Hi
@Kari Nagle,
I'm glad to hear you are well!
Thank you for your answers and based on those I can recommend 2 ways to achieve a REST API call from a CICS COBOL application.
1. You can use the built in CICS Web Services support to make a REST JSON API call directly from CICS. Take a look at the documentation here:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/cics-ts/5.6?topic=services-creating-json-web-service-client-application
This does not require z/OS Connect EE, as it is using built in CICS support. However, the processing of the API call and the data transformation will all be happening on general processors as it is not zIIP eligible
2. You can purchase z/OS Connect EE and use the BAQCSTUB to make a REST JSON API call:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/zosconnect/3.0?topic=calling-restful-apis-from-zos-applicationsThe benefit here is most of the work is done in z/OS Connect EE meaning that it is zIIP eligible. Also, the programming model is slightly simpler when using the BAQCSTUB versus coding the EXEC CICS calls.
However, either approach will achieve your goal.
Kind Regards,
Mark
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Mark Hiscock
IBM Z Developer
z/OS Connect EE
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Original Message:
Sent: Mon October 18, 2021 04:46 PM
From: Kari Nagle
Subject: Calling API's from IBM Z Cobol Application
Hi Mark Hiscock, sorry for the delay in response. I got my gallbladder out! Back at work now :)
My company does NOT have z/OS Connect...is this the only way it's possible? Here are my answers to your questions:
- What environment is the COBOL application running in: CICS, IMS or Batch (z/OS)? CICS (but the system does run batch)
- Do you have z/OS Connect EE? No
- What version of the COBOL compiler are you using? v6.3
- What version of z/OS are you running?
- 5650-ZOS z/OS ALL FEATURES v2.4
- 5655EC6 Enterprise COBOL for z/OS V6.3
- 5698-T07 IBM CICS Transaction Server for z/OS (Omegamon/cics) v5.6
- 5655MQ9 IBM MQ for z/OS V9.2
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Kari Nagle
Original Message:
Sent: Fri October 08, 2021 04:28 AM
From: Mark Hiscock
Subject: Calling API's from IBM Z Cobol Application
Hi Kari,
I have a few questions:
- What environment is the COBOL application running in: CICS, IMS or Batch (z/OS)?
- Do you have z/OS Connect EE?
- What version of the COBOL compiler are you using?
- What version of z/OS are you running?
The answers to these questions will help me to guide you in the right direction.
Kind Regards,
Mark
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Mark Hiscock
IBM Z Developer
z/OS Connect EE
Original Message:
Sent: Tue October 05, 2021 03:16 PM
From: Kari Nagle
Subject: Calling API's from IBM Z Cobol Application
Hi all! My team is just starting to research how to call REST API's via our IBM Z cobol mainframe application. Any tips or utilities that you can share?
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Kari Nagle
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