CICS Interview Questions for Freshers
1. What is CICS?
CICS full form is (Customer Information Control System). It is a software system that
helps organizations manage their day-to-day business operations. Think of it as a
central hub that connects various applications and allows them to interact with each
other.
For example, if you are using an ATM to withdraw money, CICS would be the software
that connects the ATM to your bank account and handles the transaction.
It is a middleware software system developed by IBM that enables multiple
applications to run concurrently and communicate with each other in real time.
It is used in the mainframe system. CICS mainframe provides a runtime
environment for executing business transactions, managing resources, and
providing security, scalability, and reliability for the applications it supports.
2. What are the basic functions of CICS?
Some of the basic functions of CICS include the following:
Transaction management: CICS provides facilities to initiate, monitor, and
control the execution of transactions, which are the basic units of work in an
OLTP system.
Task management: CICS creates and manages tasks that execute
programs, handle input and output, and communicate with other tasks.
Program management: CICS provides facilities to load, link, and execute
programs written in a variety of programming languages, including COBOL, PL/I,
Assembler, and C.
Data management: CICS provides access to various types of data sources,
including databases, files, and message queues. CICS also provides facilities to
manage data integrity and concurrency.
Communications management: CICS provides facilities to manage
communication between applications running in different CICS regions or
different systems.
Security management: CICS provides facilities to protect data and resources
from unauthorized access and control access to CICS transactions and
programs.
System management: CICS provides facilities to manage the CICS system
itself, including monitoring system performance, managing system resources, and
maintaining system availability.
3. Explain TCT and RCT.
TCT (Terminal Control Table): The TCT is a table that stores information about
each terminal connected to the CICS system. This information includes the
terminal device type, device address, and current status. The TCT is used by CICS
to manage terminal activity, such as routing transactions to the correct terminal
and managing screen displays. When a user initiates a transaction, CICS uses the
TCT to determine which terminal the user is using and to route the transaction
to that terminal. The TCT also helps to manage terminal resources and ensures
that terminals are being used efficiently.
RCT (Resource Control Table): The RCT is a table that stores
information about various resources in the CICS system, such as files,
programs, and transactions. This information includes the resource name,
status, location, and other details. The RCT is used by CICS to manage resource
activity, such as allocating and deallocating resources and coordinating
resource sharing between multiple users. For example, if multiple users need
to access the same file, the RCT will ensure that the file is locked and that users
can access it without conflicts. The RCT also helps to manage system
resources and ensures that they are being used efficiently.
The TCT and RCT work together to manage CICS resources and control terminals. For
example, when a user initiates a transaction, CICS uses the TCT to determine which
terminal the user is using and to route the transaction to that terminal. CICS then
uses the RCT to allocate the necessary resources, such as programs and files, and to
coordinate resource sharing between multiple users.
4. Difference between PCT (Program Control Table)
and FCT (File Control Table)?
PCT (Program Control FCT (File Control Table)
Table)
It manages programs and It manages files and
transactions in a CICS system. datasets in a CICS system.
It contains information about It contains information
each program or transaction, about each file or dataset,
such as the program name, such as the file name,
transaction ID, and load record format, and physical
module name. location.
It is used by CICS to load and It is used by CICS to manage
execute programs and file access and processing,
transactions and to manage such as reading, writing,
program flow. and updating files.
It allows CICS to It allows CICS to
dynamically load and m a n a g e f i l e access
execute programs, and to modes, such as read-
maintain program o n l y, w r i t e - o n l y, o r
versions and libraries. update.
It can be updated It requires a system
dynamically by authorized shutdown to update the
users without requiring a FCT.
system shutdown.
The PCT is typically stored in The FCT is typically stored
the main storage (in memory) in auxiliary storage (on
to improve program disk) to reduce memory
execution speed. usage.
5. What are the main components of a CICS system?
A CICS system is composed of several key components that work together to process
transactions and manage system resources. Some of the main components are:
CICS Region: A CICS region is a logical grouping of CICS resources, including
terminals, programs, and files. It is responsible for managing system resources
and processing transactions.
