CICS

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

Hi Ezriel,

Great questions thanks!

1) Provided with the YAML file is a Resource Overrides JSON schema which can be used to validate the input YAML file in a suitable editor. This can also be used to validate the input YAML file during any automated build stages. This currently only covers the Resource Overrides specific syntax and does not cover any CICS resource attribute validation. We may look to expand on that validation in the future. There is an expectation that any change to CICS input would be tested before committing directly to a production region to avoid outages.

Please consider raising an RFE if you'd like to see the JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation. 

2) This is definitely something we will look at and consider as part of the overall experience. Please consider raising an RFE for this capability.

3) No, to reload the YAML file, the CICS region must be restarted.

4) Yes, there are several messages produced at install time for Resource Overrides processing in MSGUSR. This includes DFHCA4970 which identifies the resource and attribute that is being overridden and includes the new attribute value after the override has been applied.

For example:
DFHCA4970 I date time applid Override value 'YES' was applied to CEDF attribute of PROGRAM 'TEST'.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGMCP_6.1.0/reference-messages/cics-messages/DFHCA/DFHCA4970I.html

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu January 28, 2021 09:24 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

Hi Chris,

I like this feature, I can see lots of uses for it. I'm wondering why you've decided to force the overrides file to be in dfhconfig/recourceoverrides rather than allowing us to specify an absolute path in the toggle file? 

Also I'd like to see a message in the JESMSGLG saying that overrides have been applied and to look for the DFHAM4970 messages. Would that be possible?

Cheers
Graham

------------------------------
Graham Clark
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 06:36 AM
From: Christopher Hodgins
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Ezriel,

Great questions thanks!

1) Provided with the YAML file is a Resource Overrides JSON schema which can be used to validate the input YAML file in a suitable editor. This can also be used to validate the input YAML file during any automated build stages. This currently only covers the Resource Overrides specific syntax and does not cover any CICS resource attribute validation. We may look to expand on that validation in the future. There is an expectation that any change to CICS input would be tested before committing directly to a production region to avoid outages.

Please consider raising an RFE if you'd like to see the JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation. 

2) This is definitely something we will look at and consider as part of the overall experience. Please consider raising an RFE for this capability.

3) No, to reload the YAML file, the CICS region must be restarted.

4) Yes, there are several messages produced at install time for Resource Overrides processing in MSGUSR. This includes DFHCA4970 which identifies the resource and attribute that is being overridden and includes the new attribute value after the override has been applied.

For example:
DFHCA4970 I date time applid Override value 'YES' was applied to CEDF attribute of PROGRAM 'TEST'.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGMCP_6.1.0/reference-messages/cics-messages/DFHCA/DFHCA4970I.html

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins

Original Message:
Sent: Thu January 28, 2021 09:24 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

Hi Graham,

We're glad you think this feature has value to you and we'd love to hear what scenarios you might be considering using it for. If you would be happy to share that with us you can either reply to this post or feel free to reply to me privately.

The resource overrides directory location is determined by the USSCONFIG directory of your CICS region and that location can be configured with the CICS USSCONFIG system initialisation parameter.  The USSCONFIG location was chosen as it is standard location for all z/OS Unix configuration files for CICS TS. The name of the resource overrides file within the resource overrides directory is also user-defined and declared to CICS via the com.ibm.cics.resourceoverrides.file feature toggle. There are more details on setting the feature toggle here:
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSGMCP_6.1.0/configuring/resources/enabling-resource-overrides.html

I'd suggest you raise an RFE against CICS for your suggestion of a JESMSGLG message and we can definitely consider it.

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 12:03 PM
From: Graham Clark
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Chris,

I like this feature, I can see lots of uses for it. I'm wondering why you've decided to force the overrides file to be in dfhconfig/recourceoverrides rather than allowing us to specify an absolute path in the toggle file? 

Also I'd like to see a message in the JESMSGLG saying that overrides have been applied and to look for the DFHAM4970 messages. Would that be possible?

Cheers
Graham

------------------------------
Graham Clark

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 06:36 AM
From: Christopher Hodgins
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Ezriel,

Great questions thanks!

1) Provided with the YAML file is a Resource Overrides JSON schema which can be used to validate the input YAML file in a suitable editor. This can also be used to validate the input YAML file during any automated build stages. This currently only covers the Resource Overrides specific syntax and does not cover any CICS resource attribute validation. We may look to expand on that validation in the future. There is an expectation that any change to CICS input would be tested before committing directly to a production region to avoid outages.

