Using the FM/IMS interface

This section provides instructions on how to navigate to panels within FM/IMS and how to specify common panel information. It also explains how to convert values from decimal to hexadecimal (and vice versa), so that you can enter those values into panels using the appropriate format.

The FM/IMS interface is based upon the ISPF model. Tasks are performed by processing a function, together with its applicable parameters. Panels provide a user-friendly way of selecting a function and supplying the parameter information.

In many cases, FM/IMS provides a series of panels in which you must supply information and choose options before the selected function is processed. This series of panels, known as a dialog, starts with an Entry panel. Different subsequent panels are presented, depending upon the information supplied in each panel, and there can be many different paths through the dialog to the end result. For example, the Edit dialog starts with the Edit Entry panel, and then presents a number of different panels depending on:
  • Whether or not you have fully qualified your data sets
  • Whether you have selected to use a Static or Dynamic PSB
  • Whether you have chosen to access via BMP or DL/I mode
FM/IMS finally displays the IMS Data panel (the final destination of the Edit dialog).

Most panels are processed in foreground mode. In foreground mode, the selected options are processed immediately and any results are returned to you on screen or directed to print outputs, as dictated by your settings. For all Utility functions, JCL is generated from the panel information, and then presented to you for editing. The exception to the rule is the Print Audit Trail function where the generation of JCL is optional. For the Update Template, View and Criteria utilities, the generation of JCL is also optional. You can modify this code and submit it to a processing queue. The result can then either be displayed via SDSF or routed to a printer.

The tasks described in this section are: