in a single HANDLE CONDITION command?

A49)      No more than 16 in a single handle condition. If you need more, then you must code another HANDLE CONDITION

command.

Q50)     What is the EXEC CICS HANDLE ABEND?

A50) It allows the establishing of an exit so cleanup processing can be done in the event of abnormal task termination.

Q51)     What is the difference between EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDTION and an EXEC CICS IGNORE command?

A51) A HANDLE CONDITION command creates a “go-to” environment. An IGNORE command does not create a go-to environment; instead, it gives control back to the next sequential instruction following the command causing the condition. They are opposites.

Q52)     What happens when a CICS command contains the NOHANDLE option?

A52) No action is going to be taken for any exceptional conditional occurring during the execution of this command. The abnormal condition that occurred will be ignored even if an EXEC CICS HANDLE condition exist. It has the same effect as the EXEC CICS IGNORE condition except that it will not cancel the previous HANDLE CONDITION for any other command.

Q53)     When a task suspends all the handle conditions via the PUSH  command, how does the task reactivate all the

handle conditions?

A53)      By coding an EXEC CICS POP HANDLE command.

Q54)     Explain re-entrancy as applies to CICS.

A54) Reentrant   program  is   a  program  which  does  not  modify itself  so  that  it  can   reenter to itself  and continue  processing   after   an   interruption   by  the  operating  system which, during   the   interruption, executes other   OS  tasks  including    OS    tasks    of   the    same     program.    It   is   also  called  a “reenterable”  program  or”serially  reusable”  program.

A quasi-reentrant program is a reentrant program under the CICS environment.  That   is,   the  quasi-reentrant  program is a CICS program which does not modify itself. That way it can reenter to itself and continue   processing after an interruption by CICS which,  during  the  interruption, executes other  tasks  including  CICS  tasks  of  the  same  program. In  order  to  maintain  the  quasi-reentrancy,  a  CICS  application  program  must  follow  the  following  convention:

Constants in Working Storage:  The quasi-reentrant program defines only constants in its ordinary data area (e.g. working Storage Section ). These constants will never be modified and shared  by  the tasks.

Variable in Dynamic  Working  Storage: The quasi reentrant  program acquires a unique storage area (

called Dynamic Working  Storage –DWS) dynamically  for  each  task by issuing  the  CICS  macro

equivalent  GETMAIN.  All variables  will be placed in  this DWS for each task. All counters  would   have  to be initialized  after the DWS has been  acquired.

Restriction on Program  Alteration:  The  program must   not   alter   the   program  itself.  If  it  alters  a CICS macro  or  command,   it   must  restore  the  alteration   before   the   subsequent  CICS  macro  or command.

Q55)     What are the CICS commands available for program control?

A55)      The  following  commands  are  available  for  the  Program  Control services:

1.  LINK: To pass control  to  another  program  at  the   lower  level,  expecting  to  be  returned.

2.  XCTL:      To pass control to another  program  at the same  level,  not expecting  to be returned.

3.  RETURN:  To return   to    the    next   higher-level program  or  CICS.

4.  LOAD:     To  load  a  program.

5.  RELEASE: To  release  a  program.

Q56)     How is addressability achieved to the data outside programs working-storage.?

A56) The  Base  Locator  for   Linkage  ( BLL )  is  an  addressing convention  used  to  address  storage outside  the  Working  Storage Section  of  an   application  program. If BLL is used for the input commands (e.g.: READ, RECEIVE), it will improve the performance,  since  the  program  would  be  accessing directly the  input buffer  outside  of  the  program. In  order   to  work  as  intended,  the  program  must  construct BLL  based  on  the following  convention:

1).  The  parameter  list  must  be  defined  by  means    of  a  01 level  data  definition  in  the Linkage Section   as   the  first area  definition  to  the  Linkage  Section,  unless  a communication  area  is  being  passed  to  the   program,  in  which case  DFHCOMMAREA must be defined  first. The parameter list   consists   of  a  group  of  the  address pointers, each of which is defined as   the full word binary field ( S9(8)  COMP ). This is called  the   BLL cells.

2). The parameter list is followed by a group of  01 level data definitions, which would be the  actual

data  areas.  The  first  address  pointer  of  the  parameter  list  is  set  up  by  CICS  for  addressing the   parameter  list  itself.   From  the   second   address  pointer onward, there  is  a  one-to-one correspondence  between  the  address  pointers  of  the parameter  list and  01  level  data  definitions.

3). VS  COBOL  II   provides CICS application  programs  with a significant improvements in the  area of addressability  through the special ADDRESS register. Therefore, if an application  program is written  in  VS  COBOL II, the   program  is  no  longer requires building  the  BLL cells  in  the  Linkage  Section.

Q57)     Explain the various ways data can be passed between CICS programs.

A57)      Data can be passed between CICS programs in three ways- COMMAREA, TRASIENT DATA QUEUE &

TEMPORARY STORAGE QUEUE.

Data can be passed to a called program using the COMMAREA option of the LINK or XCTL command in a calling program. The called program may alter the data content of COMMAREA and the changes will be available to the calling program after the RETURN command is issued in the called program. This implies that the called program does not have to specify the COMMAREA option in the RETURN command.

If the COMMAREA is used in the calling program, the area must be defined in the Working Storage Section of the program   (calling), whereas, in  the  called  program,  the  area must  be   defined   as  the  first   area   in   the   Linkage  Section, using  reserved  name  DFHCOMMAREA.

Q58)     What is the difference between using the READ command with INTO option and SET option?

A58) When  we  use  INTO  option  with  the  READ  command  the  data  content  of  the  record  will  be moved  into   the    specified  field  defined  in  the  Working  Storage  Section  of  the  program. When we  use SET  option  with  the  READ  command ,  CICS  sets  the  address pointer  to  the  address of the  record  in  the file  input / output  area  within  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. Therefore, the SET  option  provides  a  better   performance  than  the  INTO  option.

Q59)     Can we define an alternate index on VSAM/RRDS  ?

A59)      No

Q60)     What is the difference between the INTO and the SET option in the EXEC CICS RECEIVE MAP command?

A60) The INTO option moves the information in the TIOA into the reserved specified area, while the SET option simply returns the address of the TIOA to the specified BLL cell or  “address-of” a linkage-section.

Q61)     How to establish dynamic cursor position on a map? How to get the cursor position when we receive a map?

A61) We  dynamically  position a  cursor  through  an  application  program  using a symbolic  name  of the  symbolic map by  placing  -1  into  the field length field ( i.e.,  fieldname + L) of  the  field  where you  wish to  place  the  cursor. The SEND MAP command to be issued must have the CURSOR option ( without  value ). Also,  the  mapset  must  be  coded  with  MODE = INOUT in the  DFHMSD macro. We   get   the   cursor position   when   we   receive   a  map  by  checking  EIBCPOSN,  which is  a  halfword    ( S9(4) COMP) binary field  in  EIB,  and  contains  offset  position  (relatively to zero )  of  the  cursor  on  the  screen.

Q62)     What is MDT?

A62) MDT  (  Modified  Data  Tag  )  is  one  bit  of  the  attribute  character.  If  it  is  off ( 0 ), it  indicates  that this  field  has  not  been  modified  by  the  terminal  operator.  If  it   is on  ( 1 ),  it  indicates  that  this field has  been modified  by  the  operator.  Only  when MDT  is  on,  will the  data  of  the  field  be sent  by  the  terminal  hardware to  the  host computer ( i.e.,  to  the  application  program,  in  end ). An  effective  use  of  MDT    drastically   reduces the  amount  of   data   traffic  in  the communication  line,  thereby   improving performance  significantly.   Therefore, BMS maps  and   CICS   application programs should  be developed based  on   careful considerations  for  MDT.

Q63)     What are the three ways available for a program to position the cursor on the screen?

A63)

I.          Static positioning. Code the insert cursor (IC) in the DFHMDF BMS macro.

II.         Relative positioning. Code the CURSOR option with a value relative to zero(position 1,1 is zero) .

III.        Symbolic positioning. Move high values or -1 to the field length in the symbolic map(and code CURSOR on the

SEND command).

Q64)     Name three ways the Modified Data Tag can be set on?

A64)      The Modified Data Tag can be set on:

1. When the user enters data into the field.

2. When the application program moves DFHBMFSE to the attribute character.

3. By defining it in the BMS macro definition.

Q65)     What is a mapset?

A65)      A mapset is a collection of BMS maps link-edited together.

Q66)     What is the function of DFHMDF BMS macro?

A66)      The DFHMDF macro defines fields, literal, and characteristics of a field.

Q67)     Why is a TERM ID recommended in naming a TSQ?

A67) In  order  to  avoid  confusion  and  to  maintain  data  security,  a  strict  naming convention   for QID  will be required  in  the installation.  Moreover,  for  a  terminal-dependent task  (e.g., pseudo-conversational  task),  the  terminal  id  should be  included  in  QID   in   order   to   ensure  the uniqueness  of  TSQ  to  the  task.

Q68)     Explain the basic difference between Intra partition TDQ and Extra partition TDQ.

A68)

INTRA  PARTITION  TD  QUEUEs  It is a  group of sequential records which are  produced by the same  and / or  different transactions within a CICS region.   These   Qs   are   stored   in    only    one  physical   file  (  VSAM  ) in  a  CICS  region,   which  is   prepared   by  the  system  programmer.  Once  a  record   is   read   from  a  queue,  the  record  will  be logically  removed  from   the  queue;   that  is  the record  cannot  be  read  again.                                             EXTRA  PARTITION   TD  QUEUEs  It  is  a   group  of   sequential   records  which   interfaces   between       the  transactions   of   the  CICS  region  and  the  systems outside  of  CICS region.  Each  of   these   TDQs    is   a   separate  physical  file,  and  it  may be  on  the  disk,  tape,  printer  or  plotter.

 

Q69)     What are the differences between Temporary Storage Queue (TSQ) and Transient Data Queue (TDQ).?

A69) Temporary Storage Queue names are dynamically defined in the application program, while TDQs must first be defined in the DCT (Destination Control Table). When a TDQ contains certain amount of records (Trigger level), a CICS transaction can be started automatically. This does not happen when using a TSQ. TDQ(extra partition) may be used by batch application; TSQ cannot be accessed in batch. The Transient Data Queue is actually a QSAM file. You may update an existing item in a TSQ. A record in a TDQ cannot be updated. Records in TSQ can be read randomly. The TDQ can be read only sequentially. Records in Temporary Storage can be read more than once, while records stored in Temporary Data Queues cannot. With TDQs it is “one read” only.

 

Q70)     What is the difference between getting the system time with EIBTIME and ASKTIME command?

A70) The  ASKTIME  command  is  used  to  request  the  current  date  and  time. Whereas,  the  EIBTIME field   have   the   value  at  the  task  initiation  time.

Q71)     What does the following transactions do?

A71)     CEDF : CICS-supplied  Execution  Diagnostic  Facility  transaction.  It  provides interactive  program

execution  and  debugging  functions  of  a  CICS programs.

CEMT : CICS-supplied  Extended  Master  Terminal  transaction.  It  displays  or  manipulates CICS

control environment  interactively.

CEBR : CICS-supplied  Temporary  Storage  Browse  transaction.  It  displays  the  content of

Temporary Storage  Queue ( TSQ ).

CECI :  CICS-supplied  Command  Interpreter  transaction.  It  verifies  the  syntax  of  a CICS  command

and  executes  the  command.

Q72)     Explain floating maps with illustration.

A72)      Maps which can position themselves  relative to the previous maps on the screen or  page are known as

the floating maps. For this  you  have to use special positional operands to LINE and COLUMN parameters of the BMS macro definition. They are SAME, NEXT. Actually this floating map concept is there only in Full BMS where as it is not available in Min.  or  Standard  BMS macros. RECEIVE  MAP is not  recommended in the case of floating maps. Hence these maps are normally  used to send information such as selected records from a  database to screen but not for data entry. A  mapset  can contain more than one m ap in it, you may use all these maps to build a screen.  In  that case  there  are  two ways to send these maps on to the  screen

i ) Use separate SEND MAP commands one for each map involved. or

ii) Use  ACCUM operand along with SEND MAP command and while sending really on to the

screen use SEND PAGE to display them  at one shot.      The second one is called

cumulative mapping scheme where you also can use  floating maps.

Let’s take a situation where you have to build a screen like this

HEADER MAP (no. of A gr. employs)

DETAIL MAP    (employee list )

TRAILER MAP  (Press a key to continue…)

Under such situations whatever the detail map needed  that  is  to  be   displayed again and again to display all the information  one  screenful  at  a  time.  In this  floating map concept helps.

Code the map like this

M1 DFHMDI …… HEADER=YES,JUSTIFY=FIRST………………

M2 DFHMDI ……  ……………………. LINE=NEXT………………..

M3 DFHMDI ……..TRAILER=YES,JUSTIFY=LAST………………………

Here M2 is detail map, which is coded as floating map. Procedure:

Every time using cumulative map technique send header (first) and followed by  detail  map  next  into a  page buffer once the page is full an overflow occurs by   using  CICS HANDLE OVERFLOW command send first trailer map then header  map  ( This will do two things a) it sends previous map on to the screen b) starts  fresh page buffer ).  Repeated this until no more records to be retrieved. Here M2  is the one which holds the record values read from the file.

Q73)   What is the function of the Terminal Control Table(TCT)?

A73)      The TCT defines the characteristics of each terminal with which CICS can communicate.

Q74)     What does it mean when EIBCALEN is equal to zeros?

A74) When the length of the communication area (EIBCALEN) is equal to zeros, it means that no data was passed to the application.

Q75)     How can the fact that EIBCALEN is equal to zeros be of use to an application programmer?

A75) When working in a pseudo-conversational mode, EIBCALEN can be checked if it is equal to zero. A programmer can use this condition as a way of determining first time usage(of the program).

Q76)     Which CICS system program is responsible for handling automatic task initialization?

A76)      The Transient Data Program(TDP).

Q77)     In an on-line environment, how can you prevent more than one user from accessing the same Transient Data

Queue at the same time?

A77) By issuing an EXEC CICS ENQ against the resource. When processing is completed, a DEQ should be executed.

Q78)     When an application is invoked via the EXEC CICS START command with the from option, how does the

application gain access to the common area?

A78)      An EXEC CICS RETRIEVE command will access the common area.

Q79)     The DFHCOMMAREA is used to pass information from one application to another. What are some other ways

that this function can be accomplished?

A79)      You can also pass information in the following ways.

