IMS

1. Define Database.

A. A Database is a concept or a way of organizing Data using

specialized software (called DBMS) to resolve some of the problems found
in conventional File Processing.

2. What are the various problems solved by using a database?

A. It solves the following problems: Duplication of data and

effort. Programmers need to know the exact file structure. People
looking at files to which they should not have access to. Need for
change in program during the data reorganization (organized
differently).

3. What are the main goals of building a Database?

A. Increase Data Independence.

Maintain Data Integrity.

Reduce Data Redundancy and

Increase data security.

4. Describe IMS.

A. It is an acronym for Information Management System. It is a

software product for creating and managing the physical storage and
retrieval of Data that is organized using the Hierarchical Data
Structure. However to access IMS database, we need to use the Database
Manager Interface Language - DL/I.

5. What are the basic components of Hierarchical Database Structure?

A. Segment is the smallest block of data, the DL/I can access from
the database (referred hereafter ‘DB’).

Field is the smallest unit of information in the Database.

Segments are made up of fields.

Key fields are used to sequence the segments because of this they
are not allowed to be changed. In contrast the search fields may be
changed as needed, depending on the program requirements.

6. How many Segment types are allowed to be defined under IMS?

A. 255 different segment types. i.e. 255 segments are allowed to be
defined under a single database.

7. How many levels of segments are allowed under IMS?

A. 15 levels.

8. How many occurrences are allowed for each Segment?

A. Can have as many occurrences of each segment as needed, as long

as storage medium can handle. Multiple occurrence of a segment are
referred to as Twins

9. Describe IMS Database record.

A. A Database record is made up of only one occurrence of the Root

segment ( Segment with no parents) and all of its dependent segments
(where the dependent segments are the Child segments, Child of the child
segments …, their twins and siblings (segments with the same parent are
siblings).

10. What is DL/I?

A. Data Language I, referred to as DL/I is not a procedural

language like COBOL, or PL/I … DL/I is a set of IMS program modules that
exist external to the application program. DL/I allows the application
program to retrieve the (data fields in the) data segments from the
database sequentially or directly.

11. What are the various IMS systems?

A. IMS supports user written batch processing and telecommunication

applications. The IMS ‘Database Management Services’ will support
multiple applications using the common database. The database services
system is called as IMS/DB System. The ‘Database Communication
Management services’ supports multiple terminal oriented application
programs to access a common database, called the IMS/DC System. The
combination of the two systems make the IMS DB/DC system.
12. Describe the process flow through various components of the IMS
environment.

A. The Process flow through various components for the Batch

processing mode - Application Program - DB PCB – DLI - IMS Database –
DLI – DB PCB – Application Program. Flow in the Online Processing mode
is Terminal – IMS DC IO PCB – Application Program – DB PCB – DLI – IMS
Database –DLI – DB PCB – Application Program – IO PCB – IMS DC -
Terminal.

B. Application Programs – The programs written in Languages such as

COBOL, PLI by using the standard calls to DL/I modules (rather than read
and write through File declares). DB PCB – It is the Program
Communication Block that enables the program to communicate with DL/I to
get information from the database. DL/I – It is a set of program modules
that performs operations on the IMS database when called by the
Application programs. IMS Database – The heart of the IMS system that
contains all the data and usually resides on the Direct Access Storage.
I/O PCB - It allows the IMS/DC system to read or write information to
and from a terminal. IMS/DC is a set of programs that permit application
programs to communicate with other programs and/or remote terminals
through the standard calls.

13. Discuss the three IMS Processing modes. – Batch (DLI), BMP, MPP.

A. Batch DL/I: No Data communication services or terminals are

used. Transactions are batch generated and saved in standard files.
Application Program Run’s are initiated by using JCL. Processing output
is in a hard copy format. Databases are accessed in the Off-line.

B. BMP mode – A combination of Batch and Online Processing. There

are two kinds of BMP ’s. Transaction oriented: Access the online message
queues. Process Input from and output to OS/VS files and Databases.
Batch Oriented: Access online databases in batch mode, can send messages
to the message queue, are scheduled by the operator by using a JCL.

C. Teleprocessing Program mode also called as Message Processing

Program mode – Transactions are entered at the terminal, transactions
are put in the message queue file, IMS scheduler immediately schedules
the appropriate program to process the transaction. Processing output
may be in the form of hard copy format or back as a screen message to
the original or an alternate terminal. Databases are accessed online.

14. What type of database structure is considered other than the

Physical Database.

