Configuring and Running a Batch Application with CICS Call Support in PLI

This article provides guidance on using our PLI product to support EXCI calls for CICS applications.

If you need to call CICS applications during batch execution, our PLI product supports it. Follow the steps below to configure and run a batch application with a CICS call.

Minimum Required PLI Product Versions:

• pli_runtime_version=v2.1.78.cbs.jee10
• pli_compiler_version=v1.2.75

Steps to Configure and Execute a Batch Application with CICS Call

• Add EXCI Configuration:

  • Before transpiling the batch application, include the --exci configuration. This configuration generates the necessary statements to integrate the Batch application with CICS programs.

• Transpile and Prepare Dependencies:

  • Transpile the application using the --exci configuration, then create a JAR file for the application.
  • Prepare all required dependencies. This includes the ecobol, etrans, manifold, and runtime JARs. If your application relies on additional libraries, prepare those as well.

• Set Package Names for Non-Default Declarations:

  • If your application doesn’t use the default package declaration, adjust the package name in the EBP configuration. Set the package name to match one of the systemlib configurations. (EBP will look for the program name within the provided JAR files under the package names defined in the systemlib configuration.)

• Add Dependency JARs to Classlibs Configuration:

  • Specify the dependency JARs in the classlibs configuration of EBP as follows:
    makefile

    PATH\batch.jar:PATH\ecobol.jar:PATH\etrans.jar:PATH\manifold.jar:PATH\runtime.jar:PATH\required_dependencies_for_batch.jar

• Prepare a deploy.properties File:

  • Create a deploy.properties file and specify its path in the classlibs configuration. This file will be used to read the URL and BASICAUTHSTRING values when executing the CICS program. The prefix CICSA_ points to the APPLID attribute of the CICS LINK statement in Exci02.
    bash

    PATH\deploy.properties CICSA_URL=http://localhost:8080/zzCics-1/servlet CICSA_BASICAUTHSTRING=RklSOTE4OlZpdGVjMTIzIQ==

• Create and Deploy the CICS Application:

  • Deploy the CICS application as needed.

• Execute the JCL:

  • EBP will generate a Java command to execute the batch program, passing the URL and BASICAUTHSTRING properties. This will trigger the CICS application via the specified URL. The output from the CICS application will be returned through COMMAREA pointers.