CICS/TS 4.1 and Java

CICS’s support of Java gets better with each release – which means that a more current version of Java is needed each time a new release of CICS is installed. CICS/TS 4.1 requires the 31-bit version of Java 1.6 (at least SR3), which can be downloaded from the IBM web site.

If it is desired to get started with CICS/TS 4.1 before that version of Java is available, there is a workaround … Create a file called JAVA_INSTALL_OK in the JAVA_HOME directory. This file needs to contain just one line:

1.6.0

Be sure to flag the file as readable by CICS (e.g., chmod 644 JAVA_INSTALL_OK).

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Finding Orphaned CSD Groups

After maintaining a CICS region over time, adding and removing groups as needed to support applications, it is not uncommon to have orphaned CSD entries. Stephen Buckles wrote a REXX exec to help locate orphaned groups. The REXX code, including a required ISPF macro, and the JCL to run it can be found on CICS World.

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SHARE in Seattle

Don’t forget that the next SHARE conference is coming up fast (March 14-18), and early bird discounted registration ends January 22. There are always great CICS sessions at SHARE, presented by both IBM developers and fellow sysprogs sharing their experiences. I attended SHARE in Seattle in 2006, and it is a nice setting – highly recommended if you can attend. If you can’t attend because your employer won’t let you go, be sure to check out the page on building a case to attend SHARE on the SHARE web site.

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