A. Logical Database - Represents the sequence of segments from one or

more physical databases required by an application program, to process
the DB. These segments are combined to create a new hierarchical
structure. The Physical Database is described by using the DBD, the
Logical Database is defined by PSB.
15. Describe the process of the creation of the Physical Database
(Database Description Generation).

A. The Physical database is usually defined by the DBA based on the

following information received from the database design team: The
hierarchical structure (the segment layout), the key fields, the search
fields. DBA initiates a process called DBDGEN to describe the physical
structure of the database and then create a DBD. In theory this process
need to be done only once. But in practice, as the Database evolves, new
segments are added, existing segments are expanded, by the addition or
modification of key fields or search fields. All these events require
the new DBDGEN process.

16. Give an example of a DBDGEN coded. Also explain the key fields of
the code.
A. . DBD NAME=EMPLOYEE,ACCESS=HIDAM Name of the database is EMPLOYEE
DSGROUP0 DATASET DD1=DDEMP,DEVICE=3380,SIZE=4096,FRSPC=(10,10) Physical storage location of
DB is DDEMP
SEGM NAME=EMPDATA,PARENT=0,BYTES=100 Root segment of 100 bytes long
FIELD NAME=(EMPID,SEQ,U),BYTES=11,START=1,TYPE=C SEQ Defines the field to be the key field
FIELD NAME=EMPLNAME,BYTES=20,START=12,TYPE=C It’s a search field, as only name is specified
FIELD NAME=EMPFNAME,BYTES=20,START=32,TYPE=C
SEGM NAME=WORKDATA,PARENT=EMPDATA,BYTES=200
FIELD NAME=(DEPTID,SEQ,U),BYTES=5,START=1,TYPE=C U Defines the field to be unique
FIELD NAME=DEPTNAME,BYTES=15,START=6,TYPE=C
SEGM … … … … … … … … …
DBDGEN Indication to initiate the DBDGEN process
FINISH

DBDGEN is processed only by the DBA, but a programmer need to know about the code for determining
the key fields and search fields available on the various segments of the Database. If you use Access
method HDAM, then you need to specify randomizer as RMNAME=(DFHDC40,r,mmmm,nnnn), where r
is # of RAP’s (root anchor point) per block (say 3), mmmm (say 5000) > nnnn (say 1000). nnnn - # of
blocks per RAA (Root addressable area).

B. The Program Specifications Block (PSB) supplies IMS with a

description of what database information (which database segments) may
be accessed by the application program. The Program Communication Block
defines, which segments in database, a Program is sensitive to (can
access). PCB also specifies how the Program is allowed to process
segments, which is done via process options (PROCOPT).

18. Explain the various Process options (PROCOPT ‘s) available.

A. G – Get (Read). I – Insert. R – Replace. D –

Delete. A – For all options (GIRD)

{D & I needs a G}. O – Only (used with the option G to indicate

that the get Hold calls are not allowed).

K – access only to Key field. L – Load

(initial data load), LS – load HIDAM P – Path Calls.
19. Give an example of a PSBGEN for the creation of PCB ‘s in the PSB to
create Logical Database.

>A. PCB TYPE=DB,DBDNAME=EMPLOYEE,KEYLEN=16

The Keylen parameter specifies the length of longest

SENSEG NAME=EMPDATA,PARENT=0,PROCOPT=K
concatenated Key of all segments.

SENSEG NAME=WORKDATA,PARENT=EMPDATA,PROCOPT=G

> PSBGEN LANG=COBOL,PSBNAME=EMPPSB1

PSBNAME is usually same as main application name.

END

20. When Coding an IMS application program, what makes it different

from the Non-IMS programs?

A. The major difference lies in the way of the IMS components are
coded. The IMS components coded in general are Entry variable’s
statement, Function Codes, Segment Search Argument, Input/Output Area,
Program Communication Block mask, Exit Statements, DL/I call Statements,
and Status Code check.

21. Explain the purpose of the I/O Area definition in a program.

A. I/O Area holds the standard Record Description, which holds the
database segments for manipulation, used by DL/I to pass segment data to
your programs. It can be used by programs to add or replace data. In
some cases multiple segments in a parent child relationship can be
retrieved or inserted together, in which case the I/O area should be
large enough to hold the largest concatenation of these segments for
path calls.

22. Explain Program Communication Block Mask defined in the IMS

Programs.

A. The PCB Mask is the area common to the (COBOL) Application

program and DL/I. It is used to pass information about each DLI call
back to the program. You need to code one PCB Mask with unique 01 level
name for each Database being accessed by the program,
23. Explain the purpose of the Segment Search Argument (SSA). Define
it.