– By using a temporary storage queue

– By using an intrapartition TDQ

– By using the Task Work Area

– By using TCTUA

– Through a file

Q80)     How do you define Task Work Area?

A80)      By defining it on the PCT (the Program Control Table)

Q81)     What information do you get when an EXEC CICS STARTCODE is issued?

A81) You will be able to determine if the application was started by (1) a transient data trigger level(QD), (2) a START command (S,SD), (3) user (U) or terminal input (TD), or (4) Distributed Program Link(D,DS).

Q82)     Which CICS command must be issued by the application program in order to gain access to the Common

Work Area(CWA)?

A82)      EXEC CICS ADDRESS with CWA option.

Q83)     In which CICS table would you specify the length of the TASK WORK AREA (TWA)?

A83)      In the Program Control Table(PCT).

Q84)     What is a deadlock?

A84) Deadlock (also known as a “deadly embrace”) occurs when a task is waiting for a resource held by another task which, in turn, is waiting for a resources held by the first task.

Q85)     Explain the term Transaction routing?

A85) Transaction routing is a CICS mode of intercommunication which allows a terminal connected to local CICS to execute another transaction owned by a remote CICS.

Q86)     Explain the term Function Request Shipping?

A86) Function request shipping is one of the CICS modes of intercommunication which allows an application program in a local CICS to access resources owned by a remote CICS.

Q87)     Explain the term “MRO” (Multi Region Operation)?

A87) MRO is the mechanism by which different CICS address spaces with in the same  CPU can communicate and share resources.

Q88)     What are different system tables used in CICS?

A88)      PCT, FCT, TCT, DCT, PPT

Q89)     What is multitasking and multithreading?

A89) Multitasking is the feature supported by the operating system to execute more than one task simultaneously. Multithreading is the system environment where the tasks are sharing the same programs load module under the multitasking environment. It is a subset of multitasking since it concerns tasks which use the same program.

Q90)     What is the difference between link xctl?

A90)      Link is temporary transfer of control. Xctl is permanent transfer of control

Q91)     Name some of the common tables in CICS and their usage.

A91) PCT Program Control Table                    – defines each transaction, containing a list of valid transaction

identifiers (transid) where each transaction is paired with its matching

program;

PPT Program Processing Table               – contains a list of valid program names and maps and whether a

current version is in the CICS region or needs to be brought in as a

new copy;

FCT  File Control Table                            – contains a list of files known to CICS, the dataset name and status

(closed/open, enabled/disabled);

TCT Terminal Control Table                  – a list of the terminals known to CICS.

Q92)     Name some common CICS service programs and explain their usage?

A92)      Terminal Control, File Control,  Task Control, Storage Control, etc.  Each CICS services program controls the usage and status for its resource (file, terminal, etc) within the CICS region.

Q93)     What is meant by a CICS task?

A93)      A CICS task exists from the time the operator presses the enter key until the application program returns control to

CICS.

Q94)     What is meant by program reentrance?

A94)      A program is considered reentrant if more than one task can execute the code without interfering with the other tasks’

execution.

Q95)     What is the common systems area (CSA)?

A95)      The common systems area is the major CICS control block that contains system information, including pointers to

most other CICS control blocks.  The CSA points to all members of STATIC storage.

Q96)     What is the COMMAREA(communications area)?

A96)      This is the area of main storage designed to let programs or tasks communicate with one another, used in programs via

RETURN, XCTL and LINK commands.

Q97)     What is the EIB (execute interface block)?

A97)      The execute interface block lets the program communicate with the execute interface program, which processes CICS

commands. It contains terminal id, time of day and response codes.

Q98)     What is an MDT (Modified Data Tag) – it’s meaning and use?

A98)      The modified data tag is the last bit in the attribute byte for each screen field.  It indicates whether the corresponding

field has been changed.

Q99)     What is a transid and explain the system transid CEMT?

A99)      Transid is a transaction identifier, a four character code used to invoke a CICS task. CEMT is the master terminal

transaction that lets you display and change the status of resources – it is the primary CICS service transaction.

Q100) What is the common work area (CWA)?

A100)  The common work area is a storage area that can be accessed by any task in a CICS system.

Q101) How do you access storage outside your CICS program?

A101)  In COBOL storage was accessed via BLL cells using the SET option of ADDRESS commands.  In COBOL II the

special register, ADDRESS OF lets you reference the address of any Linkage Section field.

Q102) How does COBOL II and CICS release 1.7 provide for exceptional conditions and how does that differ from

VS COBOL and earlier CICS releases?

A102)  VS COBOL used the HANDLE CONDITION command to name routines to pass program control when exceptional

conditions were encountered.  COBOL II and CICS release 1.7 introduced the RESP option on many CICS

commands.

Q103) What is the meaning and use of the EIBAID field?

A103)  EIBAID is a key field in the execute interface block; it indicates which attention key the user pressed to initiate the

task.

 

Q104) How do you control cursor positioning?

A104)  It’s controlled by the CURSOR option of the SEND MAP command using a direct (0 through 1919) or symbolic

value.

Q105) What are attribute bytes and how and why are they modified? 

A105)  Attribute bytes define map field characteristics (brightness, protection, etc); they are modified prior to issuing a

SEND MAP command, eg. from normal to intense to highlight an error field.

Q106) How do you invoke other programs?  What are the pros and cons of each method?  

A106)  There are three ways:

1)              Use a COBOL II CALL statement to invoke a subprogram. This method is transparent to CICS, which sees

only the one load module.

2)              An EXEC LINK is similar to a call; it invokes a separate CICS program and ends with a RETURN to the

invoking program.  or

3)              An EXEC XCTL which transfers control to another CICS program and does not get control back.

Q107) What is BMS?

A107)  BMS is Basic Map Support; it allows you to code assembler level programs to define screens.

Q108) What is the difference between FSET and FRSET?

A108)  FSET specifies that the modified data tag should be turned on before the map is sent to the screen. FRSET turns off

the attribute byte; it’s used to transmit only changed data from the terminal.

Q109) What is the difference between the enter key, the PF keys and the PA keys?

A109)  The enter and PF keys transmit data from the screen; the PA keys tell CICS that a terminal action took place, but

data is not transmitted.

Q110) Explain the difference among the EXEC LINK, EXEC XCTL and Cobol II static call statements in CICS.

A110)  COBOL II allows for static calls which are more efficient than the LINK instruction which establishes a new run-

unit.

Q111) Are sequential files supported by CICS?

A111)  Yes, but not as part of the File Control Program. They are supported as extra partition transient data files.

Q112) What option can be coded on the RETURN command to associate a transaction identifier with the next

terminal input?

A112)  The TRANSID option.

Q113) What is an ASRA?

A113)  An ASRA is the CICS interrupt code, the equivalent of an MVS abend code.

Q114) What is temporary storage?

A114)  Temporary storage is either main or auxiliary storage that allows the program to save data between task invocations.

Q115) What is transient data?

A115)  Transient data provides CICS programs with a simple method for sequential processing, often used to produce

output for 3270 printers.

Q116) What are the two types of transient data queues?

A116)  They are intrapartition, which can only be accessed from within CICS and extrapartition, which are typically used to

collect data online, but process it in a batch environment.

Q117) Where are transient data sets defined to CICS?

A117)  They are defined in the destination control table (DCT).

Q118) Once a transient data queue is read, can it be reread?  

