CICS-FileServ for OS390

The Intelligent CICS File Server

9% of all work performed in IS departments involved in manipulation or maintenance of the data files. Host based systems, EDI transactions, file transfers and client/server all increase the demand. Yet application programmers, system programmers, and operators struggle along with an incomplete set of tools. It's like trying to saw wood with a saw that has no teeth. The growing complexities of today's information systems environments coupled with reassignment of valuable IS resources are having profound effects. This places new emphasis on management and control of files accessed through CICS.

CICS-FileServ is an on-line menu-driven system utility, operating under CICS, that provides the means to dynamically create and maintain all file definitions required by CICS by using the FileServ interface to RDO.

  • OVERVIEW
    OVERVIEW
    OVERVIEW
    OVERVIEW
    OVERVIEW
    OVERVIEW
  • AT-A-GLANCE
    AT-A-GLANCE
    AT-A-GLANCE
    AT-A-GLANCE
    AT-A-GLANCE
    AT-A-GLANCE
  • FEATURES
    FEATURES
    FEATURES
    FEATURES
    FEATURES
    FEATURES
  • REQUIREMENTS
    REQUIREMENTS
    REQUIREMENTS
    REQUIREMENTS
    REQUIREMENTS
    REQUIREMENTS

OVERVIEW

The FileServ interface greatly simplifies the process for the user by doing the following:

  • Fits all data for RDO file processing onto one screen rather than three screens required by RDO.
  • Provides help in window boxes which appear beside the entry in question by simply pressing PF1 (the CUA standard help key). Help is provided on every field displayed in the FileServ system. RDO does not provide help text.
  • FileServ does not require that the user know what RDO group the file resides in. All files within the CICS region are connected to the group they were installed from by FileServ and all inquiries on a file name will automatically display it from the correct group. Group name is only required when doing a delete or define function.
  • When a file is viewed using FileServ, the current service requests that are in force are displayed along with the service requests that the file was initially installed with. The status of the file is displayed (open, closed, enabled, disabled).
  • One of the more powerful functions of the interface is the ability to page backward and forward through the DFHCSD file in file name sequence without changing group names. FileServ automatically takes care of this for you.
  • FileServ, in addition to the single file viewing capabilities, provides two multi-file displays. With the touch of a PF key, all files can be viewed in file name sequence along with their associated group name. To perform RDO functions on a file, simply tab to the desired file, press a PF key and the file is displayed by the interface system ready for processing. The second multi-file display shows files with their dsname, group, current status and a command area to open, close, activate, allocate or deallocate the file or files.

In addition to the RDO interface, FileServ will automatically close and deactivate files which have not been accessed in a specified amount of time (specified by the option table) thereby releasing storage and resources tied up by the unused file.

A powerful batch interface system is provided which allows batch processing to run concurrently with CICS activity.

A file utility is provided which allows manipulation of CICS files: files can be searched for hex/character strings, data may be replaced, files may be merged or created, records can be added, deleted, or modified, record lengths can be modified, and records may be printed. This very abbreviated description of the file maintenance system will be expanded later in the manual.

Files, program names and transaction IDs can be placed in a FileServ “family” file and operated on by family name. For example, up to ninety files can be opened by simply opening the family name; or all transactions that access a given file could be disabled by disabling the family name containing the transaction IDs.

AT-A-GLANCE

  • Produces all the required file labels and file assignments needed by CICS.
  • Automatically closes and deactivates files which have not been used for a specified interval of time, thereby freeing the resources that were tied up by an inactive file.
  • Complete file status and file definition information is instantly available for inquiry or authorized modification.
  • Control over files is easily maintained.

FEATURES

  • File assignment
    Produces all the required file labels and file assignments needed by CICS.
  • Automated close and deactivate
    Automatically closes and deactivates files which have not been used for a specified interval of time, thereby freeing the resources that were tied up by an inactive file.
  • User friendly FCT administration
    Control over files is easily maintained.
  • File Audit
    Complete file status and file definition information is instantly available for inquiry or authorized modification.
  • Status code
    Frees operator of responsibility for opening and closing of files to applications. Files can be given various status codes to eliminate the need for any operator intervention.
  • BDAM integrity
    Will not abnormally terminate CICS if a BDAM file is opened that was improperly defined or not found on disk (DOS users).
  • Batch capability
    Allows on-line files to be opened or closed from a batch partition or region.
  • Transaction and program disablement
    Allows transactions and/or programs associated with a file to be disabled when the file is closed and enabled when the file is opened.
  • File statistics and reporting
    Provides complete reporting of file definitions with up-to-the-minute statistical information.
  • Support for remote file definitions
    Supports most types of file definitions, including remote file definitions.
  • Online file manipulation
    File records of any file in CICS may be displayed, altered, added, deleted or browsed with the file service functions.
  • Hex view and update facility
    Data records are displayed in both hex and character, allowing changes to be made in either mode.
  • Record search
    Data records may be searched for the presence of a hex or character string.
  • Search using LOCATE
    An entire file may be searched using the LOCATE function. Queries may be constructed using Boolean logic. Selected records can be displayed, modified, deleted, added to another file, or printed.
  • Online record reformatting
    Data records may be reformatted on-line using the LOCATE function.
  • Duplicate Key isolation
    Duplicate key data can be isolated using the LOCATE function.
  • Non-numeric search
    Non-numeric data fields can be found with the LOCATE function.
  • Extend variable length records
    The length of variable-length records can be changed with the file service functions.
  • Sequential file administration
    Sequential files can be displayed, updated and searched.
  • Batch interface
    Service requests for files may be varied to UPDATE or NOUPDATE through the Batch Interface program.
  • Documentation and help facility
    An extensive help system has been included, which provides detailed help displays for every field displayed by the FileServ system.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Mainframe
    IBM z/Architecture and compatible
  • Operating System
    MVS/ESA
    OS/390 2.10 or later
    z/OS 1.8 or later 
  • Host System
    CICS Transaction Server 3.2 or later
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CICS-FileServ for VSE