In CICS, you can retrieve data either from files or DB2. Files are two types – VSAM and BDAM. Once you define the files to CICS, the next task is retrieve records. This you can do by using CICS commands in application program(For instance, COBOL/PLI programs).
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How do I view VSAM files in CICS?
In CICS, you can retrieve data either from files or DB2. Files are two types – VSAM and BDAM. Once you define the files to CICS, the next task is retrieve records. This you can do by using CICS commands in application program(For instance, COBOL/PLI programs).

How do you open a file in CICS?
If you specify that you want CICS to open the file after startup, and if the file status is ENABLED or DISABLED, the CICS file utility transaction CSFU opens the file. (CSFU does not open files that are: defined as UNENABLED the status of these remains CLOSED, UNENABLED.)
How do you create a new file in CICS?
You can define a data set to CICS by specifying the DSNAME and DISP parameters when you define the file. You can set the data set name dynamically in an installed file definition by using the main terminal CEMT command.

How do I create a VSAM file in CICS?
Procedure
- Locate the JCL to create the VSAM data sets.
- Modify the JCL and access method services commands.
- Run both jobs to create and populate the data sets.
- Use the CICS Explorer® to create a FILE definition for the catalog file.
- Use the CICS Explorer to create a FILE definition for the configuration file.
How do I browse VSAM files?
You cannot browse the contents of the vsam file using 3.4. You need an utility to browse it. ex: DITTO , FILE-AID. However you can copy the vsam cluster using IDCAMS REPRO , IEBGENER or Sort utlity to a sequential file and browse the seq file.
How do I open a VSAM file?
Loading a VSAM data set with access method services: You can load or update a VSAM data set by using the access method services REPRO command. Use REPRO whenever possible….To initially load a VSAM file:
- Open the file.
- Use sequential processing ( ACCESS IS SEQUENTIAL ).
- Use WRITE to add a record to the file.
Can we use flat files in CICS?
If it is just a simple flat file, copy it into a predefined ESDS at the end of the job that creates it and trigger your CICS task read it from there, your debugging life will be much easier and your CICS SysProgs will not hate you and curse your name forever.
What is CICS file?
CICS file control provides access to data sets that are managed by either the Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) or the basic direct-access method (BDAM). CICS file control provides services to read, update, add and browse data in VSAM and BDAM data sets and delete data from VSAM data sets.
Can we use PS file in CICS?
CICS uses PS datasets in the form of Extrapartition Transient Data Queue(TDQ). While defining a TDQ, we should tell CICS that, this PS file is used as an input file or output file, not both. If you want to use this PS as input and output mode, you must define 2 TDQs – one for input and one for output.
How do I create a VSAM file?
What are VSAM files?
VSAM is a file storage access method used in MVS, ZOS and OS/390 operating systems. It was introduced by IBM in 1970’s. It is a high performance access method used to organize data in form of files in Mainframes. VSAM is used by COBOL and CICS in Mainframes to store and retrieve data.
How do I open VSAM in edit mode?
Follow these steps:
- Type I on the command line of the Edit Data Set screen. A pop-up window displays requesting the inserted record length.
- Specify the new record length.
- Press Enter.
- Update the key value.
- Modify the record length if necessary by using the V line command.