A118)  No, silly!  That’s why IBM calls it transient.

Q119) Name some commands used for CICS file browsing.

A119)  STARTBR,  READNEXT, READPREV, ENDBR and RESETBR.

Q120) What other file control processing commands are used for file updating?

A120)  WRITE, REWRITE,  DELETE and UNLOCK.

Q121) What is Journal Recovery and Dynamic Transaction Backout?

A121)  Journal Recovery is recovery of changes made to a file during online processing.  If a file has I/O problems it is

restored from a backup taken before online processing began and the journalled changes are applied. Dynamic

transaction backout is the removal of partial changes made by a failed transaction.

Q122) What tables must be updated when adding a new transaction and program?

A122)  At a bare minimum the Program Control Table ( PCT) and Program Processing Table (PPT) must be updated.

Q123) What is the meaning of the SYNCPOINT command?

A123)  SYNCPOINT without the ROLLBACK option makes all updates to protected resources permanent, with the

ROLLBACK option it reverses all updates.

Q124) What do the terms locality of reference and working set mean?

A124)  They refer to CICS efficiency techniques. Locality of reference requires that the application program should

consistently reference instructions and data within a relatively small number of pages.  The working set is the

number of program pages needed by a task.

Q125) What do the keywords MAPONLY and DATAONLY mean?

A125)  MAPONLY is a SEND MAP operand that sends only fields with initial values to the screen. DATAONLY is the

SEND MAP operand that specifies only data from the map area should be displayed.

Q126) What is the MASSINSERT option?

A126)  MASSINSERT is a WRITE option that modifies normal VSAM split processing, leaving free space after the

inserted record, so subsequent records can be inserted without splits.  It is ended by an UNLOCK command.

Q127) What is a cursor in CICS sql processing?

A127)  A cursor is a pointer that identifies one row in a sql results table as the current row.

Q128) What are the DB2 steps required to migrate a CICS DB2 program from source code to load module?

A128)  A DB2 precompiler processes some SQL statements and converts others. It creates a data base request module

(DBRM) for the binding step.  The bind process uses the DBRM to create an application plan, which specifies the

techniques DB2 will use to process the embedded SQL statements. The link/edit step includes an interface to the

CICS/DB2 attachment facility.

Q129) Name some translator and compile options and explain their meaning?

A129)  For translator SOURCE option prints the program listing, DEBUG enables EDF and COBOL2 alerts the system to

use the COBOL II compiler.  For the compiler XREF prints a sorted data cross reference and FDUMP prints a

formatted dump if the program abends.

Q130) What is the significance of RDO?

A130)  RDO is Resource Definition Online. Since release 1.6 RDO allows resources (terminals, programs, transactions and

files) to be defined interactively while CICS is running.

Q131) What is CECI?

A131)  CECI is the command level interpreter transid that interactively executes CICS commands.  It is a rudimentary CICS

command debugger which does not require coding an entire program.

Q132) What is CEDF?

A132)  CEDF is the execute diagnostic facility that can be used for debugging CICS programs.

 

Q133) What is CEBR?

A133)  CEBR lets you browse the contents of a specific temporary storage queue.

Q134) Name and explain some common CICS abend codes?

A134)  Any AEI_ indicates an execute interface program problem – the abending program encountered an exceptional

condition that was not anticipated by the coding.  APCT – the program could not be found or is disabled. ASRA –

most common CICS abend, indicating a program check, identified by a one-byte code in the Program Status Word

in the dump.  AKCP – the task was cancelled; it was suspended for a period longer than the transaction’s defined

deadlock timeout period.  AKCT – The task was cancelled because it was waiting too long for terminal input.

Q135) What is a logical message in CICS?

A135)  A logical message is a single unit of output created by SEND TEXT or SEND MAP commands. BMS collects the

separate output from each command and treats them as one entity. This technique may be used to build CICS

reports.

Q136) What are the CICS commands associated with temporary storage queue processing?

A136)  WRITEQ TS,  READQ TS, and  DELETEQ, whose meanings should be self-explanatory.

Q137) What are the CICS commands associated with transient data queue processing?

A137)  WRITEQ TD, READQ TD, DELETEQ TD, ENQ and DEQ.

Q138) What is the meaning of the ENQ  and DEQ commands?

A138)  Neither command is exclusively a transient data command. The ENQ command reserves any user defined resource

for the specific task.  For enqueued transient data no other task will be able to write records to it for as long as it is

enqueued.  DEQ removes the lock.

 

Q139) How do you delete Item 3 in a five-item TSQ?

A139)  You can’t–at least not directly. Options, none of them good, include:

I.        adding a logical-delete flag to the contents of each item;

II.       moving item 4 to 3 and 5 to 4 and initializing item 5, all thru rewrites; this is a variant on 1;

III.      creating a new ‘copy’ TSQ that excludes the unwanted item, killing the old TSQ (deleteq ts), writing the

new TSQ with the original name from the new TSQ, and then deleting the ‘copy’ TSQ. This way, you

will get an accurate report from NUMITEMS.

Q140) What CICS command would you use to read a VSAM KSDS sequentially in ascending order?

A140)  READNEXT reads the next record from a browse operation for any of the three VSAM files.

Q141) How do you get data from a task that began with a START command?

A141)  The RETRIEVE command is used to get data from a task that began with a START command.

Q142) What is interval control and what are some of the CICS commands associated with it?

A142)  CICS interval control provides a variety of time-related features – common commands are ASKTIME,

FORMATTIME, START, RETRIEVE, and CANCEL.

Q143) What is task control and what are the CICS commands associated with it?

A143)  Task control refers to the CICS functions that manage the execution of tasks. Task control commands are

SUSPEND, ENQ, and DEQ.

Q144) What is the CICS LOAD command?

A144)  The LOAD command retrieves an object program from disk and loads it into main storage – it’s primarily used for a

constant table that will be available system-wide.

Q145) What is the ABEND command and when would you use it?

A145)  The ABEND command forces a task to end abnormally.  It creates a transaction dump and invokes the dynamic

transaction backout.

Q146) DB2 What is the difference between a package and a plan. How does one bind 2 versions of a CICS

transaction with the same module name in two different CICS regions that share the same DB2 subsystem?  

A146)  Package and plan are usually used synonymously, as in this site. Both contain optimized code for SQL statements – a

package for a single program, module or subroutine contained in the database request module (DBRM) library. A

plan may contain multiple packages and pointers to packages. The one CICS module would then exist in a package

that could be referenced in two different plans.

Q147) How to build up LU 6.2 communication?” and “what Pseudo-conversational and real conversational

transaction are and their differences.”

A147)  Pseudo-conversational transactions are almost always the preferred method.  In these mode CICS releases resources

between responses to user input, i.e. the task is ended awaiting the user response.

Q148) Why is it important not to execute  a STOP RUN in CICS ?

A148)  Stop run will come out from the CICS region.

Q149) Why must all CICS programs have a Linkage Section ?

A149)  To pass parameters from appl. Program to CICS.

Q150) A mapset consists of three maps and  10 fields on each map . How many of the following will be needed ?

A150)  a) DFHMSD statements            1

a        b) DFHMDI statements             3

b        c) DFHMDF statements            30

Q151) How are programs reinitiated under CICS ?

A151)  START COMMAND , RETURN COMMAND

Q152) Why doesn’t CICS use the Cobol  Open and Close statements ?

