Controlling CICS operation

While CICS® is running, you can control its operation by changing CICS system definitions and by deleting and installing resource definitions.

Note:
You cannot change CICS system definition values set by some system initialization parameters during CICS startup. To change such values, you must specify the new values on system initialization parameters, and restart CICS with those changed system initialization parameters.

CICS supplies a number of transactions that you can use to control CICS and its resources while it is running. It also supplies a variety of utility programs, some of which you can use to help with system management.

Controlling CICS with CICSPlex SM

If you are running your CICS regions in a CICSplex, you can use CICSPlex® System Manager functions to control the operation of CICS; that is to:

For information, see CICSPlex System Manager Concepts and Planning, SC34-6459.

CICS-supplied transactions

CICS supplies a number of transactions that you can use to control CICS and its resources while it is running. CICS-supplied transactions have identification codes that start with the letter C and are four characters long.

The most significant transactions for CICS operation are CEMT, CEST, and CEDA. The following topics outline these three transactions. For information about these and other CICS transactions, see CICS Supplied Transactions.

CEMT

CEMT is the master terminal transaction. You can use the CEMT transaction to view the values of CICS system definitions and to change such definitions while CICS is running. You can also use CEMT to manage databases, in particular for the dynamic allocation and deallocation of data sets.

With CEMT, you can:

To view the values of CICS system definitions, use the CEMT INQUIRE command.

To change the values of system definitions, or to change CICS operation, use the CEMT SET, CEMT PERFORM, or CEMT DISCARD command.

Note:
CEMT is a powerful tool, and its use can significantly affect your system and its users. Therefore, you should give the transaction adequate security protection in a production CICS region.

CEST

CEST is the supervisor terminal transaction. It provides a subset of the CEMT function. The CEST INQUIRE and SET commands enable you to inquire about and alter some of the system values of control units, lines, netnames, tasks, and terminals.

CEDA

You can use the CEDA transaction to:

on the CSD that your CICS region is using. You can also use the CEDA transaction to install resource definitions into a running CICS region.

Similarly, you can use the CEDB transaction to view, change, or create resource definitions, and can use the CEDC transaction to view resource definitions.

For information about the CEDA, CEDB, and CEDC transactions, see the CICS Resource Definition Guide.

CICS-supplied utility programs

CICS supplies a number of utility programs to help you manage your system. These utility programs are described in The CICS utility programs.

Related concepts
Starting up CICS
Shutting down CICS
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