About This Book

This book describes how to develop programs that use IBM® Communications Server for Windows® and IBM® Personal Communications for Windows®.

IBM® Communications Server for Windows® (referred to as Communications Server) is a communications services platform. This platform provides a wide range of services for workstations that communicate with host computers and with other workstations. Communications Server users can choose from among a variety of remote connectivity options.

IBM® Personal Communications for Windows® (referred to as Personal Communications) is a full-function emulator. In addition to host terminal emulation, it provides these useful features:
  • File transfer
  • Dynamic configuration
  • An easy-to-use graphical interface
  • APIs for SNA-based client applications
  • An API allowing TCP/IP-based applications to communicate over an SNA-based network.

While in most instances, developing programs for Personal Communications and Communications Server is very similar in that they each support many of the same verbs, there are some differences. These differences are denoted through the use of icons. See Icons for specific details. Throughout this book, the Program refers to both Personal Communications and Communications Server. When only the Personal Communications program or only the Communications Server program applies, then that specific program name is used.

In this book, Windows refers to Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® Server 2008, and Windows® Server 2012. Throughout this book, workstation refers to all supported personal computers. When only one model or architecture of the personal computer is referred to, only that type is specified.