Transactions for communicating with IMS

When using a terminal (a non-programmable workstation), the operator must enter a transaction in a certain format in order for it to be recognized by IMS.

When the operator uses the /FORMAT command, IMS formats the screen using MFS. This format is defined by the installation.

Transaction code format for entering transactions

Use the transaction code format shown below to send a message to an application program:


transaction_code     (password)    text

where:

transaction_code: Is a 1- to 8-byte alphanumeric code defined during IMS system definition. Special characters (embedded blank, slash, dash, equal sign, comma, and period) are not allowed. A blank or left parenthesis must follow the transaction code. You can use the COMM system definition macro to eliminate the need for a blank in a segment consisting of only the transaction code.
(password): Is a password that must be entered with the transaction code (when required by installation security). Enclose the password in parentheses and concatenate it to the transaction code. If a password is not required, IMS ignores any password you enter.
For terminals using MFS, password entry is controlled by installation-defined formats.
text: Is the single-segment or multi-segment input message. Only the first segment of a multi-segment message can contain the transaction code and password.

Use the /SET command to send a continuous series of messages to the same application program. The /SET command puts the terminal in preset mode and eliminates the need to enter the transaction code (and password, if required) for each message. Preset mode fixes the destination for all messages entered from a terminal.

The text included in the transaction is application dependent, and should be clearly documented for each transaction type an end user might use.