A PROFILE resource specifies options that control the interactions between transactions and terminals or logical units. The PROFILE is a means of standardizing the use of such options as screen size and printer compatibility, and the use of such functions as message journaling and the node error program.
When installed in CICS, the information from the PROFILE definition creates an entry in the profile table. This entry is later used by each transaction that references that PROFILE.
There are CICS-supplied PROFILE definitions suitable for most purposes. Each TRANSACTION definition names the PROFILE to be used. If you do not specify a PROFILE, the transaction uses the PROFILE supplied for using a terminal in a standard way.
With CICS intercommunication facilities (for example, function shipping), a PROFILE is needed for the communication between the transaction and the session. The attributes of the CICS-supplied profiles are shown in PROFILE definitions in group DFHISC. The CICS Intercommunication Guide gives further information about the CICS-supplied PROFILEs, and tells you about defining your own profiles.