1.1 CICS Web Interface (CICS version 4)

The initial version of the CICS Web Interface, shipped with CICS version 4, provides a mechanism to link to CICS programs from a web browser. Information is passed to the program in a COMMAREA. 

The commarea can be intercepted by

• a decode function prior to invoking the program
• an encode function after invoking the program.

Given that legacy application programs will not be able to process internet protocol information, the decode and encode functions can be used to convert browser information to a format expected by the application program.

Information flows through the CICS Web Interface as follows:

1. A request arrives in TCP/IP for MVS from a web browser.
2. The request is passed to CICS.
3. The request headers are translated from ASCII to EBCDIC.
4. The required program name is parsed from the request.
5. If required, the user data in the request is translated to EBCDIC.
6. An optional "Decode" function can be used to convert incoming web browser data into a format that a legacy application program can process.
7. The required program is invoked using an EXEC CICS LINK call.
8. The CICS program processes the request, and returns output in the communication area.
9. An optional "Encode" function can be invoked to translate the communications area from a legacy program into a format that the web browser can process.
10. If requested, the response will be converted to ASCII.
11. The response is sent back to the web browser.

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