Basic mapping support

Basic mapping support (BMS) is an application programming interface between CICS® programs and terminal devices.

BMS is one of two sets of commands for this purpose. The other one, terminal control, is described in Terminal control.

For many applications, BMS has several advantages. First, BMS removes device dependencies from the application program. It interprets device-independent output commands and generates device-dependent data streams for specific terminals. It also transforms incoming device-dependent data into device-independent format. These features eliminate the need to learn complex device data streams. Allowing you to use the same program for various devices, because BMS determines the device information from the terminal definition, not from the application program.

Second, BMS separates the design and preparation of formats from application logic, reducing the impact of one on the other. Both of these features make it easier to write new programs and to maintain existing code.