What parameters can be configured for processes?

Process parameters include PROCID (required), DESCRIPTION (optional), PRIORITY (execution priority), MEMORY (memory allocation size), and RESP (response code variable).

How do I handle errors with CICS DEFINE PROCESS?

Always check the response code and implement appropriate error handling, including validation of duplicate processes, proper handling of parameter errors, and resource cleanup on definition failures.

What is the purpose of process definition?

Process definition establishes the configuration and parameters for processes, sets execution priorities, defines memory allocation, and prepares processes for execution in CICS applications.

When should I use CICS DEFINE PROCESS?

Use this command when you need to define new processes, configure process parameters, set up process definitions, or prepare processes for execution in CICS applications.

CICS DEFINE PROCESS - Process Definition and Configuration

Q: What is CICS DEFINE PROCESS command used for?

CICS DEFINE PROCESS is used to define processes, configure process parameters, and set up process definitions in CICS applications for process management and execution.

CICS DEFINE PROCESS provides process definition and configuration capabilities in CICS environments. It enables programs to define processes, configure process parameters, and set up process definitions for CICS applications.

What is CICS DEFINE PROCESS?

CICS DEFINE PROCESS is a command that allows programs to define processes, configure process parameters, and set up process definitions in CICS environments. It provides process definition capabilities, parameter configuration, and process setup for CICS applications.

Command Syntax

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EXEC CICS DEFINE PROCESS
    PROCID(process-id)
    [DESCRIPTION(description-text)]
    [PRIORITY(priority-value)]
    [MEMORY(memory-size)]
    [RESP(response-code)]
END-EXEC

Parameters

Required Parameters

PROCID - Unique identifier for the process

Optional Parameters

DESCRIPTION - Descriptive text for the process
PRIORITY - Priority level for process execution
MEMORY - Memory allocation size for the process
RESP - Response code variable

Process Types

Application Processes

Processes that run application programs

• BUSINESS PROCESSES - Processes that handle business logic and operations
• DATA PROCESSES - Processes that process and manipulate data
• USER PROCESSES - Processes that handle user interactions
• WORKFLOW PROCESSES - Processes that manage business workflows

System Processes

Processes that manage system operations

• MONITORING PROCESSES - Processes that monitor system performance
• MAINTENANCE PROCESSES - Processes that perform system maintenance
• SCHEDULING PROCESSES - Processes that schedule other operations
• RECOVERY PROCESSES - Processes that handle system recovery

Communication Processes

Processes that handle communication operations

• NETWORK PROCESSES - Processes that manage network communications
• MESSAGE PROCESSES - Processes that handle message processing
• PROTOCOL PROCESSES - Processes that manage communication protocols
• SESSION PROCESSES - Processes that manage communication sessions

Resource Processes

Processes that manage system resources

• MEMORY PROCESSES - Processes that manage memory allocation
• STORAGE PROCESSES - Processes that manage storage operations
• FILE PROCESSES - Processes that handle file operations
• DATABASE PROCESSES - Processes that manage database access

Programming Examples

Basic Process Definition

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. DEFINE01.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  PROCESS-ID      PIC X(8) VALUE 'PROC001'.
       01  DESCRIPTION     PIC X(50) VALUE 'Data Processing Application'.
       01  PRIORITY         PIC 9(2) VALUE 5.
       01  MEMORY-SIZE     PIC 9(6) VALUE 102400.
       01  RESPONSE-CODE   PIC S9(8) COMP.
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           EXEC CICS DEFINE PROCESS
               PROCID(PROCESS-ID)
               DESCRIPTION(DESCRIPTION)
               PRIORITY(PRIORITY)
               MEMORY(MEMORY-SIZE)
               RESP(RESPONSE-CODE)
           END-EXEC
           
           IF RESPONSE-CODE = DFHRESP(NORMAL)
               DISPLAY 'Process defined successfully'
           ELSE
               DISPLAY 'Failed to define process'
           END-IF
           
           EXEC CICS RETURN END-EXEC.

High Priority Process Definition

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. DEFINE02.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  PROCESS-ID      PIC X(8) VALUE 'PROC002'.
       01  DESCRIPTION     PIC X(50) VALUE 'Critical System Process'.
       01  PRIORITY         PIC 9(2) VALUE 1.
       01  MEMORY-SIZE     PIC 9(6) VALUE 204800.
       01  RESPONSE-CODE   PIC S9(8) COMP.
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           EXEC CICS DEFINE PROCESS
               PROCID(PROCESS-ID)
               DESCRIPTION(DESCRIPTION)
               PRIORITY(PRIORITY)
               MEMORY(MEMORY-SIZE)
               RESP(RESPONSE-CODE)
           END-EXEC
           
           IF RESPONSE-CODE = DFHRESP(NORMAL)
               DISPLAY 'High priority process defined'
               DISPLAY 'Process ID: ' PROCESS-ID
               DISPLAY 'Priority: ' PRIORITY
               DISPLAY 'Memory: ' MEMORY-SIZE
           ELSE
               DISPLAY 'Failed to define high priority process'
           END-IF
           
           EXEC CICS RETURN END-EXEC.

