International Journal for Research and Development in Engineering (IJRDE) www.ijrde.com Vol.1: Issue.

2, October-November 2012 pp- 11-17

INTERACTIVE GUI IN CICS MAINFRAMES

MOHIT PABARI, VAMSI MANCHI, SWATHI MEERA, RICHA KAUSHAL, IGUDURU MANASA, SWATI KUMARI
(mohit.pabari@tcs.com, vamsi.manchi@tcs.com, swathy.meera@tcs.com, richa.kaushal@tcs.com, manasa.iguduru@tcs.com, swati.kumari2@tcs.com) Tata Consultancy Services, India

ABSTRACT Mainframe, being one of the oldest technologies being used, is seen as one which can serve only as a back-end to applications. An unappealing user interface is by far the most apt reason for this. The GUI can be improved by incorporating Primary Source Learning (PSL). PSL can be defined as an Illustrated Help Menu aimed at assisting a user in learning the various functionalities of an application package. A user friendly application 'help demo' is one thing that help us to deliver great product and attract customers. A help demo is a must for any stamp application, through which we have a control over the way customers interpret our application. In addition to this,we are also able to provide a type of human-computer interface that uses windows that be minimized and maximized, without actually closing the underlying application program in the Mainframe Environment. Additionally we will also

discuss about developing a web application in Mainframe using HTML in CICS. Keywords: Illustrative help, HTML in CICS, Minimize and Close options in Mainframes, Parent and Child window. Introduction: A lot of applications already exist in Mainframes and a lot more are being created each day. Most of these applications provide 'HELP' to the users in the form of documents. Searching through all these documents to find the answer to any problem is a tedious task. The application demonstration continues to play a critical role in the sales process. Unfortunately this great opportunity to convince the prospects of the application goes unrealized for the simple lack of good demonstration techniques. What if we could develop applications that provide interactive and illustrative help to the users? Such a help is called as the Primary Source Learning (PSL).
1.

11

International Journal for Research and Development in Engineering (IJRDE) www.ijrde.com PSL gives the users a better understanding about the application and creates an emotional attachment with the product. What if we could develop applications that provide interactive and illustrative help to the users. In addition to this, wouldn't it be something if we are also able to minimize and maximize screens in the Mainframe Environment. In this paper, we are proposing a solution to implement these features. Additionally we will also discuss about developing a web application in Mainframe using HTML in CICS. Designing the visual composition and temporal behavior of GUI is an important part of software application programming in the area of human-computer interaction. The goal is to enhance the efficiency and ease of use for the underlying logical design of a stored program, a design discipline known as usability. Methods of user-centered design are used to ensure that the visual language introduced in the design is well tailored to the tasks. For such a purpose we have incorporated the GUI features of windows. A major feature of windows is the ability to be manipulated easily and intuitively even by inexperienced users. Vol.1: Issue.2, October-November 2012 pp- 11-17 screen can be irksome. Providing a minimize and close options for individual screens to facilitate easy access to screens is an innovative and effective solution. Access to Mainframe applications through Mainframe environment limits the mobility of the application as it cannot be accessed on the go. Integrating HTML and Mainframes (CICS) is the key to increase the mobility of the application. This not only gives Internet accessibility to the application but also enhances user experience with the help of a better GUI. 2. Algorithm: The Algorithms for implementing PSL, Minimize and Close, HTML in CICS are described below along with screen-shots.
2.1

Primary Source Learning

(Help

Demo) Arrange the contents of a map (Base 1. Map) so as to have space to display various help tips. 2. Create separate maps for each help tip. Send the First/Next Help-tip initially 3. with ERASE option. 4. Next, send the Base Map without ERASE i.e. displaying Map-on-Map Give the functionalities to traverse 5. back and forth among various Help tips by repeating Steps 3 and 4. Procedure of PSL with Screen-shots: We'll explain the above algorithm with the help of an addition application.

In Mainframe environment, handling multiple screens at the same time is always a hurdle. Users can always traverse between screens in an application. But if one requires to view a particular screen multiple times, always traversing back and forth to that

12

International Journal for Research and Development in Engineering (IJRDE) www.ijrde.com In this the user has the option of viewing the demo as and when required. Once the demo starts, he can press F8 and F7 keys to toggle between various steps. A screen screen-shot of the first hint is shown below. Vol.1: Issue.2, October-November 2012 pp- 11-17 November On pressing F8, the next step is displayed. This is shown in the next screen-shot. On screen pressing F9, the user is exited from the demo and taken to the application.

This is just a small example with which PSL can be explained easily. There are a number of real life scenarios where giving this Illustrated and Interactive help demo creates a huge difference to the user.

We have also implemented this concept in a Credit Card application. While paying the monthly bill online, the user has an option of viewing a demo on how to pay the bill. This pa makes the application very easy to work with and ensures that the chance of any problem or confusion is minimized.

13

International Journal for Research and Development in Engineering (IJRDE) www.ijrde.com Vol.1: Issue.2, October-November 2012 pp- 11-17 November

14

International Journal for Research and Development in Engineering (IJRDE) www.ijrde.com Vol.1: Issue.2, October-November 2012 pp- 11-17 November 5. If the cursor is on the close button, only the base map is shown without the tab at the bottom. Procedure of Minimize and Close with Screen-shots: Lets see the above algorithm with the help s of an online registration application. Here we can see the online registration form with terms and conditions being displayed separately.

2.2

Minimize and Close

1. Add a minimize and Close buttons on the top right corner of the required map. 2. To minimize and maximize screens, add tabs of each screen at the bottom. 3. When the cursor is on the minimize button and enter is pressed, only the base map is displayed with the tab at th bottom. the 4. When the cursor is on the tab and enters is pressed, if the screen is minimized, it gets maximized and is displayed on the base map n and vice versa. (As in Windows)

15

International Journal for Research and Development in Engineering (IJRDE) www.ijrde.com Vol.1: Issue.2, October-November 2012 pp- 11-17 November

Once minimized, only the tab at the bottom is shown. For this, the map containing the registration form is sent with ERASE.

When the tab is clicked again the screen is maximized and the previous screen is shown. Here both the maps are sent on a

16

International Journal for Research and Development in Engineering (IJRDE) www.ijrde.com Map-on-Map fashion. On clicking the close button the screen is closed and the tab disappears
3.

Vol.1: Issue.2, October-November 2012 pp- 11-17 [3] Designing and programming CICS application. [4] TCS Documents on PSL.

CONCLUSION:

Every user when accessing an application for the first time needs some time and help to get a feel of the application and get comfortable with it. Implementing PSL reduces that time and gives the user a feel that the application is interacting with the user personally and teaching him various functionalities. At the same time, if the user also has the option to minimize and revisit important screens in the mainframe environment without actually disturbing the current screen he is working on, it makes the application extremely easy to work with. The attitude and intention of a customer towards an application are affected by the ease of use, usefulness, and enjoyment thus by implementing these factors in an application it increases the customer satisfaction and makes him a repeat customer.

4.

REFERENCE:

[1] Designing and programming CICS application. [2] CICS transaction server for z/OS, Version 4.2 - IBM

17