CICS Programming Language Quiz! Trivia Test

1. "MASSINSERT" options write a group of records into a VSAM file, and it is a high-performance option.

True

False

The "MASSINSERT" options are used to write a group of records into a VSAM file. This option is known for its high-performance capabilities, meaning it can efficiently handle large amounts of data and process it quickly. Therefore, the statement that "MASSINSERT" options write a group of records into a VSAM file and are a high-performance option is true.

Explanation

The "MASSINSERT" options are used to write a group of records into a VSAM file. This option is known for its high-performance capabilities, meaning it can efficiently handle large amounts of data and process it quickly. Therefore, the statement that "MASSINSERT" options write a group of records into a VSAM file and are a high-performance option is true.

2. Intra-partition TDQ can be accessed by any transaction in the CICS region?

True

False

Intra-partition TDQ can be accessed by any transaction in the CICS region. This means that any transaction running within the same partition as the TDQ can access and manipulate the data in the TDQ. The intra-partition TDQ provides a way for different transactions to communicate and share data within the same CICS region. Therefore, the statement "True" is correct.

Explanation

Intra-partition TDQ can be accessed by any transaction in the CICS region. This means that any transaction running within the same partition as the TDQ can access and manipulate the data in the TDQ. The intra-partition TDQ provides a way for different transactions to communicate and share data within the same CICS region. Therefore, the statement "True" is correct.

3. How do we call sub-program from cics program? EXEC CICS XCTL PROGRAM(PGM-NAME) END-EXEC

FALSE

TRUE

SYNTAX NOT CORRECT

None

The correct answer is TRUE. In CICS, we can call a sub-program using the EXEC CICS XCTL statement followed by the PROGRAM(PGM-NAME) parameter. This statement transfers control to the specified sub-program, allowing it to be executed.

Explanation

The correct answer is TRUE. In CICS, we can call a sub-program using the EXEC CICS XCTL statement followed by the PROGRAM(PGM-NAME) parameter. This statement transfers control to the specified sub-program, allowing it to be executed.

4. What are the end-of -file conditions?

VSAM- ENDFILE

TSQ -ITEMERR

TDQ - QZERO

All of the above

The correct answer is "All of the above" because each option listed represents an end-of-file condition for different types of files. In VSAM, ENDFILE indicates the end of the file has been reached. In TSQ (Temporary Storage Queue), ITEMERR indicates that there are no more items in the queue. In TDQ (Transient Data Queue), QZERO indicates that the queue is empty. Therefore, all three options represent different end-of-file conditions for their respective file types.

Explanation

The correct answer is "All of the above" because each option listed represents an end-of-file condition for different types of files. In VSAM, ENDFILE indicates the end of the file has been reached. In TSQ (Temporary Storage Queue), ITEMERR indicates that there are no more items in the queue. In TDQ (Transient Data Queue), QZERO indicates that the queue is empty. Therefore, all three options represent different end-of-file conditions for their respective file types.

5. In general, how many macros we code in BMP map definition?

3 DFHMSD, MDI, MDF

2 DFHMSD, MDI

1 DFHMSD

None

The correct answer is 3 DFHMSD, MDI, MDF. In a BMP (Basic Mapping Support) map definition, we typically code three macros. DFHMSD is used to define the mapset, screen, and map level attributes. MDI is used to define the map input fields and their attributes. MDF is used to define the map output fields and their attributes. These three macros are essential for defining the structure and behavior of a map in a BMP environment.

Explanation

The correct answer is 3 DFHMSD, MDI, MDF. In a BMP (Basic Mapping Support) map definition, we typically code three macros. DFHMSD is used to define the mapset, screen, and map level attributes. MDI is used to define the map input fields and their attributes. MDF is used to define the map output fields and their attributes. These three macros are essential for defining the structure and behavior of a map in a BMP environment.

6. Important CICS copy lib members?

DFHEIBLK

DFHBMSCA

None of the above

A and b

The important CICS copy lib members are DFHEIBLK and DFHBMSCA. These members play crucial roles in CICS. DFHEIBLK is a copybook that defines the format of the EIB (Execute Interface Block), which contains information about the current task being executed in CICS. DFHBMSCA is a copybook that defines the format of the BMS (Basic Mapping Support) control blocks, which are used for screen handling in CICS applications. Both of these copy lib members are essential for proper functioning of CICS programs.

