Sub-program to access VSAM files from CICS and batch

Elaine Pinnington · New User Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 6 Location: France

I have been asked to write a module that will accept a reference number, interrogate one of four VSAM files and return the details of the transaction(so no updates).
The requirement is to able to call this module from the online system and from batch (or write two modules). It is a really long time time since I've worked with CICS and VSAM so I'm not sure if it is possible to do this from one program and none here seems to know either!!!

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:45 pm

desolé, pas possible

the statements used for <file> handling/mangling are pretty different for the two environments

You will have to resort writing two modules,

Elaine Pinnington · New User Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 6 Location: France

That's what I thought but it's been a long time since I've worked in this environment ....

Thanks for the reply

Jose Mateo · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:27 am

Good day to all!

Access the below link, this article is based on LE routines for the z/VSE system but I think that you might have the same routines for MVS.

www.mainframezone.com/it-management/common-cobol-vse-applications-for-use-in-cics-and-batch-environments/P1

Bill O'Boyle · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:56 am

Jose,

The problem is that Batch File I-O must use Open, Read and Close Macros, which expand into SVC's and should never be used in CICS.

I was thinking perhaps if the target CICS region were still up and the File I-O activity was low, a Batch EXCI or ECI program could be written, along with a CICS Server program, which could Read the four different files passed by the EXCI/ECI caller, using CICS File API's (No File Open or Close are required). But if the activity were fairly busy, then neither of these would not be a favorable interface.

With that, a product named SYSB II would be an alternate for busy activity. It's sold by H&W Computer Systems (http://www.hwcs.com), of Boise, Idaho.

At one time CA marketed a competitive product named ShareOption5, but it was plagued with problems and I'm not sure whether they've been worked out.

As far as programmatically determining the run-environment, the CICS Macro DFHAFCD in both VSE and MVS environments has worked successfully for quite some time and continues to do so.

HTH....

Mr. Bill