A. SSA are used to let the IMS know the name of the segment type you
want to retrieve, Description of specific segment (key or search
fields), one or more Command codes to qualify the DL/I Call even more.

B. A SSA is a declared structure used to identify the segments to be

accessed for the program process. It’s an optional DLI call parameter
used to specify a particular segment or a segment occurrence. SSA always
follows the I/O area parameter. There may be one to fifteen SSA ’s
specified in the Hierarchical order of the Segment type in a Call
statement. SSA contains information of the Segment name to be retrieved,
or segment name and segment key with a specific value or name and search
field with a value.

24. What are the different types of SSA’s ?

A. Unqualified SSA – Searches for a specific Segment type. It

specifies only the Segment name (as defined in logical DB) (followed by
blank) as argument. Calls made using this SSA will access data
Sequentially.

B. Qualified SSA – Searches for a specific Occurrence of a specific

segment. It specifies the segment name and the Key or Search field with
a field value along with relational operator to retrieve the necessary
Segment type occurrences. It allows access to the database segment
directly.

25. Describe the use of Command code field in a SSA. What are various
command codes in use?

A. Through the info in SSA, we inform what Segments are to be

accessed. Command code in SSA is used to define the action to be
performed by the DLI for segment retrieval. The initial value of a
command code is ‘*-‘ . The ‘-‘ indicates a null command code. Other
codes used are D – Retrieve a Path, F - access First Segment Occurrence,
L - access last segment occurrence, U - Maintain current position at
this level, V - Maintain current position at this and higher levels, N –
Do not replace this segment, C – use a concatenated Key, P –
establish parentage at this level, - - Null or ignore. Command codes can
be useful to go to certain occurrences of the segment and avoid some
coding in a program.

26. What are the various parameters / arguments used to interpret the
DL/I call requirements?

A. The Four Parameters passed by using the DL/I calls are in the
following order. Note that some of the parameters may repeat, but should
always follow the order. (One function code, One PCB Mask and One I_O
Area Per Call. One or multiple SSA’s as needed to retrieve the desired
segments).
 ‘CALL CBLTDLI USING Function_Code PCB_Mask I_O_Area
SSA’

27. Explain the purpose of Function Code.

A. A Function Code is Four Character field that tells the DL/I the
necessary action to be taken on the segment (referred to by using the
information passed through other Call Parameters). Function codes used
mostly are: GU, GN, GNP (Get Next within Parent), GHU, GHN, GHNP, ISRT,
DLET and REPL.

28. Explain the purpose of the Function codes GU, GN and GNP.

A. GU – It is used to retrieve a segment directly or position itself

on the database by using the qualified SSA‘s. If SSA is not specified,
the GU call will position itself at the 1st root segment and returns its
contents to I/O area.

B. GN – It is used to sequentially access segments in a DB. DLI uses

the current segment position set by the previous call as the starting
point of the search for the requested segment. So, you can use GN with a
qualified SSA, or unqualified SSA or even with No SSA. With an
unqualified SSA, the GN call would retrieve the next occurrence of the
segment type specified in the SSA. A GN with a qualified SSA starts at
the current DB Position and does an implied GU for the SSA. With GN and
GNP the DLI will build unqualified SSA’s for the missing levels defined
through the SSA’s used by the call.

C. GNP – Get Next within Parent is used to access Dependent segments

of an established Parent segment. We need to establish the Parentage by
a GU or a GN call, prior to a GNP. You can also use the ‘P’ Command code
in the GU, GN, or a GNP call to establish the parentage.

29. Explain the Status Code Field in the PCB Mask. Which are the most
widely found status codes.

A. The value of the (two alphanumeric) Status code in the PCB Mask
reflects the Status (success) of the DLI call. It also contains specific
code for each type of unsuccessful calls. ‘ ‘ (blank) indicates a
successful call, ‘GE’ indicates the segment specified through SSA could
not be found on DB, ‘GB’ Specifies that the End of DB has been reached.
‘DA’ – issued for a REPL call as Tried to change the Key field by REPL
call. ‘RX’ – Violated the replace rule such issued GU instead of GHU
prior to REPL call. ‘II’ issued after a ISRT call indicating the Segment
already exists. ‘DJ’ – Get Hold not issued before a DLET, ‘DX’ – The
DLET call violated delete rule defined for the segment in the DBD.
30. How do you retrieve a wanted segment and all of its Higher Level
Segments into the I/O area without having a need to call for each
Segment? Give an example. Explain.

