IMS courses and badges

Advance your IMS skills by taking self-paced online courses at no cost and earn digital badges.

Course	Description
	IMS Fundamentals After you complete this course, you should be able to: Understand the components and benefits of an IMS database system Describe the processing of a database record in hierarchic sequence and identify the different IMS database organization types and contrast the requirements and effects of sequential versus direct access of database segments Understand the differences between Database Description (DBD) and Program Specification Block (PSB) control blocks Explain the reasons for the use of secondary indexes and logical relationships Contrast full-function (including High Availability Large Databases) and Fast Path database types Describe some of the services provided by an IMS control region and the basic IMS Data Communications functions of the IMS Transaction Manager (IMS TM) Identify the roles of messages, queues, and logical terminals Explain the different scheduling characteristics of the IMS and Transaction Manager region types: Message Processing, Batch Message Processing, and Interactive Fast Path Identify the functions of dynamic and batch backout, the system log, the benefits of periodically backing up a database, and commit points in recovery and restart Explain the capabilities of a conversational program and its implications on processing and performance Describe the function of Database Recovery Control (DBRC), Integrated Resource Lock Manager (IRLM) for data sharing, and distributed processing Understand how Db2 data can be accessed by IMS TM, how IMS databases can be accessed through the DBCTL interface by CICS, and how IMS database data and IMS transactions can be accessed from the Internet
	IMS System Programming in a DBCTL Environment After you finish this intermediate course, you should have a detailed knowledge of the combined system: CICS and the IMS database controller system and should be able to: Understand DBCTL in an IMS environment Design, install, and customize a DBCTL system according to application requirements Perform basic system administration for an IMS system with DBCTL including the operating and optimization of a CICS - IMS database controller configuration
	IMS Diagnostics After you complete this intermediate course, you should be able to: Understand the relationships between IMS components Explain IBM's recommendations for IMS diagnostic setup Understand the usage of the IMS Interactive Dump Formatter Identify the key z/OS IPCS commands that are useful for IMS problem diagnostics Describe and perform the methodology for debugging IMS abends Describe and perform the methodology for debugging IMS waits and loops

Frequently asked questions

How do I earn a badge?

Courses that offer badges include one or more exams. You must pass those exams. See the "Grading and badge" topic in the course to see the grading policy and how exams are graded.

If I pass the course, when do I get the badge?

Badges are typically issued automatically after you meet the course requirements and grading policy. You should get an email notification of receiving the badge in one to four days.

Credly Support: For questions related to your Credly badge earner account and profile, as well as issues related to claiming your badge after receiving a notification, go to support.credly.com.

Whom do I contact if I have problems with course content?

You can contact the IMS Skills Development team at ibmimsom@us.ibm.com.

Where can I find more information about digital badges?

For more information about badges, see Frequently asked question on IBM Training.

NOTICE: IBM leverages the services of Credly, a 3rd party data processor authorized by IBM and located in the United States, to assist in the administration of the IBM Digital Badge program. In order to issue you an IBM Digital Badge, your personal information (name, email address, and badge earned) will be shared with Credly. You will receive an email notification from Credly with instructions for claiming the badge. Your personal information is used to issue your badge and for program reporting and operational purposes. It will be handled in a manner consistent with IBM privacy practices. The IBM Privacy Statement can be viewed here: https://www.ibm.com/privacy/us/en/. IBM employees can view the IBM Internal Privacy Statement here: https://w3.ibm.com/w3publisher/w3-privacy-notice.