Purging tasks

The operation of task purging when control is within a task-related user exit depends on the PURGEABLE option on the ENABLE PROGRAM command.

If the PURGEABLE option is not specified:
  • Before passing control to a task-related user exit program, CICS® inhibits:
    • The ability to purge tasks
    • The monitoring of runaway tasks
  • While control is in a task-related user exit program:
    • Purge requests are deferred until control is returned from the task-related user exit program.
    • Monitoring of runaway tasks is inactive.
    • Force purge requests are actioned.
If the PURGEABLE option is specified, before passing control to a task-related user exit program CICS inhibits the monitoring of runaway tasks but not the ability to purge tasks. While control is in a task-related user exit program:
  • Purge requests are actioned.
  • Force purge requests are actioned.
  • Monitoring of runaway tasks is inactive.

Wait states in your task-related user exit program

By default, tasks that are active in a task-related user exit and have entered a CICS wait state cannot be purged - only force purge can be used. However, if a task-related user exit is enabled with the PURGEABLE option, a task can be successfully purged from a wait within the task-related user exit.

If this option is to be used, the task-related user exit program must be written to process correctly a purged response from the wait. See ENABLE PROGRAM command for more information.