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

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.

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – XI
2. CICS interview Questions Part – I
3. CICS interview Questions Part – III

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

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – X
2. CICS interview Questions Part – XII
3. CICS interview Questions Part – I

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

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – XI
2. CICS interview Questions Part – XII
3. CICS interview Questions Part – I

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.

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – I
2. CICS interview Questions Part – XII
3. CICS interview Questions Part – II

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

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – I
2. CICS interview Questions Part – XIII
3. CICS interview Questions Part – II

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.

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – III
2. CICS interview Questions Part – XI
3. CICS interview Questions Part – I

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

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – III
2. CICS interview Questions Part – I
3. CICS interview Questions Part – II

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.

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – III
2. CICS interview Questions Part – I
3. CICS interview Questions Part – II

‘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, and 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.

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – I
2. CICS interview Questions Part – II
3. CICS interview Questions Part – XI

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

………

Related posts:

1. CICS interview Questions Part – I
2. CICS interview Questions Part – II
3. CICS interview Questions Part – VI