A. By Issuing a PATH CALL. A Path Call is created by issuing the ‘D’

(Path) Command code in the SSA. In order to allow the Path Calls the DBA
must modify the PSB to add ‘PROCOPT=P‘.

Ex. GN SEGMENTA *D(AKEY =1)

(Defined through SSA1)

SEGMENTB *D(BKEY=2)
(Defined through SSA2)

SEGMENTC *-(CKEY=5)
(Defined through SSA3).

31. What is the primary reason for using a Get Hold Function code in a
DLI Call before modifying data?

A. For Maintaining the Data integrity. The GH call puts a lock from
any other Update-Intent by other programs. The Hold is released the next
time a call is made to the same PCB Mask again. So, the next call after
a successful GET HOLD call should be a REPL or DLET else the delete or
replace will fail.

32. Are SSA’s need to be defined in a REPL call.

A. SSA’s are not normally used with the REPL Function call, as DL/I
gets this information from the I/O area, which gets the information,
from the previous Get Hold call. However when the ‘N’ command code (for
ignore – Do not replace segment command code) is to be used with REPL
call (after GHU Path call), SSA’s are to be defined on REPL DL/I call.

33. What is the difference between the Load Mode and Insert Mode?

A. We define the whether the Mode of addition of data is through

‘Load’ or ‘Insert’ through the PROCOPT (‘L’ or ‘I’) of the PSB
Definition. The Two PROCOPT allowed in Load mode are L and LS. LS is
preferred, as the Load is specified to be done in Ascending Sequence.
The PROCOPT allowed in Insert mode are I and IS. IS PROCOPT is used to
indicate that the Add of new segment is only through the Ascending
Sequence. Segments can be added to all Database types except HSAM.

34. Explain the Sequence of steps followed during the Insert Process of
a segment.

A. The Segment to be inserted must first be built in the I/O area. Use
the SSA’s to define the Path to a call. In order to insert the Path of
all segments use the ‘D’ Command code. Use an unqualified SSA at segment
levels where the insertion will occurs. Rest of the SSA’s are to be
qualified, if segments exist.

B. New Segments added to an existing DB are inserted based on the

Segment Key field. Segments with Key field can be inserted in Key
Sequence. Segments with non-unique key will be inserted in accordance to
the Insert rules specified in the DBD. Note that there is no need for
Get Hold Call before ISRT.

35. Explain the Insert rules options in a DBD.

A. FIRST – Tells the DL/I to place the segment First, i.e. the first
occurrence of the segment type.

LAST – Tells the DL/I to place the segment Last in the twin chain
(last occurrence of this segment type). HERE – Tells the DL/I to place
the segment before the Current segment occurrence position; If the
current position is not established, the segment is placed first on the
twin chain of the segments.

36. Do you have to specify SSA’s for a DLET call.

A. Normally a SSA is not specified with a DLET call. However you may
have a situation to have a Path call using the Get Hold Function code.
In this instance you nee to specify only one unqualified SSA, to delete
the segment mentioned and all it’s Dependants. Note that No command
codes apply to a DLET call.

37. Explain the way Status Codes of DLI calls are handled in an IMS
Program.

A. Your program should always check the status code after a DLI call,
to verify whether the call is successful. There are over 100 status
codes of which only a few are used most often used, which are:

‘GA’ – The DL/I has returned a Segment, but that is at a higher

level in hierarchy than the last returned segment. It is issued only for
unqualified ‘GN ‘ call.

‘GB’ – End of Database reached. Therefore could not return a

segment thru’ I/O area to the program.

‘GE’ – DL/I could not find the segment asked for. It could happen
after a GU, GN or GNP call.

‘GK’ – DL/I returned a segment that satisfies as unqualified ‘GN’

or ‘GNP’ call, but is a different segment type than the last segment
that was returned (but at the same level).

When you receive an un expected Status code you should send the
control to a Error routine, which ensures to save the important
information needed to aid in determining the problem. Based on your shop
policy you may have to Abend or just suspend the current application
after roll back of unwanted data.

38. What are the better methods to be followed for the IMS Segment
Access.

A. The four Key areas to consider in accessing the segments

efficiently are during the ISRT calls, Segment Search Argument,
Hierarchical Access, and Search Fields. ISRT CALLS – Instead of issuing
a ISRT call after the Get Unique call to position on the database, it is
better to just call the ISRT with appropriate SSA’s without the GET
call. Hierarchical Access – Take the advantage of the Hierarchical
structure while retrieving data, by coding the D/I calls in a manner
consistent to record and segment relationships. Know your Current
Position, Know that segment is the parent and then access segments in DB
by using the Top to Bottom and then Left to Right. Qualified SSA’s are
to be used wherever possible. The fewer DLI calls your program makes the
more efficient it will be. If you want to retrieve based on fields other
than Key fields then Define and use Search fields, instead of using
multiple calls and IF’s.