Terminal Control Program (TCP): The TCP manages communication
between the CICS system and user terminals. It handles input and output
operations, manages screen displays, and processes user requests.
Program Control Table (PCT): The PCT is a table that contains
information about programs and transactions in the CICS system. It is
used to load and execute programs and to manage program flow.
File Control Table (FCT): The FCT is a table that contains information about
files and datasets in the CICS system. It is used to manage file access and
processing, such as reading, writing, and updating files.
Resource Definition Online (RDO): The RDO is a facility that is used to
define and manage CICS resources, such as programs, files, and transactions. It
allows authorized users to create, modify, and delete resources in the CICS
system.
Data Communication System (DCS): The DCS manages
communication between the CICS system and other systems or
applications. It provides communication protocols, message formatting,
and network connectivity.
CICS Commands: CICS provides a set of commands that are used to manage
system resources and perform transactions. These commands are typically
entered by users through terminal screens or batch jobs.
6. What is the difference between a program and a
transaction in CICS?
Program: A program in CICS is a set of instructions written in a high-level
language, such as COBOL or PL/I. It is compiled, linked, and executed within the
CICS environment. A program can perform a specific task, such as updating a file
or generating a report.
Transaction: A transaction in CICS is a logical unit of work that is processed by
the system. It represents a user request, such as a query, an update, or a retrieval
of information. A transaction is initiated by a user through a terminal or other
input device, and it typically involves a sequence of program executions.
7. Describe CICS Task.
A CICS task is a logical unit of work initiated by a CICS transaction. It consists of a
sequence of program calls and operations that are performed by CICS on behalf of
the transaction. Each task has its environment and resources, including program
work areas, communication buffers, and system control blocks.
Tasks can run in parallel with other tasks within a CICS region and can communicate
with each other and exchange data using a variety of techniques. When the task is
complete, CICS frees the resources allocated to it and returns control to the
transaction.
8. How are transactions processed in CICS?
There are certain steps followed while the transaction is being processed. The steps
are-
[Link] user initiates the transaction: A user initiates a transaction by sending a
request through a terminal or other input device. The user enters a transaction
code, which is associated with a program or set of programs that perform the
requested task.
[Link] identification and routing: The CICS system receives
the transaction request and identifies the program or programs that need
to be executed. The system also determines the resources, such as files
and databases, that the transaction needs to access.
[Link] execution: The CICS system loads and executes the required
programs to perform the transaction. The programs perform the requested
task, such as updating a file or generating a report.
4. Resource management: During program execution, the transaction may need
to access system resources, such as files or databases. The CICS system manages
resource allocation and ensures that the transaction has the necessary
permissions to access the resources.
[Link] storage: If the transaction updates data, the CICS system stores the data in
temporary storage until the transaction is complete. If the transaction
completes successfully, the updated data is written to permanent storage.
[Link] completion: Once the transaction is complete, the CICS system
returns control to the user, and the user receives a response or output based on
the requested task
9. What is the difference between a transient and a
permanent dataset in CICS?
Transient Permanent
Dataset Dataset
Purpose Temporary Permanent storage
storage for data for data retention
processing
Location Stored in main Stored in
storage secondary storage
(like - disk or
tape)
Lifespan Exists only for the Exists until
duration of the explicitly deleted
transaction or the system is
shut down
Size Limited by the Limited by the
limitations amount of amount of
available
available main secondary
storage storage
Access Directly Accessed through
accessed by CICS file control
programs
Recovery Not recoverable in Recoverable
case of system through backup and
failure restore procedures
Let’s understand the use case scenario of both datasets.
Transient datasets are typically used to hold intermediate results or temporary
data that is not needed beyond the current job or program execution. Transient
datasets are automatically deleted when the job or program completes or
terminates. One common use case for transient datasets is batch processing.
