1 | 2   Develop CICS-to-TCP/IP Applications The CICS Programmers Toolkit implements a transparent interface between TCP/IP LANs and IBM OS/390 mainframes. This interface allows both new and existing CICS applications to interoperate with TCP/IP network applications. Based on open network protocols, the product includes a set of automated CICS transactions called CPT/Tools and a set of application program interface services called CPT/API. CPT/Tool CPT/Tool is prewritten CICS code that allows CICS programmers to send or receive data over TCP or UDP network protocols. Application programs simply read from, and write to, configured queues, while subroutines from the CICS Programmers Toolkit manage the data transfer. When sending data, CPT/Tools reads data from CICS transient data queues and sends it to the TCP/IP application. When receiving data from TCP/IP applications, CPT/Tools places the data into CICS queues, which trigger user-written applications to fetch the data. CPT/Tools provides a variety of processing options, including translation, file or record processing, name resolution, and statistics. The automated transactions can be used in combination with user-written applications or as development tools. CPT/API CPT/API is a flexible programming environment that CICS programmers can use to communicate with remote TCP or UDP applications. CPT/API is supported in four languages: Assembler, COBOL, "C" (both IBM C and SAS/C) and PL/I. The CPT/API programming environment allows programmers to develop sophisticated applications that require bi-directional conversations or data transfers. With CPT/API, data can transfer by means other than transient data queues, such as to or from VSAM files, temporary storage queues, or other programs. Services are provided for initializing and terminating connections and transferring and translating data. Return codes notify the application that a CPT/API service is complete. Other CPT/API services are provided to support the CICS transaction environment. Low CPU Utilization The CICS Programmers Toolkit imposes minimal impact on the OS/390 host CPU. The majority of the product and all critical portions that affect performance are written in IBM S/370 assembler language specifically for the CICS environment. The resulting processing efficiency sets an industry standard for resource utilization. Also, the CICS Programmers Toolkit reduces OS/390 and CICS overhead by not introducing extra subtasks into the CICS environment. Another factor improves performance: Interlink's TCPaccess is the fastest and most efficient implementation of TCP/IP on OS/390 systems, however the IBM TCP/IP for MVS transport is also supported. Simplified API The CICS Programmers Toolkit enables CICS applications to communicate with systems on TCP/IP networks with very little development effort. The powerful automation tools provided eliminate the need to use an API in some applications. The CICS Programmers Toolkit has a simplified application transport layer interface and a small number of system calls, which shorten development time and create smaller, easier-to-maintain applications. Facilities are included for sending and receiving "record" over TCP without buffering within your CICS application. Domain name resolution for host names and services is automated, enhancing network management and reducing application-programming effort. Access Multiple CICS Regions for Ease of Operation With the multiple region support of CPT, end-users can now access a simgle point and be directed automatically to different CICS regions depending on configuration. This support adds increased operation with the ability to go to alternate CICS regions in case of failure or system maintenance. Your end-users or transactions can depend on their data updates by allowing the MRO feature to decide what CICS region is available. This results in less down-time and more efficient operation by allowing the MRO region to determine availability. Rich Set of Management Services The administrator interface allows CICS administrators and operators to display trace, status, and error information; dynamically add new services; and control API and tool facilities. Data integrity is maintained through extensive logging of activities and errors, and a trace facility is provided for diagnostics. The CICS Programmers Toolkit can be enabled and disabled without shutting down CICS, and maintenance and customization can be performed without CICS ever terminating. These are important features for 7-day by 24-hour online operating environments. Commitment Interlink is committed to maintaining complete compatibility with the IBM OS/390 operating system. That commitment is supported by history: in our 14-year association with IBM, we are proud to have maintained an unprecedented level of compatibility with IBM operating system software. No operating system modifications are required, ensuring smooth operation.