Debugging & Testing Capabilities

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Introduction to Debugging & Testing Capabilities

Debugging and testing capabilities in CICS Explorer provide comprehensive tools for application development and quality assurance. Understanding debugger setup, breakpoint management, step-through debugging, and testing frameworks integration is essential for effective CICS application development.

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What are Debugging Capabilities in CICS Explorer?

Debugging capabilities in CICS Explorer include debugger setup and configuration, breakpoint management, step-through debugging, variable inspection, call stack analysis, and integration with CICS debugging tools for comprehensive application debugging and analysis.

Debugging Components

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Debugger Setup and Configuration

Debugger setup and configuration involves establishing debugging sessions, configuring debugger parameters, setting up connections to CICS regions, and integrating debugging tools for effective CICS application debugging and analysis.

Debugger Configuration

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Debugger Configuration Setup:
1. Debugger Preferences
   - Debug perspective settings
   - Variable display options
   - Breakpoint behavior
   - Step execution options
 
2. Connection Configuration
   - CICS region connection
   - Debug session parameters
   - Authentication settings
   - Timeout configurations
 
3. Debug Session Settings
   - Session timeout values
   - Memory allocation
   - Debug level settings
   - Logging configuration
 
4. Tool Integration
   - CEDF integration
   - Trace integration
   - Dump integration
   - Performance monitoring
 
Example Debugger Configuration:
Debugger: CICS Debugger
Connection: CICS1 Region
Session Timeout: 30 minutes
Debug Level: Full
Variable Display: Formatted
Breakpoint Behavior: Stop execution

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Session Management Features:
1. Session Creation
   - New debug session
   - Session parameters
   - Connection establishment
   - Session validation
 
2. Session Control
   - Start debugging
   - Pause debugging
   - Resume debugging
   - Stop debugging
 
3. Session Monitoring
   - Session status
   - Connection health
   - Performance metrics
   - Error tracking
 
4. Session Cleanup
   - Session termination
   - Resource cleanup
   - Connection closure
   - Memory release
 
Example Session Management:
Session ID: DEBUG001
Status: Active
Connection: CICS1
Start Time: 2024-01-15 10:30:00
Program: CUSTINQ
Transaction: CINQ

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Breakpoint Management

Breakpoint management in CICS debugging involves setting, managing, and controlling breakpoints in CICS programs. It includes conditional breakpoints, breakpoint groups, breakpoint persistence, and advanced breakpoint features for effective debugging.

Breakpoint Types

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Breakpoint Types:
1. Line Breakpoints
   - Set at specific source lines
   - Program execution stops
   - Variable inspection possible
   - Step execution enabled
 
2. Conditional Breakpoints
   - Condition-based stopping
   - Variable value conditions
   - Expression evaluation
   - Hit count conditions
 
3. Exception Breakpoints
   - Exception-based stopping
   - Error condition triggers
   - Abend handling
   - Error analysis
 
4. Method Breakpoints
   - Entry/exit point stopping
   - Program call monitoring
   - Parameter inspection
   - Return value analysis
 
Example Breakpoint Setup:
Type: Line Breakpoint
Location: CUSTINQ.cbl:125
Condition: CUSTOMER-ID = 'CUST001'
Hit Count: 5
Action: Stop and inspect

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Breakpoint Management Features:
1. Breakpoint Creation
   - Set new breakpoints
   - Configure conditions
   - Set hit counts
   - Define actions
 
2. Breakpoint Control
   - Enable/disable breakpoints
   - Modify breakpoint properties
   - Delete breakpoints
   - Group breakpoints
 
3. Breakpoint Persistence
   - Save breakpoint configurations
   - Load breakpoint settings
   - Share breakpoint definitions
   - Version control integration
 
4. Advanced Features
   - Breakpoint groups
   - Conditional execution
   - Logging breakpoints
   - Performance impact analysis
 
Example Breakpoint Management:
Breakpoint ID: BP001
Status: Enabled
Location: CUSTINQ.cbl:125
Condition: CUSTOMER-ID = 'CUST001'
Hit Count: 5/10
Last Hit: 2024-01-15 11:45:00

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Step-Through Debugging

Step-through debugging in CICS allows developers to execute CICS programs step by step, examining program flow, variable values, and execution state at each step. It includes step over, step into, step out, and continue operations for detailed program analysis.

