What are the common commands and their syntax?

The primary command is the Help Display transaction, which is invoked from within a CICS session. The syntax involves entering the transaction ID followed by a help topic identifier. Configuration files are used to define the help repository and map help topics to their corresponding text.

What API does BOS-help expose?

BOS-help/ACCESS provides an API for programmatic access to help information. The API allows programs to retrieve and update help content. The specific API endpoints and method names are defined in the BOS-help/ACCESS documentation.

What are the main system components?

The main components include the Help Display transaction, the Help Repository, and the BMS-Scan-UTILITY. The Help Display transaction interacts with the user. The Help Repository stores help data. The BMS-Scan-UTILITY processes BMS source code.

What is the business value of using BOS-help?

BOS-help provides a way to deliver online help within CICS applications without requiring changes to the application code. This reduces the risk and effort associated with modifying existing systems. It improves user productivity by providing readily available information.

How does BOS-help improve efficiency?

By using BOS-help, organizations can centralize their help documentation. This ensures consistency and simplifies updates. The BMS-Scan-UTILITY automates the generation of help definitions from BMS source code, saving time and resources.

How does BOS-help reduce costs?

BOS-help can reduce training costs by providing readily accessible help information. Users can quickly find answers to their questions without needing to consult external documentation or seek assistance from support staff. This leads to faster problem resolution.

How does BOS-help support content reuse?

The BOS-Convert utility allows organizations to reuse existing documentation in formats like Microsoft Word, RTF, and HTML. This reduces the effort required to create and maintain help content. It also allows for easier updates.

What authentication methods are supported?

BOS-help does not have built-in authentication methods. Access to the help system is typically controlled through CICS security mechanisms. The specific authentication methods depend on the CICS environment configuration.

What access control model is used?

Access control is managed through the CICS security model. This model typically uses user IDs and passwords to control access to CICS transactions and resources. The specific access control model depends on the CICS configuration.

What encryption is used?

BOS-help does not provide built-in encryption. Data security relies on the security features of the underlying CICS environment and the storage mechanisms used for the help repository.

What audit/logging capabilities exist?

BOS-help does not have built-in audit or logging capabilities. Auditing and logging depend on the CICS environment's capabilities. CICS provides facilities for logging transaction activity and security events.

What administrative interfaces are available?

Administrative interfaces are primarily through CICS commands and configuration. The Help Repository and other components are managed through CICS transactions and system configuration files. The BMS-Scan-UTILITY is a batch utility.

How is user management handled?

User management is handled through the CICS security features. User access to the BOS-help system is controlled by the CICS security configuration. This includes user IDs, passwords, and access permissions.

What are the main configuration parameters?

The main configuration parameters include the location of the Help Repository and the mapping of help topics to their corresponding text. These parameters are typically defined in CICS system initialization tables and configuration files.

What monitoring/logging capabilities exist?

Monitoring and logging capabilities rely on the CICS environment. CICS provides facilities for monitoring transaction activity, system performance, and security events. These logs can be used to troubleshoot issues.

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BOS-help

B.O.S. Software Service Not Supported z/OS zVSE/VSEn

Help Documentation and Training CICS

Vendor

B.O.S. Software Service

Product Overview

The architecture of BOS-help is centered around the CICS environment, with key components designed to integrate seamlessly. The main components include the Help Display transaction, the Help Repository, and the BMS-Scan-UTILITY. The Help Display transaction is the user interface for accessing help information.

It interacts with the CICS region to display help content. The Help Repository is a data store that contains the help definitions and text. It is typically implemented using VSAM or other z/OS storage mechanisms.

The BMS-Scan-UTILITY is a batch utility that analyzes BMS source code to generate help definitions. It processes BMS source code and creates the necessary data structures for the Help Repository. The BOS-Convert utility converts documents from various formats into BOS-help format.

The Help Display transaction uses CICS communication facilities to interact with users. The BMS-Scan-UTILITY uses batch processing. The BOS-Convert utility uses file I/O.

Since BOS-help is not supported, consider alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BOS-help?

BOS-help allows users to view online help for CICS applications without modifying the application code. It provides a centralized help repository accessible through a CICS transaction. The system uses a combination of batch utilities and online interfaces to manage and display help information.

What are the main components of BOS-help?

BOS-help utilizes a combination of components including the Help Display transaction, the Help Repository, and the BMS-Scan-UTILITY. The Help Display transaction is the primary interface for users to access help. The Help Repository stores the help definitions and text. The BMS-Scan-UTILITY is used to generate help definitions from BMS source code.

What utilities are included with BOS-help?

The BMS-Scan-UTILITY analyzes BMS source code to extract information and generate help definitions. The BOS-Convert utility converts documents from formats like Microsoft Word, RTF, and HTML into the BOS-help format. These utilities streamline the process of creating and maintaining help content.

How does BOS-help integrate with CICS?

BOS-help is designed to integrate with CICS environments on z/OS and zVSE/VSEn platforms. It provides a way to display help information within CICS transactions. The system does not require modifications to existing CICS application code.

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BOS-help

Product Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BOS-help?

What are the main components of BOS-help?

What utilities are included with BOS-help?

How does BOS-help integrate with CICS?

What are the common commands and their syntax?

What API does BOS-help expose?

What are the main system components?

How do the components communicate?

What is the business value of using BOS-help?

How does BOS-help improve efficiency?

How does BOS-help reduce costs?

How does BOS-help support content reuse?

What authentication methods are supported?

What access control model is used?

What encryption is used?

What audit/logging capabilities exist?

What administrative interfaces are available?

How is user management handled?

What are the main configuration parameters?

What monitoring/logging capabilities exist?

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