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CICS Service Flow

IBM Supported z/OS

Java and Web Legacy Application/Data Access CICS

Vendor

IBM

Product Overview

The architecture of CICS Service Flow comprises several key components that work together to enable the creation and execution of web services from CICS applications. The primary components include the GUI development environment, the service flow definition, and the runtime component. The GUI development environment, which integrates with Rational Developer for System z, provides a visual interface for designing and configuring service flows.

Developers use this environment to define service interfaces, map data between the service and the CICS application, and configure security settings. The service flow definition, generated by the GUI, describes the mapping and transformation logic required to expose the CICS application as a web service. This definition is deployed to the CICS region.

The runtime component, which resides within the CICS environment, is responsible for executing the service flows. It receives service requests, interacts with the CICS application, and transforms data between the service interface and the application. Communication between the client and the service occurs over HTTP/HTTPS, using SOAP or REST protocols.

Security is handled through authentication methods such as Basic Authentication and client certificates, and access control is managed using CICS security features, including RBAC. The product integrates with CICS monitoring and logging for operational management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CICS Service Flow and what does it do?

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CICS Service Flow is an optional CICS feature designed to create web services from legacy CICS applications. It facilitates the transformation of existing applications into Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) based web services, enabling them to be accessed by modern applications. This allows for the reuse of existing business logic and data within a more flexible architecture.

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What are the primary benefits of using CICS Service Flow?

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The main benefits include the ability to modernize legacy applications without extensive code changes, improved application integration, and faster development cycles for web services. It allows businesses to expose CICS applications as web services, enabling them to participate in modern, service-oriented architectures. This also promotes reusability and reduces development costs.

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What is the role of the GUI development environment?

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The GUI development environment, compatible with Rational Developer for System z, simplifies the creation and management of service flows. It provides a visual interface for defining service interfaces, mapping data, and configuring service behavior. This reduces the complexity of web service development and accelerates the process of exposing CICS applications as services.

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What is the purpose of the runtime component?

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The runtime component is essential for executing CICS Service Flow applications. It handles the processing of service requests, interaction with CICS applications, and the transformation of data between the service interface and the underlying application. Without the runtime component, the service flows cannot function.

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What types of APIs does CICS Service Flow expose?

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CICS Service Flow primarily exposes SOAP and REST APIs. These APIs allow external applications to interact with CICS applications through standard web service protocols. The choice between SOAP and REST depends on the requirements of the consuming applications and the desired level of complexity.

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What programming languages are supported for integration?

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CICS Service Flow supports integration with applications developed in various programming languages that can consume SOAP or REST web services. This includes Java, .NET, and other languages that have the capability to interact with web service endpoints. The specific SDKs used depend on the chosen programming language.

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What are the main system components of CICS Service Flow?

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The main components include the GUI development environment, the service flow definition, and the runtime component. The GUI environment is used for designing and configuring service flows. The service flow definition describes the mapping and transformation logic. The runtime component executes the service flows within the CICS environment.

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What protocols are used for communication?

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CICS Service Flow uses HTTP and HTTPS for communication. SOAP and REST protocols are used to define the structure of the messages exchanged between the service and the client applications. These protocols ensure interoperability and allow for secure data transfer.

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How does CICS Service Flow contribute to cost reduction?

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CICS Service Flow reduces costs by enabling the reuse of existing CICS applications, minimizing the need for new development. It accelerates the development of web services, leading to faster time-to-market for new applications and services. The ability to integrate legacy systems with modern applications also reduces the need for expensive system replacements.

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How does CICS Service Flow improve agility?

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CICS Service Flow enhances agility by allowing businesses to quickly adapt to changing market demands. It enables the rapid creation of new services by exposing existing CICS functionality as web services. This flexibility allows organizations to respond faster to business opportunities and customer needs.

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What is the impact on developer productivity?

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CICS Service Flow increases developer productivity by providing a GUI-based development environment and automating many of the tasks involved in creating web services. This reduces the amount of manual coding required and allows developers to focus on business logic rather than low-level integration details. The result is faster development cycles and reduced errors.

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How does CICS Service Flow support digital transformation initiatives?

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CICS Service Flow supports digital transformation by enabling the integration of legacy systems with modern applications and platforms. It allows businesses to leverage their existing investments in CICS applications while adopting new technologies and architectures. This facilitates the creation of new digital experiences and services.

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What authentication methods are supported?

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CICS Service Flow supports authentication methods such as Basic Authentication and client certificate authentication. These methods ensure that only authorized users and applications can access the web services. The specific authentication method used depends on the security requirements of the service and the client applications.

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What access control model is used?

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CICS Service Flow leverages the security features of CICS, which supports various access control models, including role-based access control (RBAC). This allows administrators to define roles and assign permissions to control access to the web services. This ensures that users only have access to the resources they need.

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What encryption is used?

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CICS Service Flow supports encryption through HTTPS for secure communication. This ensures that data transmitted between the client and the service is protected from eavesdropping and tampering. The encryption is applied to the entire communication channel.

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What audit/logging capabilities exist?

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CICS Service Flow integrates with CICS logging and auditing mechanisms. This allows for the logging of service requests, responses, and any errors that occur during processing. These logs can be used for security audits, troubleshooting, and performance analysis.

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What administrative interfaces are available?

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CICS Service Flow can be administered through the CICS management interfaces, including the CICS Explorer and the CICS Transaction Server (CICS TS) management console. These interfaces provide tools for monitoring, managing, and configuring service flows. They allow administrators to monitor the performance of the services and troubleshoot any issues.

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How is user management handled?

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User management is handled through the CICS security features. This includes defining user IDs, assigning roles, and managing permissions. CICS integrates with external security managers, such as RACF, to provide comprehensive user management capabilities. This ensures that only authorized users can access the services.

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What are the main configuration parameters?

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The main configuration parameters include service flow definitions, security settings, and connection details for interacting with CICS applications. These parameters are configured through the GUI development environment and the CICS management interfaces. Proper configuration is essential for the correct operation of the services.

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What monitoring capabilities exist?

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CICS Service Flow integrates with CICS monitoring tools, providing real-time performance metrics and statistics. This includes monitoring the number of service requests, response times, and error rates. These metrics can be used to identify performance bottlenecks and ensure the availability of the services.

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CICS Service Flow

Product Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CICS Service Flow and what does it do?

undefined

undefined

What are the primary benefits of using CICS Service Flow?

undefined

undefined

What is the role of the GUI development environment?

undefined

undefined

What is the purpose of the runtime component?

undefined

undefined

What types of APIs does CICS Service Flow expose?

undefined

undefined

What programming languages are supported for integration?

undefined

undefined

What are the main system components of CICS Service Flow?

undefined

undefined

What protocols are used for communication?

undefined

undefined

How does CICS Service Flow contribute to cost reduction?

undefined

undefined

How does CICS Service Flow improve agility?

undefined

undefined

What is the impact on developer productivity?

undefined

undefined

How does CICS Service Flow support digital transformation initiatives?

undefined

undefined

What authentication methods are supported?

undefined

undefined

What access control model is used?

undefined

undefined

What encryption is used?

undefined

undefined

What audit/logging capabilities exist?

undefined

undefined

What administrative interfaces are available?

undefined

undefined

How is user management handled?

undefined

undefined

What are the main configuration parameters?

undefined

undefined

What monitoring capabilities exist?

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