CICS Program Deployment via API Call Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
The CICS transaction processing system does not support automated program deployment, requiring manual intervention that is time-consuming and error-prone, leading to outages and interruptions in business-critical applications.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to install a program within a CICS region without an antecedent program by intercepting and executing API calls, using a program launching module to schedule an interrupt request block and transition control from the host operating system to the CICS region, allowing the CICS region to execute API calls as if they are part of a service call, thereby bypassing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual program deployment is used in CICS, then program installation can be performed, but it requires manual intervention that is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated program deployment within CICS regions. The program deployment module automatically intercepts API calls, schedules interrupt request blocks, and executes program installation without requiring manual operator intervention, thereby eliminating human errors and reducing deployment time while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by intercepting API calls before program installation is attempted. The interrupt request block is scheduled in advance, and control transition mechanisms are prepared beforehand, allowing the deployment process to execute automatically and efficiently without manual intervention during the actual installation
2Productivity
If manual intervention is required for program deployment, then control can be managed, but it leads to outages and interruptions in business-critical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service automated deployment operations within the CICS region. The program deployment module automatically manages control transitions, intercepts necessary API calls, and executes installation procedures without requiring manual operator control, thereby maintaining high application availability while eliminating the need for manual intervention that causes outages
3Productivity
If automated program deployment is implemented, then deployment speed increases, but it requires intercepting and executing API calls without antecedent program
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary program deployment module that acts as a mediator between the host operating system and the CICS region. This module intercepts API calls and manages the complex control transition process, thereby enabling automated deployment without requiring changes to the core CICS infrastructure or antecedent programs, thus maintaining deployment speed while managing complexity through a dedicated intermediary component
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for installing a program within a CICS region without an antecedent program. A CICS region where the program is to be installed may detect an initiating event, the CICS region executing logical units of work that each corresponds to a task of a host operating system (OS). The initiating event may generate a first logical unit of work to intercept service calls made by the CICS region. In response to the first logical unit of work intercepting a first service call, control of execution of the first service call may be transitioned from the host OS to a CICS execution API. The CICS execution API may issue one or more API calls related to installation of the program, wherein the CICS execution API executes the one or more API calls as if they are part of the first service call.