After completing this course, the student should be able to:
 

	Give an overview of CICS concepts
	Describe characteristics of the application Programming Interface including the format and the program compilation/assembly process.
	Use File Control commands to access indexed files
	Pass data between programs using the LINK and XCTL commands
	Use the EIB and the CICS ASSIGN command to access system information
	Describe the BMS facility
	Use Terminal Control commands to communicate with terminals and other devices
	Use CICS commands and options to handle exceptional conditions
	Use CICS-supplied transactions CMAC and CEDF
	Code a short CICS program using basic CICS commands

Overview
Presents basic concepts and the Application Programming Interface.  Gives an overview of the compilation process.
 

	CICS Programming Considerations CICS concepts that affect how your COBOL program is written.  COBOL language requirements for interfacing with CICS.
	The COBOL Interface Advantages of using the Application Programming Interface (API).  Components and format of a CICS command using COBOL.  The RETURN command.
	Compiler Requirements Major steps in the compilation process.  The function of the COBOL translator.  Description of a sample program before and after translation.  The COBOL compiler and its associated restrictions.

Data Interfaces
Presents CICS API commands that control files and data storage.
 

	File Handling Accessing a file using the assigned CICS name.  Accessing a specific record using an index.  Reading data sequentially (browsing).  Updating data.
	Data Storage The CICS Storage Control function. How to access available storage.  Passing data between programs and transactions using the COMMAREA and the LINK and XCTL commands.
	Accessing System Information The Execute Interface Block (EIB).  The ASSIGN command.

Terminal Communications
Discusses the commands used to  communicate with terminals.
 

	Formatted data The definition of a map and how it relates to the terminal.  Tools for creating maps.  Communicating the map to the terminal.  Overview of BMS commands.
	Unformatted data How to use Terminal Control commands to communicate with terminals and other devices.

Exceptional Conditions
Discusses exceptional conditions and how to solve problems.
 

	Command-oriented Definition of exceptional conditions.  Using the RESP and NOHANDLE options.  Testing methods.
	Program-oriented HANDLE CONDITION and IGNORE commands.
	Solving Problems Format of error messages.  Using CMAC to interpret error messages. Using CEDF to trace the execution of a transaction.

Workshop
Provides an opportunity to practice coding a VS COBOL II program using CICS.