Setting up CICS definitions for an Atom feed

To serve an Atom feed from CICS® you can use the CICS Explorer® to create an Atom configuration file in a bundle project and deploy the project to a CICS region. When you install the BUNDLE resource, CICS creates the ATOMSERVICE and URIMAP resources for you. You can also set up an alias transaction for your Atom feed.

Before you begin

Before serving an Atom feed from CICS, you must configure the base components of CICS web support, if you have not already done so. Configuring CICS web support components explains how configure these base components of CICS web support.

Your CICS region must have a TCPIPSERVICE resource definition for the port where you want web clients to make HTTP requests for your Atom feed. Creating TCPIPSERVICE resource definitions for CICS web support explains how to define a TCPIPSERVICE resource.

You must also select the resource that provides the data for your Atom entries, and create either an XML binding or a service routine to support the delivery of this data. Setting up a resource to supply Atom entry data explains how to create an XML binding or a service routine.

About this task

Complete the tasks listed in the following procedure to set up CICS definitions to serve an Atom feed composed of data from the selected resource, delivered using the XML binding or service routine that you have created.

Ensure that the configuration file is in EBCDIC and it is assumed that it is provided in code page 1047 unless 'encoding=' has been specified.

Procedure

  1. Create a basic Atom configuration file in a bundle project using the Atom configuration wizard in CICS Explorer.
    For more information, see Creating an Atom configuration file.
  2. Edit the Atom configuration file using the Atom configuration editor in CICS Explorer, to amend existing data or add addition XML elements.
    For more information, see Editing an Atom configuration file.
  3. Optional: Create an alias transaction for the Atom feed.
    For more information, see Creating an alias transaction for an Atom feed.
  4. Deploy the bundle project to your CICS region.
    For more information, see Deploying a CICS bundle project from CICS Explorer.

Results

An Atom feed BUNDLE resource is defined and installed in a CICS region. CICS creates the ATOMSERVICE, XMLTRANSFORM, and URIMAP resources for you. When the BUNDLE resource is enabled web clients can access the Atom feed.

What to do next

Many free or commercially available web client applications are able to request, receive, and display Atom feeds, including dedicated feed readers and also applications that provide further functions, such as applications for creating mashups. Check that the application is described as supporting the Atom format. You can also write your own web client application to make GET requests for Atom feed data.