CICS COMMAREA - Interface Mapper

Describes the Interface Mapper as it appears in COMMAREA mode for creating service interfaces from a CICS COMMAREA.

The following image shows the Interface Mapper in COMMAREA mode where you define service interfaces from a CICS COMMAREA.

Input Data Area pane

Shows the selected COMMAREA input structure. All fields appearing in this pane are defined as input fields.

Output Data Area pane

Shows the selected COMMAREA output structure. All fields appearing in this pane are defined as output fields.

Interface Fields pane

In the Interface Fields pane, you define the details of each field you want to include in your service interface. Each interface field corresponds to an input or output field shown in one of the Data Area panes. Only the interface fields for the current operation show in this pane.

The most straightforward way to create an interface field from a COMMAREA field is by dragging a field from the either the Input Data Area or Output Data Area pane and dropping it onto the Interface Fields pane. This creates a mapping between the COMMAREA field and the new interface field (see the Mappings pane). From the Interface Fields pane, you can further define the details for that field as it is used by the service interface.

To learn more about interface fields, see Interface Fields.

Mappings pane

The Mappings pane shows how each COMMAREA field is mapped to its corresponding interface field. When you create an interface field using drag and drop, the mappings are added automatically; however, you can also create or edit mappings manually. Mappings are created only at the elementary field level.

Assignments pane

In the Assignments pane, you can assign a value to any COBOL field. The value you specify can be a numeric or non-numeric literal or COBOL field value, or the result of a function using one or more such values. By assigning values to certain fields, you can streamline the service by reducing the amount of information that must be supplied by the user. For complete information on creating assignments, see Assignments.

Work Fields pane

Enables you to create additional non-interface fields for use by the service. See Work Fields for complete information.