CICS Debugging and Development Tools
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This section identifies various CICS debugging tools and provides instructions for their use:
- Tools List
- IBM/FAULT ANALYZER
- CEDF
- CEDX
- DEBUG
- Program Development Aids
- CICS Transaction ABEND Codes And Messages
| Tool | Description |
| CEDF | IBM's command execution diagnostic facility. |
| CECI | IBM's command processor. |
| CECS | IBM's command syntax checker. |
| CEDX | IBM's command execution diagnostic facility for non-2370 tasks. |
| DEBUG | IBM's' debugging tool. |
| FAULT ANALYZER | IBM's ABEND analysis tool. |
| BMS/TS | GT Software's screen design utility. |
| ASSIST/TS | GT Software's help window utility. |
| QuickRef | TSO utility for CICS messages and ABEND codes. |
| CEBR | IBM's temporary storage queue display. |
The IBM Fault Analyzer is IBM's tool for the analysis of program abnormal terminations(ABENDS). This tool is primarily aimed at CICS problem determination, but it has support for batch programs that, at this point, have not been implemented. We will remedy that shortcoming as soon as we can.
Please click here to view printed documentation and a PDF version of a powerpoint presentation that may be the best way to learn this products's features and techniques.
CEDF
IBM's CEDF (Command Execution Diagnostic Facility) allows the programmer to monitor the execution of Command Level instructions within a program under test. It displays a screen before and after each "EXEC CICS . . . " instruction and permits the programmer to view the parameters being passed back and forth to CICS. It also permits a programmer to browse working storage, etc. before and after such instructions. For complete instructions, see the CICS Application Programmer's Reference Manual (Command Level) available from IBM.
Type CEDF (hit enter) to turn it on.
Type CEDF,,OFF (hit enter) to turn it off, notice the double commas.
Two Terminal CEDF
This can be used to monitor a task at a different terminal. Type CEDF,XXXX (hit Enter) where XXXX is the other terminal ID. Type CEDF,XXXX,OFF (hit Enter) to turn it off)
CEDX
IBM's CEDF (Command Execution Diagnostic Facility for non-3270 tasks) allows the programmer to monitor the execution of Command Level instructions within a program under test. It displays a screen before and after each "EXEC CICS . . . " instruction and permits the programmer to view the parameters being passed back and forth to CICS. It also permits a programmer to browse working storage etc. before and after such instructions. For complete instructions, see the CICS Application Programmer's Reference Manual (Command Level) available from IBM.
Type CEDX,tttt (hit Enter) to turn it on (where tttt is the transaction code under which the task to be debugged will run).
Type CEDX,tttt,OFF (hit Enter) to turn it off.
The most common complaint I get when CEDF is discussed, is its verbose nature. It stops twice at every "EXEC CICS anything" in your program. If your program runs through very many records to arrive at the desired answer, CEDF can take quite a while. CEDF has two facilities that alleviate this problem. Suppress Display (PF4) and Stop Conditions (PF9) work together to get you quickly to the part of the program you wish to monitor.
Stop Conditions lets you tell CEDF which EXEC CICS commands on which you wish to stop.
Say you want to see what happens after your program performs an "end browse" command:
From a blank screen:
- Type CEDF
- Hit CLEAR
- Type your transaction code
- Hit ENTER
- When the first CEDF screen appears, hit PF9
- Type ENDBR where CEDF left the cursor
- Hit PF4 (suppress display)
Your program will then run. CEDF will re-appear if your program encounters any kind of error, or does an EXEC CICS ENDBR.....
Of course, Suppress Display (PF4) is also very useful when you need to run through several transactions to get to the point of interest.
The IBM DEBUG TOOL is available for the visual montioring of the statement-by-statement execution of COBOL programs. CICS. batch and DB2 stored proceures are all supported. This tool is available via 3270 terminal session or a CICS Expolorer based GUI presentation.
Please click here to view printed documentation and a PDF version of a powerpoint presentation that may be the best way to learn this products's features and techniques.
BMS/GT's documentation can be viewed by clicking here.
Basic mapping support screen generator, from GT/SOFTWARE. Easy to use free-form screen painter. One or more VSAM files required per institution. Contact NWRDC for guidance.
See the separate article on BMS/TS technique.
ASSIST/TS's documentation can be viewed by clicking here.
CICS Help screen manager, also from GT/SOFTWARE. ASSIST manages the display and maintenance of CICS help screens without the involvement of the application program.
CICS Transaction ABEND Codes And Messages
QUICKREF under TSO contains excellent summaries of CICS ABEND codes and messages of all kinds.