CICS Interview Questions and Answers | Basic and Advanced Levels

Written by Bhavya Sri | Apr 2, 2018 6:48:14 AM

Q1. Why do we need Integrated CICS translator?

Ans: The COBOL compiler works with the Integrated CICS translator When we use it Fromcompiler option.

When the compiler face CICS statements in the source program, it interfaces with the integrated CICS translator.

Then translator takes actions on the CICS statements and then back to the compiler, show what native language statements to generate.

There is no restrictions in Integrated Translator as compared to Separate Translator.

To handle both native Cobol and embedded CICS statements in the Source Program.

Q2. What’s the CICS command used to access current date and time?

Ans: ASKTIME command is used to access current date and time.

Q3. What is the function of the CICS translator?

Ans: The CICS translator converts the EXEC CICS commands into call statements for a specific programming language.

Q4. What are the differences between an EXEC CICS XCTL and an EXEC CICS LINK command?

Ans: The XCTL command transfer control to an application program at the same logical level and do not expect to control back, while the LINK command passes control to an application program at the next logical level and expects control back.

Q5. How do you dynamically set the CURSOR position to a specific field?

Ans: MOVE -1 to FIELD + L field. Mention CURSOR option in the SEND command.

Q6. What is CICS?

Ans: CICS basically stands for Customer Information Control System and happens to be software that monitors telecommunications from IBM. The mainframe operating systems of IBM are time-sharing and batch.

Q7. Which command is used to release a record on which exclusive control is gained?

Ans: EXEC CICS UNLOCK END-EXEC.

Q8. What are the attribute values of Skipper and Stopper fields?

Ans: For Skipper field use ASKIP and for stopper field use PROT.

Q9. How do you set the MDT option to ‘ON’ status, even if data is not entered?

Ans: Mention FSET option in DFHMDF or set it dynamically in the program using FIELD+A attribute field.

Q10. How ENQ and DEQ used in CICS?

Ans: ENQ and DEQ are parts of task control commands that are used in making a resource serially recyclable.

Q11. What is MDT?

Ans: MDT stands for MDT Modified Data Tag.

Preserves only one bit of attribute character.

It has two types of value i.e 0 and 1.

If it is 0 then it is off i.e terminal operator has not modify this field.

If it is 1 then it is on i.e terminal operator has modify this field.

If MDT is 1 then data of the field be sent from terminal end to host computer.

Q12. Which CICS service transaction is used to gain accessibility to CICS control tables?

Ans: CEDA transaction is used to gain accessibility to control tables.

ighlight the points of differences between XCTL and START?

Ans: XCTL basically acts as a medium through which you can pass the control through the identical task to another program. XCTL happens to be a program control command.

Q13. Difference between TSQ and TDQ.

Ans: Records inTemporary Storage can be read more than once.

Records in TSQ can be read randomly.
You may update an existing item in a TSQ.
TSQ names are dynamically defined in the application program.
TSQ cannot be accessed in batch.
TSQ cannot started automatically a CICS transaction.

Transient Data Quene (TDQ).

Temporary Data Queues can be read only once.
Records in TDQ can be read only sequentially.
A record in a TDQ cannot be updated.
TDQs name must first be defined in the DCT (Destination Control Table).
TDQ may be used by batch application.
TDQ can started automatically a CICS transaction.

Temporary Storage Queqe (TSQ)

Q14. What is the primary aspect of CICS?

Ans: CICS basically deals with the execution as well as development of online applications. It establishes a communication channel through the terminal and facilitates the receiving as well as sending of data that is formatted. One of the primary aspects of CICS is the accessibility of database as well as the files that they contain.

Q15. What is meant by a CICS task?

Ans: A CICS task basically a one-time execution of a certain CICS transaction. This process starts when the key is entered into the transaction, and the enter key is pressed. The execution process continues till the program returns the control back to CICS.

Q16. Can dynamic calls be used in CICS?

Ans: Yes. Dynamic calls can be used in CICS and as per the procedure, the user has to define the call routine in a PPT and CALL identifier must be used by the calling program.

Q17. Differentiate between PCT and FCT.

Ans: PCT stands for Program Control Table and basically has a complete list of transaction identifiers that are paired to respective corresponding programs.
FCT, on the other hand, stands for File Control Table has a complete list of all the files that have been used by CICS along with their status and record length.

Q18. What is meant by EIB (Execute Interface Block)?

Ans:

Every task contains one EIB.
During the execution of the task, the EIB exists.
All programs that are part of the task shares a common EIB.
EIB fields can be accessed by COBOL program through read mode.
CICS translator will allocate the EIB blocks in the linkage area of the program.

Q19. How a CICS Transaction be initiated?

Ans: Involving CICS Control programs and Control tables. a. Trans-id entered in terminal b. TCP with TCT recognizes incoming data c. SCP acquires the storage for the Terminal Input-Output Area (TIOA) d. KCP prepares control data for this task e.KCP, through PCT, tries to find the application program associated with the Trans-id. f. If PPT entry of the application program does not show the resident address of the program, KCP passes control to PCP, which fetches the application program from the load library and places it into the main storage. g. KCP passes control to the application program. h. Application program starts its processing

Q20. What happens when a CICS command contains the NOHANDLE option?

Ans: No action is going to be taken for any exceptional conditional occurring during the execution of this command. The abnormal condition that occurred will be ignored even if an EXEC CICS HANDLE condition exist. It has the same effect as the EXEC CICS IGNORE condition except that it will not cancel the previous HANDLE CONDITION for any other command.

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