Service material for CICS® Transaction Server for z/OS® is distributed as APAR fixes and PTFs. 4Both types of change are called SYSMODs (SYStem MODifications).
Using SMP/E control statements, you can process SYSMODs in three stages:
At this point you can test the modified system.
When you are dealing with APAR fixes, you should APPLY the SYSMOD, but not accept it. If you later obtain a PTF that solves the problem in a different way, you may be asked to RESTORE (that is, remove) the APAR fix and APPLY the PTF instead.
When you are dealing with PTFs, you should APPLY the SYSMOD, then test it. Afterwards you can ACCEPT it.
For background information about SMP/E operations, see the System Modification Program Extended: General Information manual. For more detailed information, see the System Modification Program Extended: Reference manual.