Defining the CMAC messages data set

The CMAC messages data set is a VSAM key-sequenced data set (KSDS) called DFHCMACD. The CMAC transaction uses DFHCMACD to provide online descriptions of the CICS® messages and codes.

About this task

To use the CICS messages facility in your CICS region, you must create your own CSD group lists to include the DFHCMAC group for the CICS messages facility and any other groups of resources that your CICS region requires. Specify your new group lists on the GRPLIST system initialization parameter when you start up your CICS region.

Specify the DFHCMAC group of resources for the CICS messages facility only in those CICS regions that use the facility; for example, on terminal-owning regions, but perhaps not on data-owning regions.

Procedure

  1. Create the DFHCMACD data set and load it with the CICS-supplied messages and codes data.
    You can create the data set in one of the following ways:
  2. If you use the supplied sample job to define the messages data set, add the following data definition statement to your CICS startup JCL:
    //DFHCMACD  DD DSN=CICSTS54.CICS.DFHCMACD,DISP=SHR
  3. Create a CICS resource definition for the CMAC file.
    The supplied definition for the CMAC file and other resources required by the CICS messages facility are in the CSD group DFHCMAC. The CICS IVPs have a DD statement for the CMAC file, but for dynamic allocation you must copy the supplied resource definition for the CMAC file and add the DSNAME option.
  4. Create your own CSD group list to include the supplied group list DFHLIST, the DFHCMAC group for the CICS messages facility, and any other groups of resources that your CICS region needs.
    Specify this group list in the GRPLIST system initialization parameter when you start your CICS region.

Results

The CICS messages are available from the CMAC transaction.