Error Handling with Process Definition

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. DEFINE03.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  PROCESS-ID      PIC X(8) VALUE 'PROC003'.
       01  DESCRIPTION     PIC X(50) VALUE 'Background Processing Task'.
       01  PRIORITY         PIC 9(2) VALUE 8.
       01  MEMORY-SIZE     PIC 9(6) VALUE 51200.
       01  RESPONSE-CODE   PIC S9(8) COMP.
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           EXEC CICS DEFINE PROCESS
               PROCID(PROCESS-ID)
               DESCRIPTION(DESCRIPTION)
               PRIORITY(PRIORITY)
               MEMORY(MEMORY-SIZE)
               RESP(RESPONSE-CODE)
           END-EXEC
           
           EVALUATE RESPONSE-CODE
               WHEN DFHRESP(NORMAL)
                   DISPLAY 'Process defined successfully'
                   DISPLAY 'Process ID: ' PROCESS-ID
               WHEN DFHRESP(DUPRES)
                   DISPLAY 'Process already exists'
               WHEN DFHRESP(INVREQ)
                   DISPLAY 'Invalid definition request'
               WHEN DFHRESP(PROCESSERR)
                   DISPLAY 'Process-specific error occurred'
               WHEN DFHRESP(PARAMERR)
                   DISPLAY 'Parameter error in definition'
               WHEN OTHER
                   DISPLAY 'Unexpected error occurred'
           END-EVALUATE
           
           EXEC CICS RETURN END-EXEC.

Process Configuration

Priority Settings

• Critical Priority (1-2) - Essential processes that require immediate execution
• High Priority (3-4) - Important processes with high execution priority
• Normal Priority (5-6) - Standard processes with normal execution priority
• Low Priority (7-10) - Background processes that can be delayed

Memory Configuration

• Small Memory (1-64KB) - Lightweight processes with minimal memory needs
• Medium Memory (65-512KB) - Standard processes with moderate memory requirements
• Large Memory (513KB-2MB) - Complex processes with significant memory needs
• Dynamic Memory - Processes that allocate memory as needed

Execution Configuration

• Immediate Execution - Processes that start immediately upon definition
• Scheduled Execution - Processes that start at scheduled times
• Triggered Execution - Processes that start when triggered by events
• Manual Execution - Processes that start only when manually initiated

Resource Configuration

• CPU Allocation - Specify CPU usage requirements and limits
• I/O Allocation - Define input/output resource allocation
• Network Allocation - Specify network resource requirements
• Storage Allocation - Define storage resource allocation needs

Error Handling

Common Response Codes

DFHRESP(NORMAL) - Process defined successfully
DFHRESP(DUPRES) - Process already exists
DFHRESP(INVREQ) - Invalid definition request
DFHRESP(PROCESSERR) - Process-specific error
DFHRESP(PARAMERR) - Parameter error in definition
DFHRESP(DEFINEERR) - Definition-specific error

Performance Considerations

Definition Efficiency

• Optimize process parameters - Use appropriate values for priority and memory
• Minimize definition overhead - Reduce the computational cost of process definitions
• Use efficient definition patterns - Implement definition strategies that minimize resource usage
• Monitor definition performance - Track the performance impact of definition operations

Resource Impact

• Monitor resource usage - Track how definition operations consume system resources
• Optimize resource allocation - Ensure efficient allocation of resources for definitions
• Manage resource cleanup - Properly release resources after definition operations
• Track resource utilization - Monitor the overall resource consumption patterns

Best Practices

Process Definition Best Practices

• Always check response codes
• Use appropriate definition parameters
• Implement proper error handling
• Set realistic memory allocations
• Use meaningful process descriptions
• Optimize definition operations
• Clean up resources properly

Explain It Like I'm 5 Years Old

Think of CICS DEFINE PROCESS like setting up a new worker:

• Worker Name: "What to call your worker" - The process ID
• Job Description: "What the worker does" - The description
• Importance: "How important is this worker?" - The priority
• Workspace: "How much space does the worker need?" - The memory
• Setup: "Getting everything ready" - Defining the process

Exercises

Exercise 1: Basic Process Definition

Create a program that defines a basic process with standard parameters.

Exercise 2: Priority Configuration

Write a program that defines processes with different priority levels.

Exercise 3: Error Handling

Implement comprehensive error handling for process definition failures and parameter errors.

CICS DEFINE PROCESS - Process Definition and Configuration

What is CICS DEFINE PROCESS?

Command Syntax

Parameters

Required Parameters

Optional Parameters

Process Types

Application Processes

System Processes

Communication Processes

Resource Processes

Programming Examples

Basic Process Definition

High Priority Process Definition

Error Handling with Process Definition

Process Configuration

Priority Settings

Memory Configuration

Execution Configuration

Resource Configuration

Error Handling

Common Response Codes

Performance Considerations

Definition Efficiency

Resource Impact

Best Practices

Process Definition Best Practices

Explain It Like I'm 5 Years Old

Exercises

Exercise 1: Basic Process Definition

Exercise 2: Priority Configuration

Exercise 3: Error Handling

Related Concepts

Process Management

Process Configuration

Resource Management

Memory Management

Error Handling

Related Pages