A152)  CICS AUTOMATICALLY OPENS AND CLOSES THE FILES THOSE ARE PLASED IN FCT

Q153) What is the difference between a Symbolic map and Physical map ?

A153)  SYMBOLIC MAP IS USED BY USER AND PHYSICAL MAP IS USED BY SYSTEM

Q154) Can a program change protected field ?

A154)  NO

Q155) How is the  stopper byte different from  an auto skip byte ?

A155)  STOPPER command will stop after completing its field , whereas AUTOSKIP command Will skip to next

unprotected field after completing its field.

 

Q156) By which CICS defined field   can you determine the position of the cursor on the map ?

A156)  ATTRIB FIELD

Q157) How will you place cursor on a field called  ‘EMPNO’.  This field belongs to mapset ‘MAPEMPG’

and map ‘MAPEMPM’ and  Symbolic map ‘Empid-Rec’ ?  

A157)  BY INSERTING IC IN THE ATTRIB COMMAND

 

Q158) How do you place the cursor on a particular position on the screen? – GS

A158)  Move -1 to the length attribute of the field and use the CURSOR option.

Define the field with IC in the BMS map.

Use CURSOR(n m)??

Q159) What are the two outputs created as a result of generation of a map? – GS

A159)  The map copybook and the load module.

Q160) What is the difference between physical map and symbolic map? – GS

A160)  The physical map is the load module and the symbolic map is the data structure.

Q161) What is the attribute byte? – GS

A161)  Defines the display/transmission of field. most cases is an output field from the program.

Q162) How do you use extended attributes ?

A162)  Define EXTATT=YES and the correct terminal type.

Q163) What are the 3 working storage fields used for every field on the map? – GS

A163)  Length, attribute and input/output field.

Q164) What is MDT? What are FSET, FRSET ?

A164) MDT: Bit in the attribute byte indicating modification of field on screen. Happens on an input operation.

FSET: Sets MDT on to ensure field is transmitted. Happens on an output operation.

FRSET: Resets MDT. Until this happens, field continues to be sent.

Q165) What is the use of DSECT parameter in BMS?

A165)  Is the parameter to generate a symbolic map.

Q166) Do you receive the attribute byte in the symbolic map?

A166)  On EOF yes.

Q167) How do you make your BMS maps case sensitive?

A167)  Use ASIS???

Q168) What is effect on RECEIVE MAP when PF key is pressed? PA key is pressed?

A168)  When PF key is pressed, Data transmission may happen. When PA key is pressed, Data transmission will not

happen.

Q169) What is the difference between a PF key & a PA key ?

A169)  PF keys wake up the task and transmit modified data, PA keys only wake up the task.

Q170) Name the macros used to define the following: MAP       MAPSET        FIELD

A170)  DFHMSD             DFHMDI                   DFHMDF

Q171) Can you use OCCURS in a BMS map?  If you do, what are the issues related with its use?

A171)  Yes. cannot use group by clause???

Q172) Can you define multiple maps in a BMS mapset?

A172)  Yes.

Q173) How is the storage determined in the symbolic map, if you have multiple maps?

A173)  Storage for maps redefine the first. This means largest map has to be the first.

Q174) What is the meaning of BMS length of field = 0?

A174)  Data was not entered in the field

Q175) Can you simply check if length = 0 for checking if a field was modified?

A175)  No, not if ERASE EOF was used.

Q176) What do you do if you do not want characters entered by the user to be folded to uppercase ?

A176)  Use ASIS option on RECEIVE.

Q177) What does the BUFFER option in RECEIVE mean ?

A177)  Brings the entire datastream from the terminal buffer.

Q178) What are the steps you go through to a create a BMS executable?

A178)  Assemble to create CSECT and Link

Q179) When you compile a CICS program, the (pre)compiler puts an extra chunk of code.  Where does it get

included and that is it called?  What is its length? – GS

A179)  DFHEIBLK, DFHCOMMAREA.

Q180) List all the CICS tables and explain their contents. – GS

A180)  PPT                   SIT

PCT              JCT

FCT              SNT

DCT              SRT

RCT              TCT

Q181) I have written a CICS program.  What tables should I setup to run this program? – GS

A181)  PPT, PCT, (FCT, DCT, RCT (if needed)).

Q182) In which table would you make an entry for a BMS map? – GS

A182)  PPT

Q183) What is the content of the PPT entry? – GS

A183)  Length, Source, Use count, Lang, Res count DFHRPL number

Q184) For a CICS-DB2 program, how is the plan referenced? – GS

A184)  Uses a RCT table.

Q185) How is dynamic memory allocated within a CICS application program? – GS

A185)  Use a GETMAIN

Q186) What is the use of a TDQ, TSQ? – GS

A186)  Temporary data stores.

Q187) How do you read from a TSQ? – GS

A187)  Temp storage read command

Q188) If I create a TSQ from one transaction, can I read it from another transaction? – GS

A188)  Yes. As long as they run in the same region.

Q189) What are extra partition & intra partition TDQs?

A189)  Extra partition TDQs are datasets used for communication b’n CICS and other CICS/Batch regions. Intrapartition

TDQs are queues for communication within regn.

Q190) What is trigger level in the context of TDQs?

A190)  For intrapartition TDQs specify the # records at which ATI happens. not applicable for extra partition TDQs.

Q191) How do you fire a batch job from a CICS transaction ?

A191)  Define an extrapartition TDQ as an internal reader and write the JCL to it. Terminate the JCL with /*EOF.

Q192) What is ATI? What kind of TDQ can be used?

A192)  Automatic Task Initiation. Intra partition TDQ.

Q193) Do you require a table entry for a TSQ?

A193)  If recovery is needed.

Q194) Is there any entry for TSQs in CICS tables?

A194)  Yes in the DFHTST.

Q195) What is the use of DCT?

A195)  Destination Control Table used to define TDQs

Q196) What is ENQ, DEQ ?

A196)  Task control commands to make resources serially reusable.

Q197) Can you issue SQL COMMIT from a CICS program? – GS

A197)  Yes.

Q198) What is the other way of terminating a transaction? – GS

A198)  EXEC CICS SYNCPOINT. Assuming it is a LUW. This will not end the Xn.

Q199) What is an ASRA abend ?

A199)  Any data exception problem SOC7, SOC4 etc.

Q200) What is an AEY9 abend ?

A200)  DB2/IDMS not up.

Q201) What are the situations under which  NEWCOPY is required ?

A201)  When a program has been used in CICS atleast once and then changed and recompiled.

Q202) What is EXEC CICS RETRIEVE ?

A202)  Used by STARTed tasks to get the parameters passed to them.

Q203) Name some important fields in the EIB block ?

A203)  EIBRESP, EIBCALEN, EIBRRCDE, EIBTASK, EIBDATE, EIBTIME

Q204) Can you use DYNAMIC calls in CICS ?

A204)  Yes, the called routine must be defined in PPT and the calling program must use CALL identifier..

Q205) How do you handle errors in CICS pgms ?

A205)  Check EIBRESP after the call or use the HANDLE condition.

Q206) Suppose pgm A passes 30 bytes to pgm B thru commarea and pgm B has defined its DFHCOMMAREA to be

50 bytes . Is there a problem ?

A206)  Yes, if B tries to access bytes 31-50.

Q207) When an XCTL is done, does the tranid change ? Is a new task created ? Does it cause an implicit

SYNCPOINT to be issued ?