For example - a batch job that processes a large amount of data might
create temporary datasets to hold intermediate results, such as sorted or
filtered data. These temporary datasets can then be passed as input to
subsequent steps in the batch job.
Permanent datasets can be accessed and updated by multiple jobs or
programs and can be used for long-term storage of important data. A common
use case for permanent datasets is in storing transactional data, such as
customer orders or financial transactions.
In this scenario, the permanent dataset would be used to store the transactional data
for future reference or analysis. Permanent datasets can also be used to store system
configuration data, such as application settings or user preferences.
10. What is the purpose of the CICS Resource
Definition Online (RDO), and how is it used?
It is a facility that is used to define and manage CICS system resources. The
purpose of RDO is to provide a centralized and consistent way to define and
manage system resources, such as files, programs, transactions, and terminals.
Resource definition: RDO is used to define system resources and their
attributes, such as record layouts for files or transaction codes for programs.
Resource maintenance: RDO is used to maintain system resources,
such as changing the attributes of a file or deleting a transaction code.
Security: RDO is used to control access to system resources by defining security
profiles for users and groups.
Backup and recovery: RDO is used to manage the backup and recovery of
system resources by defining backup and recovery procedures for each resource.
Performance monitoring: RDO is used to monitor the performance of system
resources by collecting and analyzing performance statistics.
RDO is used through a set of commands and panels that are accessed through the
CICS system console or an interactive terminal session. The RDO commands are used
to define, modify, and delete system resources, while the RDO panels provide a
graphical interface for resource management and monitoring.
11. How can we read a CSAM File in CICS?
To read a VSAM file in a CICS program, we can use the following steps:
[Link] the file in the CICS program using a FILE control entry (FCT) in the
program's PCT.
[Link] the file using the CICS OPEN command with the appropriate options. The
options will depend on the access method required for the VSAM file (like -
random, or sequential).
[Link] the data from the file using the CICS READ command with the appropriate
options. Again, the options will depend on the access method and type of data
to be read from the file.
4. After reading the required data, close the file using the CICS CLOSE command.
Consider the below command for the same:
EXEC
CICS
OPEN
FILE(MYVSAMF)
RIDFLD(MYKEY)
TYPE(EXCI)
END-EXEC
EXEC
CICS
READ
FILE(MYVSAMF)
INTO(MYDATA)
LENGTH(MYLEN)
END-EXEC
EXEC CICS
CLOSE
FILE(MYVSAMF)
12. What is “TransID”? Why is it used and where is it
defined?
CICS Interview
Transaction Identifier (TransID) is a short name or identifier that is used to
identify a specific CICS transaction program. It is a unique identifier that is used to
invoke a specific CICS transaction program and can be thought of as a program
name or entry point.
A “TransID” is typically a 4-character alphanumeric string, and is defined in the CICS
system definition (CSD) file. When a user initiates a transaction, they specify the
Transid of the program they want to execute, and CICS invokes that program.
“TransIDs” is used extensively in CICS to initiate transactions and execute transaction
programs. They are also used for program-to-program communication, where a
program can pass control to another program using its TransID.
13. How Error Handling is done in CICS?
CICS provides various mechanisms for error handling to ensure that programs can
handle any unexpected errors or exceptions that occur during runtime. Here are
some ways in which error handling can be achieved in CICS:
Return codes: CICS programs can return various return codes depending on the
success or failure of an operation. These return codes can be checked and
handled appropriately in the calling program to take corrective action.
Condition handling: CICS programs can use the EXEC CICS HANDLE ABEND
command to handle abnormal termination (ABEND) conditions that occur
during runtime. This command allows the program to take corrective action
when an unexpected exception occurs.
Recovery routines: CICS programs can define recovery routines that can be
executed when an error occurs. These recovery routines can be used to take
corrective action and retry the operation or to log the error for analysis.
