IMS Essentials Training in Ireland

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to IMS for all those new to the IMS environment. It provides ideal cross-training for application support specialists from disciplines such as CICS, COBOL, JAVA, or DB2.<br><br> The course introduces and explains all areas of IMS databases in both the Batch and Online environments, including data access using the DL/I Language Interface and the maintenance of data integrity using the DBRC feature.<br> Written exercises reinforce the formal tuition sessions. These include the analysis of sample applications and use of the procedures and utilities required to recover from various application and system failures.<br><br>

A general understanding of the IBM enterprise server (mainframe) computing environment and an appreciation of application development concepts is assumed.

• describe the architecture of IMS batch and online systems
• analyse database and communication calls
• identify appropriate logical and physical database design features
• describe the structure of secondary indexes and logical relationships
• use IMS utilities to backup, restore, and reorganize the database
• discuss the facilities available in IMS to provide data integrity and system availability.
• trace the flow of a transaction through an IMS system

Introduction to IMS

Why Use a Database?; Database types; Hierarchical terminology; Processing path; Accessing data; Database implementation; IMS online environment; Message Format Services (MFS); Utilities; Logging; Operational responsibilities.

Introduction to Batch Programming

DL/I Language Interface; Program Specification Block (PSB); IMS Call Format; Function code; Record retrieval Workshop.

Advanced Database Programming

Update processing; Command codes; PCB Addressing; Boolean SSAs; Workshop.

Database Environment

Program Specification Block (PSB); PSB statements; PCB; PROCOPTs; PSB generation; ACB generation; PSB/program relationships; Batch JCL; Workshop.

Database Implementation - 1

DBD; Database Organisation and Access Methods.

Database Implementation - 2

Secondary indexing; Secondary data structure; Stand-Alone processing; Things to consider; Logical relationships.

Database Implementation - 3

An introduction to HALDB features and processing options.

Database Backup and Recovery

Logging; Image Copy; Reorganisation; Database Recovery Control (DBRC); associated tools and utilities.

IMS/TM Concepts & Facilities

IMS/DC configuration; Control (CTL) region; DL/I Separate Address Space (DLISAS); Database Recovery Control (DBRC); Message Processing Region (MPR); Batch Message Processing (BMP) region; Message scheduling; Logging.

IMS Online Programming - 1

Message Processing Program (MPP); Transaction codes & flow; Input message segment; Output message segment; IMS message calls; IO PCB mask; Common status codes; Workshop.

Message Format Services

MFS control blocks; DIF/DOF coding; MID/MOD coding; Attributes; Message management.

IMS Online Programming - 2

Alternate PCB; Using Alternate PCB; Transaction switching; Conversational programming; Using Checkpoint/Restart; Workshop.

Fast Path

General characteristics; Fast Path EMH; Data Entry Database (DEDB); Main Storage Database.

Online IMS System Recovery and Restart

Logging; Restart Data Set (RDS); Archiving; Contents of the Log; Normal restart; Emergency restart.

Sharing Data and Data Sharing

Sharing access - the problem; Sharing access - solutions; Control region / DLISAS; Program isolation; Locking; Deadlock resolution; Data sharing; Database-Level Sharing; Block-level sharing; DBCTL.

IMS Operations

Operational considerations; Operations planning; Starting IMS; Stopping IMS; Online change facility; Controlling IMS.

IMS Performance Management

DB performance; DB monitor; Database buffer pools; DC performance.