Post Message to Log File Use a VSAM Entry Sequenced Data Set

Introduction

The transaction identifier (or Tran ID) for viewing the records in the Customer Master File is "WTL1" and the program is "WTL128". This example uses a suite of COBOL programs and BMS map sets to display a screen to prompt a user for the text of a message to be written to a user-defined log file. When the user enters the message text and presses the "Enter" key the information along with a date and time stamp will be written to the log file. The programs use command level CICS statements to obtain the message text and write to the log file that is a VSAM ESDS. The information is then displayed back to the 3270 terminal or terminal emulator and the user may enter another text string. The programs run on an IBM Mainframe System with CICS or a Microsoft Windows System with Micro Focus Server for Mainframe Migration.

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Enter Text String, Post to Log File

To display a screen that will accept a message text string a COBOL program and a BMS screen are used. The Message Text Screen contains a prompt for a new message text string and the message text information from a previous request.

 WTL1281                      Advanced Functions                     2009/08/03 
 STOA                        Write to ESDS Log File                 14:32:51:92

    New Message Text: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Old Message Text:




                     PF3=Menu                                           F12=Esc

Once a new message text string is entered the information is written to the user-defined log file and the screen is re-displayed to accept another message.

 WTL1281                      Advanced Functions                     2009/08/03 
 STOA                        Write to ESDS Log File                 14:32:51:92

    New Message Text: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Old Message Text: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx




                     PF3=Menu                                           F12=Esc

Various EXEC CICS commands are used to accept and process a message text string and re-display the screen.

Technical Details

This section provides additional information about the ancillary tasks that are required to prepare the environment for executing the "Write-to-Log-File" transaction.

Technical Details, the Log File

The log file is a VSAM, Entry-Sequenced-Data-Set (ESDS). A batch job using the DELETE/DEFINE functions of IDCAMS is provided to create the VSAM, ESDS that will be used for logging user information.

    Explore how to delete and define a new Entry Sequenced Data Set (ESDS) using Mainframe JCL. Once the new ESDS is created a COBOL program is used to add records to the data set.

Summary

The purpose of this suite of program is to provide examples that use command level CICS in COBOL programs to write user information to a VSAM, Entry-Sequenced-Data-Set (ESDS). For this example the user information is obtained using standard BMS screen definitions to a 3270 terminal or terminal emulator. Also, this document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.

In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.

SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For additional information about SIMOTIME Services or Technologies please contact us using the information in the  Contact or Feedback  section of this document.

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Downloads and Links

This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an internet connection, the second group of documents will require an internet connection.

Note: A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.

Current Server or Internet Access

The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the icon.

    Explore the CICS Connection for more examples of mainframe CICS coding techniques and sample code.

    Explore how to delete and define a new Entry Sequenced Data Set (ESDS) using Mainframe JCL. Once the new ESDS is created a COBOL program is used to add records to the data set.

    Explore the COBOL Connection for more examples of COBOL programming techniques and sample code.

    Explore the non-Relational Data Connection for more examples of accessing methodologies and coding techniques for Data Files and VSAM Data Sets.

    Explore An Enterprise System Model that describes and demonstrates how Applications that were running on a Mainframe System and non-relational data that was located on the Mainframe System were copied and deployed in a Microsoft Windows environment with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

    Explore The ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.

    Explore The File Status Return Codes that are used to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connect.

This suite of programs and documentation is available to download for review and evaluation purposes. Other uses will require a SimoTime Software License. Link to an Evaluation zPAK Option that includes the program members, documentation and control files.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page for access to white papers, program examples and product information. This link requires an Internet Connection

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site for more information about products (including Micro Focus COBOL) and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Glossary of Terms

    Explore the Glossary of Terms for a list of terms and definitions used in this suite of documents and white papers.

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