Exception handling: CICS programs can use the EXEC CICS HANDLE
CONDITION command to handle specific exceptions that may occur during
runtime. This command allows the program to take corrective action when a
specific exception occurs.
Logging and tracing: CICS provides various logging and tracing facilities that
can be used to track and diagnose errors that occur during runtime. These
facilities can be used to identify the root cause of an error and take corrective
action.
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CICS Interview
14. What is COMMAREA and explain its benefits.
COMMAREA stands for Communication Area, which is a shared data area that is used
by CICS programs to exchange information with each other. The COMMAREA can be
used to pass data between programs that are executed within the same CICS task or
between different CICS tasks.
Using COMMAREA has several advantages:
It helps in efficient and fast data exchange between programs without the
overhead of writing data to a file or database.
It has a standardized format for data exchange between programs that ensures
consistent and reliable communication.
It allows Dynamic data sharing without the need for pre-defined data structures
or file layouts.
It reduces I/O overhead which leads to improved performance of the
application.
It uses Transaction-based processing within a single atomic operation which
leads to consistent and accurate data.
15. What are the different types of DFHMDF present in
the CICS Set?
DFHMDF stands for CICS Map Definition Facility, which is used to define maps for CICS
applications. There are different types of DFHMDF present in the CICS set. Each type
serves a specific purpose and is used to define various aspects of CICS applications,
such as maps, programs, files, and terminals. Below mentioned some of the DFHMDF
sets:
BMS: Basic Mapping Support. This is the standard format for defining CICS
maps.
PCT: Program Control Table. This is used to define the properties of the CICS
program, such as its name and entry point.
FCT: File Control Table. This is used to define the properties of CICS files, such as
the file name, record format, and key length.
TCT: Terminal Control Table. This is used to define the properties of CICS
terminals, such as the terminal type, model, and keyboard layout.
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CICS Interview
XCTL: Transient Program Control. This is used to transfer control from one CICS
program to another.
MDT: Map Destination Table. This is used to define the properties of the output
destination for a CICS map.
MCT: Map Conversion Table. This is used to define the properties of the data
conversion process for a CICS map.
16. How does CICS differ from other transaction
processing systems?
Most transaction Processing System offers the same, But here are some ways in
which CICS differs from other transaction processing systems:
Type to enter text
Application flexibility: It provides a high degree of application flexibility and
has support for multiple programming languages, like - COBOL, PL/I, C,
C++, and Assembler. This flexibility makes it easy for developers to write and
maintain complex applications that require a variety of programming
languages.
Scalability: It is designed to handle large and complex transaction processing
environments and can scale to meet the demands of large organizations. It can
support thousands of transactions per second and can handle millions of users.
Reliability: It is a highly reliable transaction processing system that offers
features such as automatic restart, recovery, and backup. It can recover from
system failures and errors quickly and efficiently.
Security: It provides a wide range of security features, like - user authentication,
authorization, and encryption. It can also protect against unauthorized access
and attacks from external sources.
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Integration: It provides a wide range of integration capabilities, including
CICS Interview
support for various messaging systems, databases, and middleware
technologies. This integration allows CICS to interact with other systems and
applications seamlessly.
17. Explain some of the most commonly used CICS
Commands.
EXEC CICS LINK - This command is used to invoke a program from within
another program in the same CICS region.
EXEC CICS XCTL - This command is used to transfer control from one program
to another within the same task.
EXEC CICS RETURN - This command is used to return control from a program to
the program that has been called.
EXEC CICS SEND - This command is used to send data to another program or
terminal.
EXEC CICS RECEIVE - This command is used to receive data from
another program or terminal.
EXEC CICS READ - This command is used to read data from a file.
EXEC CICS WRITE - This command is used to write data to a file.
EXEC CICS START - This command is used to start a task that will run
concurrently with the current task.
EXEC CICS SYNCPOINT - This command is used to synchronize changes
made to a database during a transaction.
EXEC CICS ENDMULTI - This command is used to end a loop that was
started with the EXEC CICS DO command.