A207)  No, No, Yes.

Q208) How do you execute a background CICS transaction ?

A208)  With a START or ATI.

Q209) What is the difference between START and XCTL ?

A209)  START is used to start a new task. It is a interval control command. XCTL is used to pass control to a program

within the same task. It is a program control command.

Q210) What is the usage of language in the PPT entry?

A210)  Language interface and call parameters???

Q211) Can you have CICS code in a copybook?  If yes, what happens during compilation?

A211)  Yes. Needs to be preprocessed.

Q212) What is an AICA abend?

A212)  Runaway Task.

Q213) How would you resolve an ASRA abend?

A213)  In COBOL II start with CEBR, and get the offset/instruction.

Q214) I invoke a transaction from CICS.  The program has a code: MOVE DFHCOMMAREA TO WS-AREA. 

What happens to this transaction?  What happens to the other transactions?

A214)  Junk may get moved in. Will cause Storage violation. ????

Q215) When you do a START, what will the value of EIBCALEN?

A215)  Zero.

Q216) How are VSAM files Read in CICS pgms? – GS

A216)  File Control Commands. Random, Sequential, forward and backward.

Q217) How will you access a VSAM file using an alternate index?

A217)  Thru the path. Define path as an FCT and use normal File control commands.

Q218) How do you rollback data written to an ESDS file?

A218)  Define the file as recoverable. in cases where records have been inserted into the file, you may need to run a batch

program to logically delete the inserted records.

Q219) I have done a START BROWSE on a VSAM dataset.  Can I do another START BROWSE without doing an

END BROWSE?

A219)  No.

Q220) Can you access QSAM (seq ) files from CICS ?

A220)  No.

Q221) Can you access ESDS files from CICS ?

A221)  Yes.

 

Q222) In the CICS command level all the re-entrancy issues are handled by the System(True or False).

A222)  True

Q223) What are the three BMS options ?

A223)  Minimum, Standard, Full

Q224) What are the beginning and end points of an LUW called?

A224)  Sync point

Q225) The DL/I database is a hierarchical database and the DL/I access method isthe access method of the

Information Management System (IMS)(True or False)

A225)  True

Q226) Before you can use a Temporary Storage Queue you must first define the Queue name in the CICS

Temporary Queue Table)( True or False).

A226)  False

Q227) The process of writing its own type of journal records by the application program, other than the automatic

journalling provided by CICS is called

A227)  Explicit Journalling

Q228) In order to display a formatted screen, a terminal must receive a series of data stream called Native Mode

Data Stream(True or False).

A228)  True

Q229) Which is the CICS control program which governs the flow of control among the CICS application

programs?

A229)  Program Control Program

Q230) What is the option of the DFHDCT macro which makes it possible to recover logically deleted records from

an Intrapartition TDQ?

A230)  REUSE=YES

Q231) CICS and DB2 can exist in the same region under the Operating system (True or False)

A231)  True

Q232) What is the name of the facility provided by CICS to free the application program form the problems caused

by NMDS (device and format dependence)?

A232)  Terminal Paging

Q233) What is the command which will delete a program LOADed into the main storage using LOAD command?

A233)  RELEASE

Q234) Which is the option of the HANDLE AID command that will pass control to the specified label when any key

is pressed?

A234)  ANYKEY

Q235) What is the name of the mapset definition macro?

A235)  DFHMSD

Q236) What is the access method used by DB2?

A236)  SQL

Q237) What is the command that is used to add a new record to the file?

A237)  READ with UPDATE followed by REWRITE

Q238) What will happen when the resource security check has failed on the program which has been specified in the

PROGRAM option of the LOAD command?

A238)  INVREQ

Q239) What is the command used to send a map to a terminal?

A239)  SEND MAP

Q240) What is the command used to request notification when the specified time has expired?                                   

A240)  POST

Q241) If DATAONLY option is specified in the SEND MAP command what will happen?

A241)  Only the symbolic map will be send

Q242) What will happen if the TDQ that you want to delete is not in the DCT?

A242)  QIDERR will occur

Q243) The read of a record from an Intrapartition TDQ is not destructive(True or False).

A243)  True

Q244) An XCTL uses more CPU time than LINK (True or False)

A244)  False

Q245) What is the primary function of the Sign-on Table?

A245)  Register security information of all programs

Q246) Native Mode Data Stream (NMDS) is a mixture of Buffer Control Characters(BCC) and text data (True or

False).

A246)  True

Q247) When there are 2 records with the same key specified in a DELETE operation what will happen?                              

A247)  DUPKEY condition will be set

Q248) The application programs that contain the SQL statements must be Pre-compiled for converting the SQL

statements into equivalent COBOL statements (True or False)

A248)  True

Q249) What are the databases that CICS can access?

A249)  DB2, DL/I, ORACLE

Q250) The first step in the development of an application system is the Requirement Analysis(True or False).

A250)  True

Q251) CICS provides an interface through which the all the DL/I services can be used under CICS(True or False).

A251)  True

Q252) How to get the sign-on user-id from an application program?

A252)  ASSIGN command with USERID option

Q253) What is a Logical Unit of Work (LUW)?

A253)  A sequence of operations logically tied together

Q254) Translation Time is not  reduced if the Pre-compilation is done first(True or False).

A254)  True

Q255) What is the general Command format of CICS ?

A255)  EXEC CICS followed by the command

Q256) If you use the OPTIMIZE compiler option the size of the program can be reduced by 5 to 10%(True or

False).

A256)  True

Q257) For multithreading an application program need not be re-entrant(True or False).

A257)  True

Q258) Before issuing an ASKTIME command what will be the values in the EIBDATE and EIBTIME fields if the

EIB?

A258)  The date and time at the task initiation

Q259) What is the error condition that is set when the file specified in the NAME option is not in the FCT?

A259)  PGMIDERR

Q260) For protecting a transaction using the transaction security function, the two things that must be done are:

1. in the SNT entry of the user who you which to allow to access a protected transaction, specify SCTKEY=n       

2. In the PCT entry of the transactions that you wish to protect specify the TRANSEC=n. (True or False)

A260)  True

Q261) What are the various types of accesses that can be allowed by the SERVREQ option of the DFHFCT?

A261)  ADD,BROWSE,DELETE,READ,UPDATE

Q262) ‘CICS’ system services provides an interface between CICS and the operating system and carries out the

functions like loading and releasing of application programs, acquiring and freeing of storage , task

scheduling, etc (True or False).                                     

A262)  True

Q263) What are the parameters that you have to give when you are using the CSSN transaction?                                 

A263)  None

Q264) What is the command that is used to delay the processing of a task for a specified time interval or until a

specified time?

A264)  WAIT

Q265) NMDS is both device dependent and format dependent (True or False)

A265)  True

Q266) Which is the EIB field that gives the date when a task was started?

A266)  EIBDATE

Q267) Which is the AID that will not be identified in the ANYKEY option of the HANDLE AID command?

A267)  CLEAR

Q268) Reading a record from a TSQ will logically delete the record from the Queue (True or False).

A268)  True

Q269) What is the option that is used to erase all unprotected fields during a SEND MAP operation?

A269)  ERASEAUP

Q270) What is the CICS command that is used to receive the un-formatted data from the terminal or logical unit of

a communication network?

A270)  RECEIVE

Q271) What is the command for reading a record form a TSQ?

