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Status Delivered
Workspace CICS Transaction Server for z/OS
Categories Runtime
Created by Guest
Created on Apr 30, 2016

RELATED IDEAS

Expose some of CICS's API to Batch

CICS offers a very rich set of APIs to applications running in CICS. We wish to use some of these EXEC CICS commands in batch as well:
- EC ASKTIME
- EC FORMATTIME
- EC Channel API
- EC Document API
These APIs are not tied to transactional resources and we believe they could technically easily and efficiently implemented to work outside a CICS region.
Programmers start to imitate CICS API design like Channel Container with own coding (CALL-API) because they need similar functionality in their batch applications. This results in less efficient solutions, inferior to CICS, and even worse hinders and prevents the adoption of good and very suitable CICS API in application programs which will run in both CICS and batch.

Idea priority High
  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Jun 16, 2017

    This RFE is satisfied by CICS TS 5.4 which is generally available from today June 16th 2017.
    For more information see the announcement letter https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=an&subtype=ca&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS217-113

    The EXCI interface enables stand-alone applications running on z/OS to programatically interoperate with CICS hosted applications and APIs. This interface is now enhanced to add support for CICS channels and containers. This provides a mechanism to exchange large volumes of structured parameter data between batch applications and CICS applications. CICS applications that are coded to the channel and containers API and invoked using distributed Program Link (DPL) can also be invoked unchanged from an EXCI client, including CICS applications that run on earlier CICS TS releases that support channels and containers.

    This new API can also be used as a way to pass data between programs that run outside CICS, such as programs that make up a batch application, even if the application does not communicate with CICS.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     May 16, 2017

    This RFE is satisfied by CICS TS 5.4 which was announced on May 16th 2017 with a planned general availability date of June 16th 2017.
    For more information see the announcement letter https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=an&subtype=ca&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS217-113


    The EXCI interface enables stand-alone applications running on z/OS to programatically interoperate with CICS hosted applications and APIs. This interface is now enhanced to add support for CICS channels and containers. This provides a mechanism to exchange large volumes of structured parameter data between batch applications and CICS applications. CICS applications that are coded to the channel and containers API and invoked using distributed Program Link (DPL) can also be invoked unchanged from an EXCI client, including CICS applications that run on earlier CICS TS releases that support channels and containers.

    This new API can also be used as a way to pass data between programs that run outside CICS, such as programs that make up a batch application, even if the application does not communicate with CICS.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Aug 20, 2016

    This is something we would like to address. The RFE is being moved into 'Planned for Future release' status. Please note:
    IBM’s statements regarding its plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice at IBM’s sole discretion. Information regarding potential future products is intended to outline our general product direction and it should not be relied on in making a purchasing decision. The information mentioned regarding potential future products is not a commitment, promise, or legal obligation to deliver any material, code or functionality. Information about potential future products may not be incorporated into any contract. The development, release, and timing of any future features or functionality described for our products remains at our sole discretion.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Jul 5, 2016

    Support for channel/containers in batch alone would satisfy most of my requirement and will be very promising to our batch applications..

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Jul 4, 2016

    Of the APIs quoted, the only one likely to be implemented would be channels and containers as part of providing support for EXCI Channels and containers. However the channel and containers could be used within batch without ever DPLing into CICS if you so wished.

    If this were implemented, would channels and containers support on their own satisfy most of this requirement?

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