VM Enhancements
 

XSF is a facility that can provide any authorized CMS user with a full-screen list of the files in any z/VM reader, print, or punch queue. From this display, the user can examine, purge, or show the tag of a file simply by pressing a PF key. Even open files can be viewed, enabling the review of active console logs. File attributes such as class or form can be changed by overtyping the display. The display can be sorted on any column to facilitate quick identification of large files, open files, old files, etc. Commands are provided to display files directly from the CMS or XEDIT command line. Files are displayed using XEDIT and the user's own profile. A security exit, written in Rexx, can be easily tailored to meet installation requirements. For example, class G users can be allowed to display the files in any queue, but might be limited to changing or purging only their own files and viewing only their own files and OPERATOR console logs.

VSPO is a program that runs under GCS on the VTAM virtual machine or any other machine in the same GCS group. It acts as a Secondary Program Operator, allowing users of other virtual machines to pass commands to VTAM via SMSG and receive responses back via MSGNOH. During initialization, VSPO reads a list of authorized users from an ordinary CMS file. Any user on the list can issue a VTAM VARY, DISPLAY, or MODIFY command by entering 'SMSG VTAM cmd' where 'cmd' is the VTAM command. The supplied VSPO EXEC can be used to automatically insert 'NET,' into the command and issue the SMSG. For example, 'VSPO D PENDING' can be entered to determine pending actions. The list of authorized users can be updated without a regen of VSPO, and without bringing VTAM down. VSPO can be used concurrently by several users; each will receive responses to only those commands that he or she issued.

RexicoM provides Rexx execs with a simple but powerful means of using IUCV. The most difficult thing about writing client-server applications for CMS is managing the communication between virtual machines. The most efficient means of doing this is with IUCV (Inter-User Communication Vehicle), but this usually requires an intimate knowledge of assembler language and a lot of intricate coding.

With RexicoM, you can write client-server applications in Rexx. RexicoM provides Rexx execs with a simple but powerful means of using IUCV. It insulates the Rexx program developer from IUCV's complexities by providing high-level subcommands that function synchronously, thus making inter-user communication easy. Files, individual messages and multiple messages (from stem variables) of up to 65,535 bytes in length can be sent with a single subcommand. RexicoM's efficient blocking and queuing mechanisms make it ideal for use in client-server applications. A sample application (included in the package) demonstrates RexicoM's ease of operation, and can be used as a framework for your own applications.

For further information, contact sales@electrumsoftware.com.au

z/VM and VTAM are trademarks of the IBM Corporation.

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