Please consider raising an RFE if you'd like to see the JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation. 

2) This is definitely something we will look at and consider as part of the overall experience. Please consider raising an RFE for this capability.

3) No, to reload the YAML file, the CICS region must be restarted.

4) Yes, there are several messages produced at install time for Resource Overrides processing in MSGUSR. This includes DFHCA4970 which identifies the resource and attribute that is being overridden and includes the new attribute value after the override has been applied.

For example:
DFHCA4970 I date time applid Override value 'YES' was applied to CEDF attribute of PROGRAM 'TEST'.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGMCP_6.1.0/reference-messages/cics-messages/DFHCA/DFHCA4970I.html

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins

Original Message:
Sent: Thu January 28, 2021 09:24 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

Hi Graham,
I see that Chris has already responded - I was intrigued as to the reason you may want to store the file outside of ussconfig / dfhconfig?

We know a number of clients share USSCONFIG amongst numerous CICS regions. I wondered if you had a sharing concern?

The feature toggles capability can apply to all regions using the same USSCONFIG... or it could be scoped to a particular CICS region. So, by having a region-specific feature toggle, you can name the resource override file that you want for only that CICS region. Hopefully alleviating any sharing concerns.

------------------------------
Pradeep Gohil
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 12:03 PM
From: Graham Clark
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Chris,

I like this feature, I can see lots of uses for it. I'm wondering why you've decided to force the overrides file to be in dfhconfig/recourceoverrides rather than allowing us to specify an absolute path in the toggle file? 

Also I'd like to see a message in the JESMSGLG saying that overrides have been applied and to look for the DFHAM4970 messages. Would that be possible?

Cheers
Graham

------------------------------
Graham Clark

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 06:36 AM
From: Christopher Hodgins
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Ezriel,

Great questions thanks!

1) Provided with the YAML file is a Resource Overrides JSON schema which can be used to validate the input YAML file in a suitable editor. This can also be used to validate the input YAML file during any automated build stages. This currently only covers the Resource Overrides specific syntax and does not cover any CICS resource attribute validation. We may look to expand on that validation in the future. There is an expectation that any change to CICS input would be tested before committing directly to a production region to avoid outages.

Please consider raising an RFE if you'd like to see the JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation. 

2) This is definitely something we will look at and consider as part of the overall experience. Please consider raising an RFE for this capability.

3) No, to reload the YAML file, the CICS region must be restarted.

4) Yes, there are several messages produced at install time for Resource Overrides processing in MSGUSR. This includes DFHCA4970 which identifies the resource and attribute that is being overridden and includes the new attribute value after the override has been applied.

For example:
DFHCA4970 I date time applid Override value 'YES' was applied to CEDF attribute of PROGRAM 'TEST'.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGMCP_6.1.0/reference-messages/cics-messages/DFHCA/DFHCA4970I.html

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins

Original Message:
Sent: Thu January 28, 2021 09:24 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

Hi Pradeep,

I haven't put a lot of thought into it, to be honest. My first thought when editing the featuretoggle file was to put an absolute path as the file name, I was a bit surprised it failed. I don't think sharing the dfhconfig directory is a problem as you can have directories under it for individual CICS regions if required, and yaml files with different names. You might want to keep the yaml files away from other files in the dfhconfig for security reasons maybe?  Give developers to opportunity to edit the yaml file, but not the others but there are probably other ways of doing that.  Mainly asking out of interest - wondering why you decided not to give the option of putting it somewhere else. Flexibility can't be a bad thing, can it?

------------------------------
Graham Clark
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue February 09, 2021 11:10 AM
From: Pradeep Gohil
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Graham,
I see that Chris has already responded - I was intrigued as to the reason you may want to store the file outside of ussconfig / dfhconfig?

We know a number of clients share USSCONFIG amongst numerous CICS regions. I wondered if you had a sharing concern?

The feature toggles capability can apply to all regions using the same USSCONFIG... or it could be scoped to a particular CICS region. So, by having a region-specific feature toggle, you can name the resource override file that you want for only that CICS region. Hopefully alleviating any sharing concerns.

------------------------------
Pradeep Gohil

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 12:03 PM
From: Graham Clark
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Chris,

I like this feature, I can see lots of uses for it. I'm wondering why you've decided to force the overrides file to be in dfhconfig/recourceoverrides rather than allowing us to specify an absolute path in the toggle file? 

Also I'd like to see a message in the JESMSGLG saying that overrides have been applied and to look for the DFHAM4970 messages. Would that be possible?