Explanation

The important CICS copy lib members are DFHEIBLK and DFHBMSCA. These members play crucial roles in CICS. DFHEIBLK is a copybook that defines the format of the EIB (Execute Interface Block), which contains information about the current task being executed in CICS. DFHBMSCA is a copybook that defines the format of the BMS (Basic Mapping Support) control blocks, which are used for screen handling in CICS applications. Both of these copy lib members are essential for proper functioning of CICS programs.

7. The size of the EIBRESP code?

6 bytes

4 bytes

2 bytes

None

The EIBRESP code is a 4-byte field that is used in IBM mainframe systems to indicate the response code of a program or transaction. This code is typically used to determine the success or failure of a particular operation. The 4-byte size allows for a wide range of possible response codes to be represented, providing enough flexibility for different types of errors or statuses to be communicated.

Explanation

The EIBRESP code is a 4-byte field that is used in IBM mainframe systems to indicate the response code of a program or transaction. This code is typically used to determine the success or failure of a particular operation. The 4-byte size allows for a wide range of possible response codes to be represented, providing enough flexibility for different types of errors or statuses to be communicated.

8. IN CICS-DB2 table, where the program reference the plan?

PCT

RCT

PPT

None

In CICS-DB2 table, the program references the plan through the RCT (Resource Control Table). The RCT contains information about the resources used by CICS, including plans. It is responsible for managing the resources and ensuring their availability for programs. Therefore, in order to access the plan in the CICS-DB2 table, the program needs to reference the RCT.

Explanation

In CICS-DB2 table, the program references the plan through the RCT (Resource Control Table). The RCT contains information about the resources used by CICS, including plans. It is responsible for managing the resources and ensuring their availability for programs. Therefore, in order to access the plan in the CICS-DB2 table, the program needs to reference the RCT.

9. My friend in his coding given as Move '001' TO REC-KEY EXEC CICS READ NEXT ... RIDFLD(REC-KEY) Do you think it is possible to skip some records with this command? END-EXEC

Yes

No

The given code snippet does not include any condition or logic to skip records. It only moves the value '001' to the variable REC-KEY and then performs a CICS READ NEXT operation. This operation will read the next record sequentially without skipping any records. Therefore, it is not possible to skip records with this command.

Explanation

The given code snippet does not include any condition or logic to skip records. It only moves the value '001' to the variable REC-KEY and then performs a CICS READ NEXT operation. This operation will read the next record sequentially without skipping any records. Therefore, it is not possible to skip records with this command.

10. The major differences between TSQ and TDQ?

TSQ can be read and re-read

TDQ can not be re-read

TSQ stores on main or auxilary storage. TDQ stores only on physical file (VSAM)

All of the above

TSQ (Temporary Storage Queue) is a storage facility in main or auxiliary storage that can be read and re-read multiple times. On the other hand, TDQ (Transient Data Queue) is a storage facility that can only be read once and cannot be re-read. TDQ stores data only on a physical file known as VSAM. Therefore, the correct answer is that TSQ stores on main or auxiliary storage while TDQ stores only on a physical file (VSAM).

Explanation

TSQ (Temporary Storage Queue) is a storage facility in main or auxiliary storage that can be read and re-read multiple times. On the other hand, TDQ (Transient Data Queue) is a storage facility that can only be read once and cannot be re-read. TDQ stores data only on a physical file known as VSAM. Therefore, the correct answer is that TSQ stores on main or auxiliary storage while TDQ stores only on a physical file (VSAM).

11. What is the o/p from this command? EXEC CICS ASK TIME ABSTIME(DATA-ARAEA) END-EXEC

TIME

TIME STAMP

DATE AND TIME

NONE

The given command "EXEC CICS ASK TIME" is used to retrieve the current system time. The ABSTIME option is used to specify the storage area where the time value will be returned. In this case, the time value will be returned in the variable named DATA-ARAEA. Therefore, the output from this command will be the current system time.

Explanation

The given command "EXEC CICS ASK TIME" is used to retrieve the current system time. The ABSTIME option is used to specify the storage area where the time value will be returned. In this case, the time value will be returned in the variable named DATA-ARAEA. Therefore, the output from this command will be the current system time.