Developing Java applications

You can write Java™ application programs that use CICS® services and run under CICS control. Using the IBM® CICS SDK for Java or other Java IDEs, you can develop applications that use the JCICS class library to access CICS resources and interact with programs that are written in other languages. You can also connect to your Java programs by using various protocols and technologies, such as web services or z/OS® Connect Enterprise Edition.

CICS provides a JVM server runtime environment for Java application development. You can develop applications using the IBM CICS SDK for Java, Maven modules, or Gradle modules.

The IBM CICS SDK for Java is an Eclipse-based tool that provides support for developing and deploying Java applications to CICS. It contains the JCICS class libraries to develop applications that access CICS resources and services; for example, you can access VSAM files, transient data queues, and temporary storage. You can also use JCICS to link to CICS applications that are written in other languages, such as COBOL, PL/I, and C. The IBM CICS SDK for Java includes a set of samples to help you get started if you are new to developing Java applications for CICS.

The artifacts for Java that are provided by CICS on Maven Central enable you to resolve Java dependencies easily and fast. They provide support for the JCICS library, CICS annotations, and CICS annotation processor. You can declare the dependencies in a Maven or Gradle module using most Java IDEs, and develop the applications in the same way as you do for other platforms.