A271)  READQ TS, READQ

Q272) What will happen, if an out-of-range or negative value is specified in the LENGTH option of the SEND

          command?

A272)  The OUTRAGE condition will be set

Q273) Which is the control table where you specify all the transaction that are to be started by CICS after CICS

start-up?

A273)  Sign-on table

Q274) A HANDLE CONDITION remains active until the end of the program or until another HANDLE

CONDITION command (True or False).

A274)  True

Q275) In the conversational mode the system waits for the user to enter his response and then press an attention

key, and while waiting the resources are held by the program or task.  So conversational mode of

programming is inefficient (True or False)

A275)  True

Q276) Which is the macro used for making an entry in the PPT 

A276)  DFHPPT

Q277) The goal of a recovery process is to Maintain the integrity of the data processed by the system and to

minimize the impact of a task or system failure (True or False).                                   

A277)  True

Q278) What is the primary objective of CICS ?

A278)  To provide the control and services of the DB/DC system

Q279) If no exception handling is provided in the program, what will happen ?

A279)  CICS will take the default action specified for the condition

Q280) What is the CICS supplied transaction which performs syntax checking of a CICS command?

A280)  CEMT

Q281) What is the process of converting the CICS commands into the equivalent host language statements called?

A281)  Translation

Q282) What is the function of the LOAD command?

A282)  To fetch a program, table or map to the main storage.

Q283) What is the CICS Command that is used for reading a record from the TDQ?

A283)  READQ

Q284) LENGERR, NOTAUTH and PGMIDERR are some of the common exception conditions that can occur with

LINK and XCTL (True or False).

A284)  False

Q285) Which of the following are recoverable CICS resources?

A285)  Data files and data bases, Intrapartition TDQs, Auxiliary TSQs

Q286) Which is the program which determines whether a transaction should be restarted ?                                 

A286)  DTB

Q287) What is the command used for receiving a map from a terminal?

A287)  RECEIVE MAP

Q288) The mode of achieving conversation with the user, by sending him the message and while waiting for his

response, freeing the system resources is called

A288)  Pseudo-conversation

Q289) Which is the command used for terminating a browse operation?

A289)  ENDBR

Q290) What is the primary function of the Processing Program Table (PPT)?

A290)  To register all programs and maps

Q291) Sync points cannot be requested by the application programs(True or False).

A291)  False

Q292) Which is the command that is used to dump the main storage areas related to a task?                                   

A292)  DUMP

Q293) What is the CICS command that is used to copy a screen image of a terminal into another terminal?

A293)  ISSUE COPY

Q294) What is the name of the log which contains the information needed to restart the system, including the task

sync point information and system activity key points, snapshots of key system tables, etc.

A294)  Dynamic Log

Q295) The EIB field which gives the last CICS command executed is

A295)  EIBRCODE

Q296) The READ command with INTO option will read the record specified into the data area specified (True or

false).

A296)  False

Q297) The attribute character is an visible 1 byte character which precedes a screen field and determines the

characteristics of the field (True or False).

A297)  True

Q298) What is the function of the Terminal Control table?

A298)  To register all CICS terminals

Q299) Which is the CICS control program that provides communication services between user written application

programs and terminals?

A299)  Terminal Control Program

Q300) CICS Command level is  

A300)  Low level version of CICS macro level

Q301) TSQs can be written in the Main storage or Auxiliary storage (True or False).

A301)  True

Q302) what is difference between call and link ?

A302)  In case of call , whenever you do changes to the called program you need to compile the calling program also. In case of link , it is not needed .

Q303) what are the differences between DFHCOMMAREA and TSQ ?

A303)  Both are used to save data among tasks. but 1. COMMAREA is private to that transaction only . like every transaction has its own COMMAREA created by CICS as soon as the transaction is initiated . however TSQ , if queue id is known can be accessed by other transactions also 2. COMMAREA length is s9(4) comp i.e. 65k . but TSQ can have any length.3. COMMAREA is available only during the transaction is running. TSQ if created with auxiliary option resides in aux memory and available even if main memory crashes.4.normally COMMAREA is used to transfer data from one task to another while tsq is used widely within the task as a scratch pad.

Q304) What is Communication Area?

A304)  Communication Area is used to pass data between the program or between the task.

Q305) Which of the following statements correctly describe the syntax of CICS command language?

A). If an EXEC CICS command must be continued onto a second line a hyphen (-) must be coded in column 7 of the continued line.

B). If an EXEC CICS command must be continued onto a second line an  ‘X’ must be coded in column 72 of each line to be continued.

C). An EXEC CICS command CANNOT be coded within a COBOL IF statement, between the IF command and the period (.) ending it.

D). The END-EXEC delimiter is optional and never needs to be placed at the end of a CICS command.

E). The options specified within an EXEC CICS command can be in any order.

A305)  E. The options specified within an EXEC CICS command can be in any order. For example ‘exec CICS Send From(Msg1) Length(30) End-Exec’ can also be coded ‘exec Cics Send Length(30) From(Msg1) End-Exec’

Q306) A CICS program ABENDS with an ASRA ABEND code. What is its meaning?

A)      A link was issued to a program whose name does not exist in the PPT (Program Processing Table).

B)      A program attempted to use a map that is not defined in the PCT (Program Control Table).

C)  A security violation has occurred. The operator is not defined with the proper authority in the SNT (Sign-

on Table) to use a particular file

D)       A program interrupt (0C0 or 0C1 or 0C2 or …) has occurred in a CICS program.

E)       An I/O error has occurred when attempting to use a VSAM file from a CICS program

A306)  A program interrupt (0C0 or 0C1 or 0C2 or …) has occurred in a CICS program.

Q307) Which of the following commands, when issued by 2 different programs running at the same time, will prevent simultaneous use of resource ‘SINGLE’?

B) EXEC CICS PROTECT RESOURCE(‘SINGLE’) LENGTH(6) END-EXEC.

C) EXEC CICS HOLD RESOURCE(‘SINGLE’) LENGTH(6) END-EXEC.

D) EXEC CICS TASK SINGLE(‘SINGLE’) LENGTH(6) END-EXEC.

E) EXEC CICS EXCLUSIVE RESOURCE(‘SINGLE’) LENGTH(6) END-EXEC.

A307)  EXEC CICS EXCLUSIVE RESOURCE(‘SINGLE’) LENGTH(6) END-EXEC

Q308) The map shown below is displayed with:

EXEC CICS SEND MAP(‘MAP1’) MAPSET(‘MAP1S’) MAPONLY END-EXEC. After the screen is displayed, the operator enters 1 character, the letter ‘X’. Where will the cursor now appear on the screen?

MAP1S DFHMSD

TYPE=MAP,MODE=INOUT,CTRL=(FREEKB,FRSET),LANG=COBOL, X TIOAPFX=YESMAP1

DFHMDI SIZE=(24,80) DFHMDF POS=(5,1),ATTRB=UNPROT,LENGTH=1FIELD2 DFHMDF

POS=(5,3),ATTRB=UNPROT,LENGTH=1FIELD3 DFHMDF

POS=(5,5),ATTRB=(UNPROT,IC),LENGTH=1FIELD4 DFHMDF

POS=(5,7),ATTRB=ASKIP,LENGTH=1FIELD5 DFHMDF

POS=(5,9),ATTRB=UNPROT,LENGTH=1,INITIAL=’Z’ DFHMDF

POS=(5,11),ATTRB=ASKIP,LENGTH=1 DFHMSD TYPE=FINAL

A) In the field with a POS=(5,1) B) In FIELD2. C) In FIELD3. D) In FIELD4. E) In FIELD5.