EXEC CICS ASKTIME - This command is used to obtain the current date and time
from the CICS system clock.
EXEC CICS ASSIGN - This command is used to assign a value to a
field or variable.
EXEC CICS SET - This command is used to set the value of a system control block
or resource.
EXEC CICS INQUIRE - This command is used to obtain information
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about a resource or system control block.
CICS Interview
EXEC CICS GETMAIN - This command is used to allocate main
storage (i.e. memory) for use by a program.
EXEC CICS FREEMAIN - This command is used to release the main
storage that was allocated using the GETMAIN command.
EXEC CICS XCTLTRAN - This command is used to transfer control from
one task to another within the same CICS region.
EXEC CICS LINKPGM - This command is used to invoke a program that
resides in a different CICS region.
EXEC CICS RETURNTRANS - This command is used to terminate a
transaction and return control to the terminal or application that initiated it.
EXEC CICS SEND MAP - This command is used to send a screen or map to a
18. What is the difference between a VSAM KSDS and
a VSAM RRDS file? List in detail.
VSAM KSDS VSAM RRDS
Full form Key Relative Record
Sequenced Data Set.
Data Set.
Acces Keyed access Relative byte
s method. address access
Meth method.
od
Record Records are Records are
Retrieval retrieved retrieved based on
the relative byte
based on the address.
key value.
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Record Records can CICS Interview
Insertion be inserted in
ascending or Records can be
descending inserted at any
order based available slot in the
on the key dataset.
value.
Record Records Records can be
Deletion can be deleted based on
deleted the relative byte
using the address.
key value.
Reco Records Records can be
rd can be updated using the
upda updated relative byte
te using the address.
key value.
19. What is EIB? Explain in detail. Also, list the
information this contains.
EIB stands for Execution Interface Block, and it is a data structure used by CICS to
communicate information between a CICS task and the CICS system. The EIB is
available to all CICS programs and contains information about the current task, the
transaction, and the environment in which the task is running.
CICS programs can access the EIB using the EXEC CICS GET EIB command
to retrieve information about the current task and environment. The EIB can also
be updated using the EXEC CICS SET EIB command to set values for certain EIB
fields.
The EIB contains the following information:
Task information: This includes the task number, the task type (batch or
online), and the transaction code that initiated the task.
Security information: This includes the user ID and the security level of the
task.
Date and time information: This includes the current date and time.
Terminal information: This includes the terminal ID and the device type of the
terminal.
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Program information: This includes the program name and the program
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CICS Interview
Language environment information: This includes the language
environment ID and the associated data.
20. How do you ensure data integrity in a CICS program?
Ensuring data integrity is an important aspect of any application, and CICS provides
various mechanisms to maintain the integrity of data in a transactional environment.
Here are some ways through which we can ensure data integrity in a CICS program:
Use CICS Syncpoints: A Syncpoint is a checkpoint in the transaction where CICS
ensures that all updates made to the resources are either committed or rolled
back. By using Syncpoints, we can ensure that updates are committed only if all
updates are successful, and rolled back if any update fails. This ensures that data
is consistent and reliable.
Use CICS Restart: CICS Restart is a facility that enables a program to recover
from failures. By using CICS Restart, we can ensure that updates made to
resources are not lost in the event of a failure, such as a system crash or network
outage.
Use CICS journaling: CICS journaling is a facility that records changes made
to resources, such as files or databases. By using journaling, we can ensure that
changes made to resources can be replayed in the event of a failure, thereby
ensuring that data is consistent and reliable.
Use CICS program-controlled logging: Program-controlled logging is a
technique where the program explicitly logs changes made to resources. By
using program-controlled logging, we can ensure that changes made to
resources are logged in a controlled manner, thereby ensuring data integrity.
Use CICS Resource Control Table (RCT): The RCT is a facility that enables
you to define rules for accessing resources. By using the RCT, we can ensure that
only authorized programs can access resources, thereby ensuring data integrity.
