Target Audience

The course provides the COBOL or PL/1 developer with full IMS/DC training. It contains the detail necessary for developers who may need to maintain, develop, test or support online IMS COBOL or PL/1 programs. The course covers the concepts and use of Transaction Management in IMS, with practical exercises to include the necessary statements and logic into Message Processing Programs.

Pre-requisites

Knowledge of COBOL or PL/1 is required. This can be gained by attending either course BT05 or BT06. Knowledge of IMS/DB would be an advantage. This can be gained by attending either course GT01 or GT02.

Course Objectives

On completion of this course the student will be able to:

•     Write a typical Message Processing Program
•     Describe the differences in conversational programs
•     Describe the useful facilities of IMS DC
•     Write and test a simple PSB
•     Use BTS to test an MPP
•     Understand and use simple MFS

Course Environment

Development will be performed using:

•     IBM Mainframe

Course Details

INTRODUCTION TO IMS/DC

DB and DC Comparison

IMS Program Execution

Batch Message Processing Program (BMP)

IMS Message Scheduling

Logical Terminal Concept

IMS Message Types

IMS/DC PROGRAMMING

IMS Commands

The I/O PCB

IMS/DC Program Execution

Message Calls

IMS/DC Status Codes

Alternate Destinations

Program to Program Messages

Modifiable PCBs

Express PCBs

Conversational Processing

CONVERSATIONAL PROGRAMS

The Scratch Pad Area

Conversational Program Structure

CHECKPOINT AND RECOVERY

Commit Points

Types of Checkpoint

GSAM Database

BATCH TERMINAL SIMULATOR (BTS)

BTS Overview

./T Command Statement

./D Command Statement

./O Command Statement

Other BTS Command Statements

MESSAGE FORMAT SERVICE (MFS)

MFS Objectives

MFS Message Descriptor

MFS Device Format

Application Programs & MFS

MFS Control Block Chaining

Course Format

Practical sessions make up a large part of the course, allowing delegates to demonstrate and reinforce the lectures given. During these sessions the delegate will gain experience of writing and testing a well structured COBOL or PL/1 online program to access IMS transactions, using the parameters taught.

Delegates will also be able to access a free help-line with technical questions relating to topics covered on the course.