What is CICS ASKTIME command used for?

CICS ASKTIME retrieves the current system time and date from CICS, returning an absolute time value in YYYYDDDHHMMSSHHH format.

How do I format the time returned by CICS ASKTIME?

Use the CICS FORMATTIME command to convert the absolute time value returned by ASKTIME into a readable date and time format.

What is the format of the ABSTIME value?

The ABSTIME value is 15 bytes in format YYYYDDDHHMMSSHHH: 4-digit year, 3-digit day of year, 2-digit hour, minute, second, and 3-digit hundredths of second.

How do I handle errors with CICS ASKTIME?

Always check the RESP response code. Common errors include DFHRESP(INVREQ) for invalid requests and DFHRESP(LENGERR) for data area length errors.

CICS ASKTIME - System Time Retrieval

CICS ASKTIME retrieves the current system time and date from CICS. It enables programs to get the current system time, manage time-based operations, and handle time-based processing in CICS applications.

What is CICS ASKTIME?

CICS ASKTIME is a command that allows programs to retrieve the current system time and date from CICS. It provides time retrieval capabilities, system time access, and time-based processing for CICS applications.

Command Syntax

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EXEC CICS ASKTIME
    [ABSTIME(data-area)]
    [RESP(response-code)]
END-EXEC

Parameters

Optional Parameters

ABSTIME(data-area) - Data area to receive the absolute time value
RESP(response-code) - Response code variable

Time Format

The ABSTIME value returned is in the format:

Format: YYYYDDDHHMMSSHHH (15 bytes)
YYYY: 4-digit year
DDD: 3-digit day of year (001-366)
HH: 2-digit hour (00-23)
MM: 2-digit minute (00-59)
SS: 2-digit second (00-59)
HHH: 3-digit hundredths of second (000-999)

Programming Examples

Basic Time Retrieval

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WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01  CURRENT-TIME.
    05  CT-YEAR           PIC 9(4).
    05  CT-DAY            PIC 9(3).
    05  CT-HOUR           PIC 9(2).
    05  CT-MINUTE         PIC 9(2).
    05  CT-SECOND         PIC 9(2).
    05  CT-HUNDREDTHS     PIC 9(3).
 
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    EXEC CICS ASKTIME
        ABSTIME(CURRENT-TIME)
        RESP(RESPONSE-CODE)
    END-EXEC.
    
    IF RESPONSE-CODE = DFHRESP(NORMAL)
        DISPLAY 'Current time retrieved successfully'
        DISPLAY 'Year: ' CT-YEAR
        DISPLAY 'Day: ' CT-DAY
        DISPLAY 'Time: ' CT-HOUR ':' CT-MINUTE ':' CT-SECOND
    ELSE
        DISPLAY 'Error retrieving time: ' RESPONSE-CODE
    END-IF.

Error Handling

Common Response Codes

DFHRESP(NORMAL) - Time retrieved successfully
DFHRESP(INVREQ) - Invalid request or parameter
DFHRESP(LENGERR) - Data area length error

Performance Considerations

Efficiency

• Lightweight Operation - ASKTIME is a lightweight command with minimal performance impact
• Minimal Overhead - Consider caching time values if used frequently
• Resource Usage - Use appropriate data area size to avoid truncation

Best Practices

• Error Handling - Always check the response code for error handling
• Time Formatting - Use FORMATTIME command to convert absolute time to readable format
• Time Zone Awareness - Consider time zone differences when displaying time to users

Explain It Like I'm 5 Years Old

Think of CICS ASKTIME like asking a special clock what time it is:

• Special Clock: "What time is it?" - ASKTIME command
• Clock Answer: "It's 3:30 PM on January 15th" - Current time
• Write It Down: "Put the time in your notebook" - ABSTIME data area
• Use the Time: "Now you know what time it is" - Process time data

Exercises

Exercise 1: Basic Time Retrieval

Create a program that retrieves the current time and displays it in a readable format.

Exercise 2: Time-based Processing

Write a program that uses ASKTIME for timestamping operations and logging.

Exercise 3: Error Handling

Implement comprehensive error handling for ASKTIME command failures.