Specifying an application interface block (AIB)

For example, using the AIB interface, the format for the GU command would be EXEC DLI GU AIB(aib), instead of EXEC DLI GU USING PCB(n) using the PCB format.

With IBM® CICS® Transaction Server for z/OS®, the EXEC DLI commands are supported in the AIB format (as well as the PCB format). The AIB-only commands ICMD, RCMD, and GMSG are supported by using the EXEC DLI interface.

The CICS EDF (Execution Diagnostic Facility) debugging transaction supports AIB EXEC DLI requests, just as it handles PCB type requests.

AIB mask

The AIB mask must be supplied by the application and referenced in the EXEC call instead of the PCB number (for example, EXEC DLI GU AIB(aib)).

The DIBSTAT field is set with a valid STATUS code when AIBRETRN = X'00000000' or X'00000900'. Applications should test AIBRETRN for any other values and respond accordingly.

CICS restrictions with AIB support

Restrictions due to function shipping include:

• The AIBLEN field must be between 128 and 256 bytes. 128 bytes is recommended.
• LIST=NO must not be specified on any PCBs in the PSB.