CICS/TS Application Programming Workshop Training

This five-day, hands-on workshop provides an in-depth understanding of CICS Transaction Server (CICS/TS) and the essential programming techniques for building efficient, scalable, and reliable CICS applications. Through a blend of theory, instructor-led lectures, and extensive practical labs, participants will develop real-world skills by writing multiple CICS programs and running live CICS transactions.

By the end of this course, attendees will be able to design and implement CICS programs that clearly separate presentation, business, and data logic, and make full use of BMS maps, command-level APIs, and program control techniques.

Benefits

• Hands-on coding experience with real CICS systems
• Develop production-ready programs using CICS API
• Gain practical knowledge of debugging and transaction control
• Suitable for classroom or virtual delivery

To gain the most from this course, attendees should have experience in COBOL, PL/I, or Assembler programming languages.
Familiarity with CICS concepts is helpful and can be obtained by attending the CICS Transaction Server Concepts & Facilities course.

This course is ideal for:

• Application developers working in CICS environments

• System programmers and analysts seeking deeper CICS knowledge

• Technical leads responsible for enterprise transaction systems

Participants will learn how to:

• Develop robust and maintainable CICS application programs

• Utilize core CICS command-level programming facilities

• Separate presentation layers from business and data logic

• Apply commonly used CICS API options

• Understand CICS architecture, task management, and program control

1. Introduction to CICS

• What is CICS and its role in enterprise systems

• Transactions, Tasks, and Programs

• CICS Transaction Server overview

• Accessing CICS (ISC, MRO, Web access)

• Resource Definition Online (RDO)

2. CICS Architecture

• Transaction startup and validation

• Multitasking and threading

• Dispatcher and program execution model

3. Command-Level API

• Command syntax, arguments, and translation

• Handling responses and conditions

• RESP, NOHANDLE, and HANDLE CONDITION usage

4. Application Design

• Conversational vs. Pseudo-conversational transactions

• Using COMMAREA for data exchange

• Three-tier architecture principles

5. Basic Mapping Support (BMS)

• Creating and using BMS maps

• Screen design with DFHMDI and DFHMDF macros

• Map generation and symbolic copybooks

6. Program Control

• LINK, XCTL, and RETURN commands

• Passing data between tasks and programs

• Channels and containers

7. File and Data Management

• File access commands (READ, WRITE, DELETE, etc.)

• Temporary storage and transient data queues

• Interval control and task management

8. Debugging and Diagnostics

• Using CECI and CEDF for testing

• ABEND handling and trace analysis

• Dump interpretation and error recovery

9. Screen Definition Facility (SDF II)

• Introduction to SDF II and screen design

10. Case Study

Participants will complete a step-by-step project building a backend business/data logic program integrating multiple CICS functions.