Cheers
Graham

------------------------------
Graham Clark

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 06:36 AM
From: Christopher Hodgins
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Ezriel,

Great questions thanks!

1) Provided with the YAML file is a Resource Overrides JSON schema which can be used to validate the input YAML file in a suitable editor. This can also be used to validate the input YAML file during any automated build stages. This currently only covers the Resource Overrides specific syntax and does not cover any CICS resource attribute validation. We may look to expand on that validation in the future. There is an expectation that any change to CICS input would be tested before committing directly to a production region to avoid outages.

Please consider raising an RFE if you'd like to see the JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation. 

2) This is definitely something we will look at and consider as part of the overall experience. Please consider raising an RFE for this capability.

3) No, to reload the YAML file, the CICS region must be restarted.

4) Yes, there are several messages produced at install time for Resource Overrides processing in MSGUSR. This includes DFHCA4970 which identifies the resource and attribute that is being overridden and includes the new attribute value after the override has been applied.

For example:
DFHCA4970 I date time applid Override value 'YES' was applied to CEDF attribute of PROGRAM 'TEST'.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGMCP_6.1.0/reference-messages/cics-messages/DFHCA/DFHCA4970I.html

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins

Original Message:
Sent: Thu January 28, 2021 09:24 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

------------------------------
Pradeep Gohil
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue February 09, 2021 11:40 AM
From: Graham Clark
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Pradeep,

I haven't put a lot of thought into it, to be honest. My first thought when editing the featuretoggle file was to put an absolute path as the file name, I was a bit surprised it failed. I don't think sharing the dfhconfig directory is a problem as you can have directories under it for individual CICS regions if required, and yaml files with different names. You might want to keep the yaml files away from other files in the dfhconfig for security reasons maybe?  Give developers to opportunity to edit the yaml file, but not the others but there are probably other ways of doing that.  Mainly asking out of interest - wondering why you decided not to give the option of putting it somewhere else. Flexibility can't be a bad thing, can it?

------------------------------
Graham Clark

Original Message:
Sent: Tue February 09, 2021 11:10 AM
From: Pradeep Gohil
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Graham,
I see that Chris has already responded - I was intrigued as to the reason you may want to store the file outside of ussconfig / dfhconfig?

We know a number of clients share USSCONFIG amongst numerous CICS regions. I wondered if you had a sharing concern?

The feature toggles capability can apply to all regions using the same USSCONFIG... or it could be scoped to a particular CICS region. So, by having a region-specific feature toggle, you can name the resource override file that you want for only that CICS region. Hopefully alleviating any sharing concerns.

------------------------------
Pradeep Gohil

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 12:03 PM
From: Graham Clark
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Chris,

I like this feature, I can see lots of uses for it. I'm wondering why you've decided to force the overrides file to be in dfhconfig/recourceoverrides rather than allowing us to specify an absolute path in the toggle file? 

Also I'd like to see a message in the JESMSGLG saying that overrides have been applied and to look for the DFHAM4970 messages. Would that be possible?

Cheers
Graham

------------------------------
Graham Clark

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 06:36 AM
From: Christopher Hodgins
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Ezriel,

Great questions thanks!

1) Provided with the YAML file is a Resource Overrides JSON schema which can be used to validate the input YAML file in a suitable editor. This can also be used to validate the input YAML file during any automated build stages. This currently only covers the Resource Overrides specific syntax and does not cover any CICS resource attribute validation. We may look to expand on that validation in the future. There is an expectation that any change to CICS input would be tested before committing directly to a production region to avoid outages.

Please consider raising an RFE if you'd like to see the JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation. 

2) This is definitely something we will look at and consider as part of the overall experience. Please consider raising an RFE for this capability.

3) No, to reload the YAML file, the CICS region must be restarted.

4) Yes, there are several messages produced at install time for Resource Overrides processing in MSGUSR. This includes DFHCA4970 which identifies the resource and attribute that is being overridden and includes the new attribute value after the override has been applied.

For example:
DFHCA4970 I date time applid Override value 'YES' was applied to CEDF attribute of PROGRAM 'TEST'.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGMCP_6.1.0/reference-messages/cics-messages/DFHCA/DFHCA4970I.html

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins

Original Message:
Sent: Thu January 28, 2021 09:24 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

Chris,

Great to hear from you thanks for the responses.  So Here is what I am taking away from this.

1)  Raise an RFE if I we want JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation.  I am not sure I can do this for a Beta release, I may have to wait for the release.  Unless you know how I can do this.