39. Explain the BMP program. Why and what was Check Pointing used?

A. A BMP is a Batch application program running under the control of

the On-Line control region. The advantage of BMP over the Batch
processing mode is the High availability of the DB. The disadvantage of
BMP over Batch processing is the more complicated process of Restart
procedures. This needs check pointing. A Check point call is the means
by which the programs indicate to IMS the synchronized points. This is
the point where the application program commits the data it has modified
or created, ensuring that it is consistent and complete.

40. Why do we use the Check Point Calls and Restart?

A. The Check Point (‘CHKP’) call is issued for data release to DB and
setup a new Sync point for data recovery. XRST call is issued to restart
a Call from the last Sync Point on DB, in the event of ABEND.

41. Define the various steps that happen as a result of Checkpoint

(‘CHKP’) Call.

A. IMS commits database updates and send messages which had been
previously stored in the buffer. The Database position is reset to the
beginning of the DB.

A new synchronization point is set for backing out database

changes and sending messages.
42. What are the two different types of Check Point calls? Explain.

A. They are BASIC and SYNBOLIC. Both the Check point calls include:
The DLI Call function code ‘CHKP’. The name of the I/O PCB, The name of
the I/O area with the Checkpoint ID.

In addition to the above three, the Symbolic call allows you to

save as many as seven data areas in your program. The length and name of
each data area you want saved are passed to DL/I as additional
parameters of the Checkpoint call.

In Batch, Check pointing is mostly used for long running Jobs. The
Check pointing frequency may after updating a certain number of segments
(set by DBA) or usually varies between 15 minutes to 1 hour. For
allowing more or less M/C time used respectively. And For allowing less
or more Recovery time needed in case of ABEND respectively.

43. Explain the IMS Batch Program Preparation process, after coding it.

A. Compile the Batch Application program by using the Language

Compiler. Then we need to Link-Edit it by using the IMS Supplied
Interface Modules ‘DFSLI000’, to the batch program that has been
compiled. You can also use IBM supplied Procedure, that Link-Edits the
interface module with your program. Most installations provide TSO
Panels and CLISTs to make this process transparent. Now your program is
actually a subroutine that calls other subroutines, and which is called
by IMS, …

44. Explain the reason why the Compiled and Link-Edited IMS program is
considered to be a Subroutine.

A. There are two ways to tell the operating system, that your program
is a Subroutine.

1. PROCEDURE DIVISION USING PCB1,PCB1

2. An Entry Statement (With a Pointer to PCB as in COBOL with

‘ENTRY DLITCBL USING PCB1,PCB2’).

All the IMS Programs ends with ‘RETURN’ when written in PLI or
with ‘EXIT PROGRAM’ in COBOL.

45. What does a IMS Program Exec JCL Step looks like?

A. //STEP1 EXEC PGM=DFSRRC00,PARM=(DLI,pgmname,psbname)

Where ‘DFSRRC00’ is the name of the IMS Batch module from IBM. The
‘pgmname’ is the name of the application program. The ‘psbname’ is the
name of the PSB for your application program.
 Your installation may have a Model IMS Program Execution JCL,
which contains the standard IMS Libraries, So ask your DBA or Technical
Support person.

46. How do you test an IMS Program?

A. Your installation may have special Testing tools, such Client

customized tools or ‘SmartTest’.

However IBM supplies a testing tool called ‘DFSDDLT0’. DLT0 as it

is called in short is a DL/I test program, which executes the DL/I calls
you specify for a given Database. DLT0 can be used test DL/I calls
without running the application program. It can be used to Insert,
Replace or Delete records in DB. DLT0 can also be used for Retrieve
(DUMP) records from a DB. Debug an application program. However for
using DLT0, you will need a PSB.

47. What are the different Control statements used to tell DLT0 about
the DL/I calls to be executed?

A. To tell DLTO the DL/I call you want to execute, you can use four
types of control statements as:

1. STATUS - establishes print options for DLTO’s output, and selects

the DB PCB.

2. COMMENT - allows comments for documentation purposes.

3. CALL - indicates the call you want to execute, any SSAs you want to
use with the CALL,with how many times you want the call executed.

4. COMPARE - tells DLTO to compare results of the CALL with the

results you supply here.

