Interfaces to QMF for TSO and CICS

QMF for TSO and CICS® provides several ways to integrate QMF functions seamlessly into existing applications.

Stored procedure interface to QMF for TSO

The stored procedure interface to QMF for TSO allows any software program that can call a Db2® for z/OS® stored procedure, such as QMF for Workstation and WebSphere®, to start QMF for TSO, run a predefined QMF query or procedure, and receive up to 20 reports back as result sets. This interface allows users who might be unfamiliar with QMF for TSO to do meaningful work with the program and provides seamless access to features and resources that might exist only on the system where QMF for TSO is running. Network traffic, and therefore processor time and total cost of ownership, are kept to a minimum because send and receive operations are reduced to a single CALL and return. The interface is made available through a REXX stored procedure that must run in a WLM-managed address space.

To start QMF for TSO as a stored procedure, you issue a CALL statement with predefined syntax. Input parameters passed on the CALL statement include the name of a QMF query or procedure that performs the required QMF tasks, as well as trace settings and the national language in which you want QMF for TSO to run. QMF authenticates the authorization ID under which the WLM-managed address space was started, then runs the query or procedure and returns the required output. The query or procedure that runs after QMF starts must exist in the QMF object catalog on the Db2 for z/OS subsystem in which the stored procedure interface was installed. QMF returns any messages from the stored procedure run in an output parameter.

Similar to QMF for TSO batch mode, the stored procedure interface runs the query or procedure noninteractively, allowing users to multitask. A procedure that is passed to the stored procedure interface can also be used to start a batch job. This capability allows any Db2 client that can issue a CALL statement to access QMF for TSO batch services.

Callable interface

You can build sophisticated application suites by using the QMF callable interface and a variety of supported programming languages.

The callable interface lets you integrate QMF functions into ISPF applications or applications written in any of the following programming languages:
  • C
  • COBOL
  • FORTRAN
  • High-Level Assembler
  • PL/I
  • REXX

For example, a REXX program can initiate a QMF session through the callable interface. By directing commands to QMF for execution, the REXX program can run queries, create reports, export and import data, or start an interactive table editing session with QMF's Table Editor. The REXX program can then end the QMF session and continue processing the information. REXX is also available for use in QMF forms and procedures.

Using the callable interface, you can also start an application from within an existing QMF session. Your application can run QMF commands, queries, or procedures and retrieve the results. For example, your application could generate a letter to each employee that is based on a combination of job type and years of service.

Command interface

The command interface allows you to use QMF services from an Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF) dialog. You can integrate QMF for TSO and CICS functions within ISPF dialogs so that users see only ISPF menus.