What is XCTL in CICS?

Description. XCTL transfers control from one application program to another at the same logical level. The program from which control is transferred is released. If the program to which control is transferred is not already in main storage, it is loaded. This command operates in the current application context.

What is link and XCTL in CICS?

Link is used to go from one module to another and then return to the first module such that the link to a module is used to provide the first some data. Whereas XCTL is used to go from one module without a need to return to the first module.

How the data can be passed to a called program when calling via link or XCTL command?

COMMAREA(data-area) – COMMAREA is optional entry in XCTL command. Calling program always passes the pointer to the data area to called program. Subprogram or called program needs to receive it by using DFHCOMMAREA declaration in LINKAGE SECTION.

How do I start a transaction in CICS?

You start a CICS transaction by pressing the CLEAR key to clear the screen, and entering the transaction identifier, either by itself or followed by data, on the command line of the screen. The command line is a single line, usually at the top of the screen.

When program a XCTL to program B what will happen?

4) What happens when PROGRAM-A XCTL’s to PROGRAM-B and a RETURN/GO BACK is issued in PROGRAM-B? Generally RETURN/GO BACK is issued if current program is returning to a program which is one level above current program. But when we issue XCTL to another program it never expected to return to the calling program.

What is Commarea in CICS?

The COMMAREA specifies the name of a data area (known as a communication area ) in which data is passed to a program or transaction. It is an option of the LINK, XCTL, and RETURN commands. In a receiving COBOL program, you must give the data area the name DFHCOMMAREA. …

What is Commarea and how this is useful?

COMMAREA – generally this option is used along with the TRANSID option to send data back to program which executes the Transaction ID so that it is used while executing that transid. CHANNEL – A channel name can be supplied to send some data back.

What is a transaction in CICS?

Transaction. A transaction is an item of processing that is initiated by a single request. This request is usually from an end-user at a terminal, but can also be made from a web page, a remote workstation program, or an application in another CICS system, or triggered automatically at a predefined time.

What is PPT in CICS?

PPT is known as Processing Program Table. PPT contains Program name or Mapset name, Task Use Counter, Language, Size, Main storage address, Load library address, etc. CICS receives the transaction and a corresponding program name is allocated to the transaction from the PCT. It checks if the program is loaded or not.

What is the use of Commarea?

The COMMAREA specifies the name of a data area (known as a communication area ) in which data is passed to a program or transaction. It is an option of the LINK, XCTL, and RETURN commands.

What is Eibaid in CICS?

EIBAID is one byte long and holds the actual attention identifier value used in the 3270 input stream. CICS provides us with a pre-coded set of variables which can be used in the application program by writing the following statement − COPY DFHAID.

What is max size of Commarea?

A CICS commarea is limited to 32K – 1, the maximum value that can be stored in a signed halfword. There is no way to have a commarea larger than 32K – 1. One mechanism to get around this limitation is to use channels.