5. In addition to the above four control statements, there is a DATA

Statement that provides IMS with the Segment information for ISRT and
REPL Calls.

48. What Kind of errors could you have that caused by the code (or
failed)?

A. By using the DEBUG Process we can determine the reason for the
unwanted process by the Code.

They could be an unexpected status code, A program ABEND, or an

incorrect segment retrieval.

49. What information does IMS provide to DEBUG the IMS Program code.
A. We can use the PCB mask to identify the reason for the Program
failure. Refer to CDB_PCB coded latter.

50. What other methods are used to DEBUG a program in addition to the
checking of the PCB mask.

A. One can also use ‘STAT’ Call to request the stats for # of Reads
and Writes by the program. Or by using DLITRACE – Control card that
executes on any IMS program with the Trace program ‘DFSDLTR0’.

DLITRACE needs a control statement DFSVSMP dataset in your execution

JCL, to show you exactly what DL/I calls your IMS application program
made.

51. Explain the IMS Region control program execution step along with all
possible parameters.

A. //RUN EXEC
PGM=DFSRRC00,PARM=(DLI,Pgmname,PSBname, , ,N00000, , , , , D, I, , B)

Where D – DBRC indicator, I – IRLM indicator, B - Back-out indicator,

which could have the values of Y or N or space for null. Note: The # of
Parameters passed along with the IMS Region Controller Module DFSRRC00
contains 13 commas.

52. What is the Physical Nature of a Database called?

DBD

53. Is it necessary that all segments in a DLI have key fields?

No.

54. Is it necessary to define all the Key fields as Unique?

No.

55. What is a Key field in IMS?

A field used to Maintain the segments in Ascending order.

56. What is a Root?

 A segment at the top of Hierarchy with no Parent is Root.

57. What is the Acronym for RAP?

Root Anchor Point.

58. What is a database record in IMS?

Single occurrence of Root and all its dependent Segments.

59. What are twins?

Occurrences of segment types as child under single parent.

60. Define a Parent.

Segment that has one or more segments (dependent) directly below

it.

61. What is a segment type?

Loosely speaking a Segment type is a Segment in a DL/I

Hierarchy.

62. How can you identify a Online from Batch IMS program?

By looking for the declaration of IO-PCB.

63. Which DLI Function is used in CICS-IMS Program?

‘PCB ‘ to initiate and ‘TERM’ to terminate.

64. What is Hierarchy Chart?

A. A Hierarchy chart is a pictorial representation of the total of a

DL/I database starting from the root, giving all the parent child
relationships that exist within the database
65. What steps are involved in the REORG operation of a HDAM IMS
database when Root anchor points are changed?

A. 1. Unload data using the current DBD into a dataset. 2. Delete and
Defined the underlying dataset of DBD. 3. Reload Data using the newly
defined DBD with new RAP’s. 4. Rebuild any secondary indexes.

66. What is a PSB?

A. Program specification block. Information about how a specific

program is to be access one or more IMS DB. It consist of PCB(Program
Communication Block). Information to which a segment in DB can be
accessed, what the program is allowed to do with those segment and how
the DB is to be accessed.

67. Define ACB.

A. Access Control Blocks are generated by IMS as an expansion of

information contained in the PSB in order to speed up the access to the
applicable DBD's.

Q. Specify the main Control cards often used in the JCL to run the IMS
application program.

A. //IMS DD PSBLIB and the DBDLIB library location

configured on system.

//DFSRESLIB DD Resident Library for IMS Load modules.

//DFSVSAMP DD Buffer Pool Info for the DL/I Buffer pools

//IEFRDER DD IMS writes a detailed record Log of the

activity to the files defined in this DD.

//DATABASE DD Unique DD name associated which each

Database dataset, that are to be allocated

//*
before any DLI call

//RECON DD Datasets for recovery, needed by DBRC in

batch run. Not needed for BMP or IRC.

//IMSRESLIB DD the RESLIB containing the HDAM Randomizer

and other IMS required programs.
 //ACBLIB DD ACBLIB library. The ACB are to be
generated from the PSB’s generated in the IRC mode.