These are just a few examples of how we can ensure data integrity in a CICS program.
By using a combination of these techniques, we can create a robust and reliable
application that ensures data integrity.
21. How Dynamic Memory Allocation is Handled in
the CICS Program?
Dynamic memory allocation in CICS programs is typically handled using the CICS
dynamic storage allocation services. These services provide a way for programs to
dynamically allocate and deallocate memory at runtime.
There are several CICS dynamic storage allocation services available, Some of them
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are -
CICS Interview
GETMAIN: This service is used to allocate a block of memory of a specified size.
The allocated block can then be used by the program for temporary storage.
FREEMAIN: This service is used to deallocate a block of memory that was
previously allocated using GETMAIN. This releases the memory back into the
system for reuse.
PUT and GET: These services are used to allocate and deallocate storage for the
duration of a task. PUT is used to allocate storage, while GET is used to
deallocate storage.
EXEC CICS HANDLE CONDITION: This service is used to handle storage
violations that may occur during dynamic storage allocation. If a storage
violation occurs, the program can use this service to handle the error and take
appropriate action.
Programs can use these services to allocate memory for variables, tables, and other
data structures needed at runtime. The allocated memory can be used for the
duration of the program's execution and is automatically deallocated when the
program terminates.
22. List out some points through which you can
optimize the CICS performance.
We can write efficient code using appropriate algorithms and data structures to
optimize performance.
We can use caching and buffering techniques to minimize the number of I/O
operations.
Excessive use of dynamic memory allocation can lead to performance problems.
So we can allocate memory only when necessary and deallocate it as soon as it's
no longer needed.
We can use appropriate locking strategies and minimize the number of calls to
the database.
We can adjust system parameters to optimize performance. This includes tuning
CICS transaction and region parameters.
We can use CICS connection pooling to reduce the overhead of establishing a
new connection for each transaction.
We can use CICS thread pooling to improve throughput by reusing threads for
subsequent requests.
We can minimize the use of system resources, such as CPU and storage, to
improve performance.
We can use caching techniques to reduce database access and improve response
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time.
CICS Interview
We can use asynchronous calls instead of synchronous calls where possible to
improve response time.
We can optimize the network settings to improve performance.
We can use CICS monitoring tools to identify bottlenecks and areas for
improvement.
23. What is the difference between a program-
controlled task and a system-controlled task in
CICS? Explain in Detail.
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Feature Program-Controlled System-Controlled
CICS Interview
Task Tas
Who
initiates The application program CICS initiates execution.
task initiates execution.
execution?
How is Using the START Using the CICS task
the task command in the control facilities, such
created application program. as transaction
? initiation or event
processing.
When is the When the program calls When CICS
task the EXEC CICS RETURN determines that the
terminated? command. task has been
completed.
Who
controls The application program CICS controls
task controls task execution. task execution.
execution
?
Can it be No, the application Yes, CICS can
dispatche program is responsible dispatch the task.
d by for dispatching the
CICS? task.
Can it No, the system-
access Yes, the application controlled task must
system program can access request access to
resour system system resources directly. resources through
ces CICS
directl facilities.
y?
Examples Batch programs that run CICS transactions are
under CICS. initiated by users or by
events.
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CICS Interview
24. Can you implement a pseudo-conversational
program in CICS? Also, Describe some practical
examples of how the techniques are used in real-
world scenarios.
Here is the implementation of a pseudo-conversational program in CICS in the
COBOL Programming language.
IDENTIFICATION
DIVISION. PROGRAM-ID.
PSEUDOCONV.
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
SELECT MYFILE ASSIGN TO SYSOUT.
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD MYFILE.
01 MYREC PIC X(80).
WORKING-STORAGE
SECTION. 01 WS-FIELD
PIC X(80).
01 WS-FIRST-TIME VALUE 'Y'.
01 WS-CONV-IND PIC X(1) VALUE 'N'.
PROCEDURE
DIVISION. MAIN-
PROCEDURE.