A308)  In FIELD5

Q309) How can you accomplish breakpoint in intertest?

A309)  U-for unconditional breakpoint, C-for conditional breakpoint, and A-for automatic breakpoint

Q310) How many ways are there for initiating a transaction? what are they?

A310)  There are six ways in initiating a transaction.they are as follows.

1.            embedding four character transid on the top left most corner of the screen.

2.            making use of EXEC CICS START TRANSID ( )

3.            making use of EXEC CICS RETURN TRANSID ( )

4.            By defining the transid in DCT (destination control table) to enable ATI (AUTOMATIC TASK INITIATION)

5.            Making use of PLT ( program list table)

6.            By associating four character transid in PCT (program control table)

Q311) Which type of TDQ is read destructive?

A311)  Intrapartition TDQ is read destructive. extra partition tdq is not read destructive.

Q312) The error code AEIV?

A312)  This is the error code for length, if length of the source data is more than the receiving field, This error will occur.

Q313) What is the size of commarea

A313)  The default commarea size is 65k.

Q314) What is ASRAABEND in CICS?

A314)  It occurs when program interruption takes place. e.g.: when alphanumeric string moved to numeric data item OR

when arithmetic calculations performed on nonnumeric data item OR when an attempt made to read an occurrence

of a table beyond the defined occurrences.

Q315) What is a two Phase commit in CICS?

A315)  This occurs when a programmer Issues a Exec CICS Syncpoint command. this is called two phase because CICS

will first commit changes to the resources under its control like VSAM files. and the DB2 changes are

committed. Usually CICS signals Db2 to complete the next phase and release all the locks.

Q316) Difference between TSQ & TDQ

A316)  TDQ is read destructive, TSQ is not. TSQ can be created dynamically, TDQ cannot be created dynamically. TSQ is

temporary in nature (i.e. it will be deleted when the program finishes execution, unless it is made permanent by

making a entry in the Temporary Storage Table), TDQ is not.

Q317) What is ENQ in CICS?

A317)  If any one want to restrict Trans-Id to single user, enter trans-id with ENQ. It won’t allow any one else to use the

same trans-id.

Q318) In SYMBOLIC Cursor Positioning after moving -1 to the length field also the cursor is not positioned in that particular field. Give reasons?

A318)  You have to explicitly specify the word CURSOR between your EXEC CICS and END-EXEC in the program.

Q319) What does EIB mean?

A319)  The EIB is the EXECUTIVE INTERFACE BLOCK. It is not the EXECUTE INTERFACE BLOCK. All TP

monitors or transaction processors are know as EXECUTIVEs as they carry out process on behalf of a program

module. CICS and DB2 are executives.

Q320) How many exceptional condition can be given in a HANDLE CONDITION?

A320)  Max. of 12 exceptional conditions can be given in a single HANDLE CONDITION.

Q321) How do you access the records randomly in TSQ ?

A321)  By specifying the ITEM option

Q322) What command do you issue to delete a record in a transient data queue ?

A322)  READQ TD, the read is destructive.

Q323) What are different ways of initiating transaction in CICS ?

A323)  We can initiate cics transaction a) by giving transaction id b) by giving cics start command c) automatic task

initiation.

Q324) What is the difference between LINK and XCTL ?

A324)  The XCTL command passes control to another program, but the resources requested by the first program may still

be allocated. A task does not end until a RETURN statement is executed. While in LINK command, program control

resumes its instruction following the LINK parameter. The disadvantage of LINK is that it requires that both the

calling program and the called program remain in main memory even though both are no longer needed.

Q325) What is the difference between CICS Program Control Table (PCT) and CICS Processing Program Table (PPT) ?

A325)  PCT contains a list of valid transaction ID. Each transaction ID is paired with the name of the program ,CICS will

load and execute when the transaction is invoked. On the other hand, PPT indicates each program’s location which

pertains to a storage address if the program has already been loaded or a disk location if the program hasn’t been

loaded. PPT will also be used to determine whether it will load a new copy of the program when the transaction is

invoked.

Q326) What are the 3 common ways to create maps?

A326)  The first way is to code a physical map and then code a matching symbolic map in your COBOL program. The

second way to create a physical map along with a matching symbolic map is to code only the physical map using the

&SYSPARM option, CICS will automatically create a member in a COPY library. And the third way is to use a

map generator such as SDF (Screen Definition Facility)

Q327) What is Quasi-reentrancy?

A327)  There are times when many users are concurrently using the same program, this is what we call MultiThreading. For

example, 50 users are using program A, CICS will provide 50 Working storage for that program but one Procedure

Division. And this technique is known as quasi-reentrancy

Q328) What is the difference between a physical BMS mapset and a logical BMS mapset?

A328)  The physical mapset is a load module used to map the data to the screen at execution time. The symbolic map is the

actual copybook member used in the program to reference the input and output fields on the screen.

Q329) How To Set MDT(Modified Data Tag) Thru Application Program?(Dynamically)?

A329)  You have to move the following macro DFHBMFSE to the Attribute field of that particular Variable.

Q330) What CICS facilities can you use to save data between the transactions?

A330)  COMMONAREA, TSQ & TDQ.

Q331) How would you release control of the record in a READ for UPDATE?

A331)  By issuing a REWRITE,DELETE, or UNLOCK command or by ending the task.

Q332) What is the difference between a RETURN with TRANSID and XCTL  ?For example prog. A is issuing REUTRN with TRANSID to prog B. Prog A. is issuing XCTL to prog B?

A332)  In RETURN with TRANSID the control goes to the CICS region and the user have to transfer the control to prog. B

by pressing any of the AID KEYS.In XCTL the control is directly transfer to prog. B.

Q333) What will be the length of the eibcalen ,if the transaction is used to cics first time?

A333)  The length will be 0(zero).

Q334) What is DFHEIBLK?

A334)  DFHEIBLK is Execute Interface Block. It is placed in the linkage section automatically by CICS translator program.

It must be the first entry in linkage section. CICS places values prior to giving control to the program and we can

find almost any information about our transaction.

Q335) What is the difference between the XCTL and LINK commands?

A335)  The LINK command anticipates return of control to the calling program, the XCTL command does not. Return to

the calling program will be the result of the CICS RETURN command, specifying TRANSID(name of the calling

program).

Q336) What CICS command would you use to read a VSAM KSDS sequentially in ascending order?

A336)  First issue a STARTBR(start browse), which will position the browse at the desired record. Retrieve records by

using subsequent READNEXT commands. Indicate the end of sequential processing with the ENDBR command. If

the generic key is specified in the STARTBR command positioning in the file will be before the first record

satisfying the generic key.For reading in descending order use the READPREV instead of READNEXT.

Q337) What is the difference between pseudo-conversational and conversational?

A337)  Pseudo-conversational will start a new task for each input. By coding a CICS RETURN command specifying ‘

TRANSID(itself). Conversational will have an active task during the duration of the data entry.

Q338) What is the COMMAREA(communications area)?

A338)  An area used to transfer data between different programs or between subsequent executions of the same program.

Needs to be defined in the Linkage Section.

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