2)  I would also be happy to open an RFE.  Same question about the ability to do so as above.

3)  I will probably raise an RFE for this as well.  If not, I would at least want a way to install (using CEDA) that would ignore the override.

4) Excellent!

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 06:36 AM
From: Christopher Hodgins
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Ezriel,

Great questions thanks!

1) Provided with the YAML file is a Resource Overrides JSON schema which can be used to validate the input YAML file in a suitable editor. This can also be used to validate the input YAML file during any automated build stages. This currently only covers the Resource Overrides specific syntax and does not cover any CICS resource attribute validation. We may look to expand on that validation in the future. There is an expectation that any change to CICS input would be tested before committing directly to a production region to avoid outages.

Please consider raising an RFE if you'd like to see the JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation. 

2) This is definitely something we will look at and consider as part of the overall experience. Please consider raising an RFE for this capability.

3) No, to reload the YAML file, the CICS region must be restarted.

4) Yes, there are several messages produced at install time for Resource Overrides processing in MSGUSR. This includes DFHCA4970 which identifies the resource and attribute that is being overridden and includes the new attribute value after the override has been applied.

For example:
DFHCA4970 I date time applid Override value 'YES' was applied to CEDF attribute of PROGRAM 'TEST'.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGMCP_6.1.0/reference-messages/cics-messages/DFHCA/DFHCA4970I.html

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins

Original Message:
Sent: Thu January 28, 2021 09:24 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------

Ezriel, the new resource overrides feature is also now available at CICS TS 5.6 as a Continuous Delivery item, so you can raise your RFEs directly against CICS TS.

This was introduced by APAR PH30590 as described here:
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSGMCP_5.6.0/whats-new/intro.html#intro__resource-overrides

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon February 01, 2021 09:12 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Chris,

Great to hear from you thanks for the responses.  So Here is what I am taking away from this.

1)  Raise an RFE if I we want JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation.  I am not sure I can do this for a Beta release, I may have to wait for the release.  Unless you know how I can do this.

2)  I would also be happy to open an RFE.  Same question about the ability to do so as above.

3)  I will probably raise an RFE for this as well.  If not, I would at least want a way to install (using CEDA) that would ignore the override.

4) Excellent!

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672

Original Message:
Sent: Fri January 29, 2021 06:36 AM
From: Christopher Hodgins
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Hi Ezriel,

Great questions thanks!

1) Provided with the YAML file is a Resource Overrides JSON schema which can be used to validate the input YAML file in a suitable editor. This can also be used to validate the input YAML file during any automated build stages. This currently only covers the Resource Overrides specific syntax and does not cover any CICS resource attribute validation. We may look to expand on that validation in the future. There is an expectation that any change to CICS input would be tested before committing directly to a production region to avoid outages.

Please consider raising an RFE if you'd like to see the JSON schema validation extended to support CICS resource attribute validation. 

2) This is definitely something we will look at and consider as part of the overall experience. Please consider raising an RFE for this capability.

3) No, to reload the YAML file, the CICS region must be restarted.

4) Yes, there are several messages produced at install time for Resource Overrides processing in MSGUSR. This includes DFHCA4970 which identifies the resource and attribute that is being overridden and includes the new attribute value after the override has been applied.

For example:
DFHCA4970 I date time applid Override value 'YES' was applied to CEDF attribute of PROGRAM 'TEST'.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSGMCP_6.1.0/reference-messages/cics-messages/DFHCA/DFHCA4970I.html

Regards
Chris

------------------------------
Christopher Hodgins

Original Message:
Sent: Thu January 28, 2021 09:24 AM
From: Ezriel Gross
Subject: CICS Open Beta - Resource Definition Overrides Facility

Nick,

As per your comment at the CICS Technical exchange I will make my comments about the Resource Definition overrides here:

1) If the YAML file has errors, you say the region will not come up.  If that is the case we need an option to check this file after editing it to make sure some syntax error or unsupported option will not cause an outage.

2) If these overrides are only used at install time, when we look at a resource definition in the DFHCSD or EYUDREP, then we are not actually seeing the resource that will be installed.  We need an option to apply the overrides in view only prior to install.

3) Can we reload the YAML file on the fly and have the region pick up the new one if we have messed up a override in some manner,

4) Are there messages on the CICS MSGUSER file showing exactly which overrides were applied as each resource is installed for auditing?

Thanks,

------------------------------
Ezriel Gross
Rocket Software
Waltham NJ
17816842672
------------------------------