PERFORM UNTIL WS-CONV-IND = 'X'
IF WS-FIRST-TIME = 'Y'
DISPLAY 'Enter
input:' ACCEPT WS-
FIELD
MOVE 'N' TO WS-FIRST-TIME
ELSE
EXEC CICS SEND TEXT='Enter input:' RESPONSE=(WS-FIELD)
EXEC CICS RECEIVE MAPSET('MYMAP') MAP('MYMAP') RESPONSE=(WS-FIELD)
END-IF
EXEC CICS WRITE FILE('MYFILE') FROM(MYREC)
EXEC CICS SEND MAP('MYMAP')
MAPSET('MYMAP') EVALUATE TRUE
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CICS Interview
In this example, the program uses a loop to repeatedly prompt the user for input
until they enter 'END'. The program starts by accepting input from the user and
writing it into a file. If this is the first iteration of the loop, the program simply accepts
input using the ‘ACCEPT’ statement. However, if it is not the first iteration, the
program uses ‘EXEC CICS SEND’ and ‘EXEC CICS RECEIVE’ commands to
send and receive input using a CICS map.
The ‘EVALUATE’ statement is used to check the user's input. If the user enters 'END',
the program sets the ‘WS-CONV-IND’ field to 'X', which causes the loop to exit.
Pseudo-conversational programming is used in real-world scenarios. Like
-
Online Banking: The user may need to perform multiple transactions like -
balance inquiry, fund transfer, and bill payment. So, using pseudo-
conversational programming, the system can ask the user to enter each
transaction and then return to the main menu after the completion of the
transaction. This approach makes sure that the user doesn’t lose any entered
data in case of any errors or the case when the system may fail.
Airline Reservation System: Suppose the user needs to perform multiple tasks
like - searching for flights, selecting a seat, booking a ticket, etc. So, pseudo-
conversational programming helps here by asking the user for each task and
then returning to the main menu after completing each of the tasks. This makes
sure that the user doesn’t need to start again if they face any errors in the
process.
In both of the above scenarios, pseudo-conventional programming helps the user in
a smooth experience when performing multiple tasks.
Conclusion
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CICS Interview
CICS is a powerful system used for processing transactions on mainframe computers.
During a job interview, you might be asked questions about your experience with
CICS, how it works, and how you develop and maintain applications using CICS. Some
of the topics that could be discussed during the interview include the CICS
commands, how to handle files, designing programs, and ways to improve
performance.
To prepare for a CICS interview, it's important to review the concepts and best
practices related to CICS development. It's also important to know the programming
languages and tools used in the job you're applying for. By showing your expertise
and ability to think critically about CICS development challenges, you can increase
your chances of getting a job in this field.
Tips and Tricks
25. CICS Interview Preparation
Some tips and tricks to answer questions during your CICS Interview -
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CICS Interview
Know the basics of CICS: Make sure you have a solid understanding of the
fundamentals of CICS, including its architecture, programming languages, and
tools used in CICS development. Familiarize yourself with the various CICS
commands and their usage.
Be prepared to give specific examples from your experience: Be
ready to provide concrete examples of how you have used CICS in your
experience. This could include specific programming tasks you have
completed, challenges you faced and how you overcame them, and the
impact of your work on the organization.
Practice problem-solving skills: CICS development often involves problem-
solving, so it's important to demonstrate your ability to approach and solve
complex problems. Be ready to discuss your thought process and methodology
when approaching a problem.
Demonstrate your communication skills: Communication is critical in CICS
development, so be prepared to discuss how you have communicated with team
members, stakeholders, and customers. This could include discussing how you
have documented your work, how you have provided updates on progress, and
how you have collaborated with others on projects.
Be honest about your abilities and show a willingness to learn: It's
important, to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses in CICS
development. Don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something, but be
prepared to show a willingness to learn and grow in your role.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of doing well in a CICS
interview and landing a job in this field.
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