Conversation mode for transactions

Conversational processing allows an end user to have a continuing dialogue with an application program.

A user initiates a conversation by entering a transaction code that is defined as conversational. A conversation can follow an ETO user from one terminal to another. The maximum number of conversations that can be active for one user or one terminal at a time is 65535.

The following commands affect conversations:

• /DISPLAY displays the status of conversational processing in the system
• /EXIT terminates an active or suspended conversation
• /HOLD suspends an active conversation
• /RELEASE restarts a held conversation
• /RSTART LINE | NODE | USER recovers an active or suspended conversation on a stopped line, node, or user
• /START LINE | USER restarts the line or user but terminates the conversation

Using the appropriate keywords of the /DISPLAY command, the MTO can determine:

• The identification of all active (BUSY) or suspended (HELD) conversations in the system
• The number of conversations active or suspended in the system or related to a specific line, line and physical terminal, or user
• The number of inactive available conversations (the maximum number of conversations defined for the system minus the number of currently active or suspended conversations)

When you use the /DISPLAY command to display the status of a line or physical terminal, the displayed status includes, if applicable, the status of conversations related to that line.