CICS Interview Questions and Answers
Intermediate / 1 to 5 years experienced level questions & answers
Ques 1. Explain the difference between XCTL and LINK commands in CICS.
XCTL transfers control to another program and does not return, while LINK transfers control and returns after execution.
Ques 2. How do you define a transaction in CICS?
A CICS transaction is defined using a PCT (Program Control Table) entry, specifying program and transaction ID.
Ques 3. What is a CICS pseudo-conversational program?
Pseudo-conversational programs simulate a conversational style by using the XCTL command to transfer control between transactions.
Ques 4. How do you handle errors in CICS programs?
Errors are often handled by checking the RESP code after CICS commands and taking appropriate actions, such as rolling back the transaction.
Ques 5. Explain the purpose of the SYNCPOINT command in CICS.
SYNCPOINT is used to synchronize resource updates, ensuring that changes are either committed or rolled back together.
Ques 6. What is the significance of the DFHCOMMAREA in CICS programs?
DFHCOMMAREA is a CICS reserved area used for communication between programs within the same task. It allows passing data between program invocations.
Ques 7. Explain the purpose of the HANDLE CONDITION command in CICS.
HANDLE CONDITION is used to define exception-handling conditions, specifying actions to take when certain conditions occur during program execution.
Ques 8. How do you define a CICS file control entry?
File control entries define file-related information in the File Control Table (FCT), specifying attributes like file name, organization, and access mode.
Ques 9. What is the purpose of the XCTL and LINK parameters in the CICS program definition?
The XCTL and LINK parameters in the program definition specify whether a program is to be executed using XCTL or LINK when called from another program.
Ques 10. Explain the difference between a transient data queue and a temporary storage queue in CICS.
Transient data queues hold data within a task and are deleted when the task ends. Temporary storage queues persist data even after the task terminates.
Ques 11. What is a CICS symbolic map?
A CICS symbolic map is a map generated at runtime based on the mapset and containing symbolic field names defined in the mapset.
Ques 12. What is the CICS Journaling feature used for?
CICS Journaling is used to capture and log changes made to recoverable resources, providing a means for recovery in case of failures.
Ques 13. How do you define a CICS program entry in the Program Control Table (PCT)?
A CICS program entry in the PCT includes information such as program name, load module location, and language compiler options.
Ques 14. What is the purpose of the ENABLE and DISABLE commands in CICS?
ENABLE and DISABLE commands are used to control the processing of interrupts in a CICS region, allowing or preventing certain events.
Ques 15. How can you handle dynamic memory allocation in CICS?
Dynamic memory allocation in CICS is often handled using commands like GETMAIN and FREEMAIN to allocate and free storage during program execution.
Ques 16. Explain the purpose of the XCTL and LINK commands in CICS.
XCTL is used to transfer control to another program or transaction and does not return, while LINK transfers control and returns after execution.
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