Rocket IMS Year 2000 Exit Tool

The Rocket IMS Year 2000 Exit Tool's architecture centers on the IMS Data Conversion User Exit, which intercepts database calls to transform two-digit year fields to four-digit years. The main components include the user exit, configuration files, and date conversion routines. The user exit is typically written in Assembler or COBOL, enabling direct interaction with IMS.

Configuration files, managed via JCL, specify the date fields to be converted. The communication flow begins with an IMS database call. The user exit intercepts this call, checks the configuration files to determine if any date fields need conversion, and then applies the date transformation using the date conversion routines.

The transformed data is then passed back to the IMS database. The tool operates within the z/OS environment, and there are no specific network requirements beyond the standard IMS and z/OS communication channels. The tool uses the existing z/OS security infrastructure for authentication and access control.

The tool does not expose any APIs. The tool's operations are logged through IMS and z/OS logging mechanisms. The tool's design prioritizes minimal disruption, allowing for date conversions without requiring changes to the database schema or application code.

This architecture provides a flexible and efficient solution for addressing Year 2000 issues in IMS environments. The tool's focus is solely on IMS date conversion, providing a targeted solution for Year 2000 compliance.