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Product Overview

Preference is a software tool set designed to create and deliver online help and reference information within mainframe environments. It enables developers to build interactive help systems that can be accessed directly from applications running in VTAM, CA IDMS, CICS, IMS, and TSO. Preference runs on the z/OS platform and requires specific subsystems such as VTAM, CA IDMS, CICS, IMS, and TSO to be present.

It operates within an LPAR on the mainframe. Preference is typically deployed on-premise within the mainframe environment. The main system components would include modules for creating help topics, linking topics to application screens, and managing navigation.

These components communicate through internal APIs or system calls. Preference likely integrates with mainframe security systems such as RACF or ACF2 for access control. Administrative interfaces would likely include command-line interfaces (CLIs) and potentially ISPF panels for managing the help system and user access.

Alternatives to Preference include manual documentation or generic help authoring tools not specifically designed for mainframe environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Preference do?

Preference is a software product designed to create and deliver online help and reference information within mainframe environments. It enables developers to build interactive help systems that can be accessed directly from applications running in VTAM, CA IDMS, CICS, IMS, and TSO.

Is this a system, application, or tool?

Preference is best described as a tool set. It provides the tools and utilities necessary to create, format, and deliver help content within the specified mainframe environments.

What types of organizations use this?

Organizations that rely heavily on mainframe applications for their core business processes and need to provide users with readily accessible help and documentation are ideal candidates for Preference. This includes companies in industries such as banking, finance, insurance, and government.

When should we consider Preference?

A company should consider using Preference when they need to improve user productivity and reduce training costs by providing context-sensitive help directly within their mainframe applications. It is particularly useful when dealing with complex systems or a large user base.

What are the alternatives to Preference?

Alternatives to Preference include manual documentation, generic help authoring tools not specifically designed for mainframe environments, or custom-built help systems. Competing products might include older mainframe-based documentation tools.

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