//*

Q. Give a Sample dlt0 JCL with control cards to REPLACE a segment on

EMPLOYEE database:

A. //DLT0 EXEC PGM=DFSRRC00,PARM=’DLI,DFSDDLT0,EMPLPSB’

//STEPLIB DD DSN=IMSVS.RESLIB,DISP=SHR

//IMS DD DSN=IMSVS.PSBLIB,DISP=SHR

// DD
DSN=IMSVS.DBDLIB,DISP=SHR

//EMPLDB DD DSN=EMPLOYEE.MASTERDB,DISP=OLD

//IEFRDER DD DSN= IMS Log dataset

//PRINTDD DD SYSOUT=A

// Other DD statements as needed per the

installation

//SYSIN DD *

S 1 1 1 1 1 EMPDB

L U GHU EMPLOYEE (EMPLID =123-

45-6789)

L U REPL

L DATA (Place your data to be

replaced in quotes here)

/*

//*

Q. Give a Sample JCL used to run the IMS Program NVUP99 in the BMP
mode.

//NVUP99 JOB (NVUP99,'BRIDGE MODULE

'),'2428',MSGLEVEL=1,MSGCLASS=A,CLASS=C

/*JOBPARM S=SW92
//PROCS JCLLIB ORDER=(RNN.ALERT.PROCLIB,RNNS01.ALERT.PROCLIB)

//*----------------------------------------------------------*

//JOBLIB DD DISP=SHR,DSN=SYS1.RUN.PLI

// DD DISP=SHR,DSN=SYS1.RUN.COBOL

// DD DSN=RNN.GALAXY.PREMIUM.LINKLIB,DISP=SHR

//*****************************************************************

//* DELETE DATASETS FROM PREVIOUS JOBS *

//*****************************************************************

//DELETE EXEC PGM=IDCAMS

//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*

//SYSIN DD *

DELETE RNN.GALAXY.UT93.BRIJC

DELETE RNN.ALERT.UT93.BRIJC

SET MAXCC = 0

//********************************************************************

//* RUN NVP99999. PURPOSE: CONVERT ACXIOM FILE TO NOVA/ALERT INPUT

FILES *

//*****************************************************************

//PROPRUN EXEC PGM=DFSRRC00,REGION=4096K,

// PARM=(BMP,NVP99999,WRANP00B,,,N00000,,,,1,,,,CC10)

//IMS DD DSN=RNN.PRODIMSP.PSBLIB,DISP=SHR

// DD DSN=RNN.PRODIMSP.DBDLIB,DISP=SHR

//WRAPARM DD *

1 NVP99999 A WRANP00B RNN N

PARMROC=RNN

//*

//INPUTI DD DSN=RNN.REGION.CALITV.INPUT(0),DISP=SHR

//EXTRCTO1 DD DSN=RNN.ALERT.UT93.BRIJC,DISP=(,CATLG,DELETE),SPACE=(80,
(100,100)),
// DCB=(DSORG=PS,RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=0),UNIT=DISK

//EXTRCTO2 DD
DSN=RNN.GALAXY.UT93.BRIJC,DISP=(,CATLG,DELETE),SPACE=(534,(100,100)),

// DCB=(DSORG=PS,RECFM=VB,LRECL=534,BLKSIZE=0),UNIT=DISK

//WRAMSGS DD SYSOUT=A

//SYSABEND DD SYSOUT=A

//SYSABOUT DD SYSOUT=A

//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=A

//PLIDUMP DD SYSOUT=A

//WTOOUT DD SYSOUT=A

//* CHECK NVP99999 *

//ABEND EXEC PGM=U0016,COND=(12,GT,PROPRUN),

// PARM='NVP99999 ABENDED'

//WTOOUT DD SYSOUT=A

//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=A

//* LOAD NOVA FILE TO PU330 JOB *

//LPU330 EXEC PU330LIN,INDD='RNN.GALAXY.UT93.BRIJC'

//* CREATE GDG FOR ALERT FILE *

//ALERTGDG EXEC PGM=IEBGENER

//********************************************************************

//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=X

//SYSUT1 DD DISP=SHR,DSN=RNN.ALERT.UT93.BRIJC

//SYSUT2 DD DSN=RNN.ALERT.UT93B(+1),DCB=(DSORG=PS,RECFM=FB,LRECL=80),

// UNIT=DISK,DISP=(,CATLG,DELETE)

//SYSIN DD DUMMY

/*

//*
Q. Give an example of a Sample W-S Section and DLI calls covering IMS
related identification code.

A. WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.

01 RAP01. RAP03. RAP22E.

COPY RAP01V9. COPY RAP03V9. COPY RAP22EV9.

EJECT

01 RACTL.

COPY RACTLV9.

EJECT

LINKAGE SECTION.