Step Operations

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Step Operations:
1. Step Over
   - Execute current line
   - Skip subroutine calls
   - Continue to next line
   - Maintain execution flow
 
2. Step Into
   - Enter subroutine calls
   - Execute line by line
   - Follow program flow
   - Detailed execution
 
3. Step Out
   - Complete current routine
   - Return to caller
   - Skip remaining lines
   - Exit current scope
 
4. Continue
   - Resume execution
   - Run until breakpoint
   - Full speed execution
   - Normal program flow
 
Example Step Operations:
Current Line: CUSTINQ.cbl:125
Operation: Step Into
Next Line: CUSTINQ.cbl:126
Variables: CUSTOMER-ID = 'CUST001'
Call Stack: CUSTINQ -> MAIN -> CICS

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Variable Inspection Features:
1. Variable Display
   - Current variable values
   - Variable types
   - Memory addresses
   - Data formats
 
2. Expression Evaluation
   - Evaluate expressions
   - Calculate values
   - Test conditions
   - Debug formulas
 
3. Watch Variables
   - Monitor specific variables
   - Track value changes
   - Set watch conditions
   - Alert on changes
 
4. Call Stack Analysis
   - Call hierarchy display
   - Parameter values
   - Return values
   - Execution context
 
Example Variable Inspection:
Variable: CUSTOMER-ID
Type: PIC X(10)
Value: 'CUST001    '
Address: 0x12345678
Format: Character
Watch: Enabled

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Testing Frameworks Integration

Testing frameworks integration in CICS involves integrating CICS applications with modern testing frameworks, implementing automated testing procedures, creating test suites, and establishing continuous testing processes for CICS application quality assurance.

Testing Integration

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Testing Framework Integration:
1. Unit Testing Frameworks
   - JUnit integration
   - TestNG integration
   - Custom CICS test frameworks
   - Mock object support
 
2. Integration Testing
   - CICS transaction testing
   - Database integration testing
   - File system testing
   - External system testing
 
3. Performance Testing
   - Load testing tools
   - Stress testing frameworks
   - Performance monitoring
   - Benchmarking tools
 
4. Automated Testing
   - Continuous testing
   - Regression testing
   - Smoke testing
   - Acceptance testing
 
Example Testing Integration:
Framework: JUnit 5
Test Type: Unit Testing
Target: CUSTINQ Program
Coverage: 85%
Automation: Enabled

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Continuous Testing Features:
1. Automated Test Execution
   - Scheduled test runs
   - Trigger-based testing
   - Parallel test execution
   - Test result reporting
 
2. Test Environment Management
   - Test data management
   - Environment provisioning
   - Test isolation
   - Environment cleanup
 
3. Quality Gates
   - Test coverage requirements
   - Performance benchmarks
   - Quality metrics
   - Compliance checking
 
4. Test Reporting
   - Test result dashboards
   - Coverage reports
   - Performance reports
   - Trend analysis
 
Example Continuous Testing:
Schedule: Every commit
Environment: Test CICS region
Coverage: Minimum 80%
Performance: < 2 seconds
Quality Gate: Pass all tests

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Summary

Debugging and testing capabilities in CICS Explorer provide comprehensive tools for application development and quality assurance. Through debugger setup, breakpoint management, step-through debugging, and testing frameworks integration, developers can ensure high-quality CICS applications.

Understanding debugging capabilities, debugger configuration, breakpoint management, step-through debugging, and testing frameworks integration is essential for effective CICS application development and comprehensive quality assurance in CICS environments.