01 IO-PCB.

05 FILLER PIC X(08).

05 IO-PCB-SEGNO PIC X(02).

05 IO-PCB-STATUS PIC X(02).

01 CDB-PCB.

05 FILLER PIC X(08). /* DBDNAME */

05 CDB-PCB-SEGNO PIC X(02). /* last Segment

level,successfully retrieved*/

05 CDB-PCB-STATUS PIC X(02). /* Status Code */

05 CDB-PCB-PROCOPT PIC X(04). /* Proc Options */

05 FILLER PIC X(04). /* IMS Address (reserved

for internal use*/

05 CDB-PCB-SEGNAME PIC X(08). /* Last Segment name */

05 CDB-PCB-KEYL PIC S9(09) COMP. /* max key length of

all segments accessed */

05 CDB-PCB-NUM-SEG PIC S9(09) COMP. /* # of Segment types

the program is

sensitive to */

05 CDB-PCB-KEY-FB-AREA. /* Segment Keys from Root

key*/

10 CDB-PCB-POLICY PIC X(15).

10 FILLER PIC X(13).

01 WS-RAP01-SSA.

05 FILLER PIC X(09) VALUE 'RAP01 *'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA-CMD1 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA-CMD2 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA-CMD3 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 FILLER PIC X(01) VALUE ' '.

01 WS-RAP01-SSA1.

05 FILLER PIC X(09) VALUE 'RAP01 *'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA-CMD1 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA-CMD2 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA-CMD3 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 FILLER PIC X(08) VALUE ' '.

01 WS-RAP01-SSA1.

05 FILLER PIC X(09) VALUE 'RAP01 *'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA2-CMD1 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA2-CMD2 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA2-CMD3 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA2-LPAREN PIC X(01) VALUE '('.

05 FILLER PIC X(08) VALUE 'PLCY '.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA2-OP1 PIC X(02) VALUE 'EQ'.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA2-PLCY PIC X(15) VALUE SPACES.

05 WS-RAP01-SSA2-RPAREN PIC X(01) VALUE ')'.

01 WS-RACTL-SSA.

05 FILLER PIC X(09) VALUE 'RACTL *'.

05 WS-RACTL-SSA-CMD1 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RACTL-SSA-CMD2 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RACTL-SSA-CMD3 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

 05 FILLER PIC X(01) VALUE ' '.

01 WS-RAP03-SSA1.

05 FILLER PIC X(09) VALUE 'RAP03 *'.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA1-CMD1 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA1-CMD2 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA1-CMD3 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 FILLER PIC X(01) VALUE ' '.

01 WS-RAP03-SSA2.

05 FILLER PIC X(09) VALUE 'RAP03 *'.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA2-CMD1 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA2-CMD2 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA2-CMD3 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA2-LPAREN PIC X(01) VALUE '('.

05 FILLER PIC X(08) VALUE 'ADDDT '.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA2-OP1 PIC X(02) VALUE 'EQ'.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA2-P03ADDT PIC S9(05) COMP-3 VALUE 99999.

05 WS-RAP03-SSA2-RPAREN PIC X(01) VALUE ')'.

01 WS-RAP22E-SSA.

05 FILLER PIC X(09) VALUE 'RAP22 *'.

05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-CMD1 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-CMD2 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-CMD3 PIC X(01) VALUE '-'.

05 FILLER PIC X(08) VALUE 'DROPDT '.

05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-OP1 PIC X(02) VALUE 'EQ'.

05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-P22EDPDT PIC S9(05) COMP-3 VALUE 99999.

05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-BOOL1 PIC X(01) VALUE '&'.

05 FILLER PIC X(08) VALUE 'PROPTP '.

05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-OP2 PIC X(02) VALUE '= '.

 05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-KEY1 PIC X(02) VALUE 'A '.

05 WS-RAP22E-SSA-RPAREN PIC X(01) VALUE ')'.

EJECT

PROCEDURE DIVISION USING IO-PCB CDB-PCB.

CALL 'CBLTDLI' USING WS-GU-FUNC - Function

CDB-PCB - PSB

RACTL - IO-Area

WS-RAP01-SSA - Unqualified
SSA1

WS-RACTL-SSA - Unqualified
SSA2

CALL 'CBLTDLI' USING WS-GU-FUNC CDB-PCB RAP01 WS-RAP01-

SSA1

Result after this call: Set the pointer to the first occurrence of RAP01
in the Database. 1ST Time use unqualified SSA and then onwards use a
qualified SSA.

CALL 'CBLTDLI' USING WS-GNP-FUNC CDB-PCB RAP22E WS-RAP03-SSA2

WS-RAP22E-SSA

Note:- Site http://www.geocities.com/s_sunil_raju/ims.htm