Brand new this year, CCDUG is hosting a free Introduction to IMS on Monday May 12, 2025! If you’d like to attend, please register for Intro to IMS Day; there is no cost to attend. This seminar will include the following topics:
What is a database?
A brief description of two major database types. The differences, the similarities and the overlaps. The
considerations of structure, access and usability. A summary view and comparison.
A (very) brief history of IMS
A short talk about how IMS came to be. One question quiz at the end of the day.
What sort of database is IMS?
IMS is a twofold product, so not JUST a database. Here we look at the two logical components of an IMS
environment. The Transaction Manager – TM and Database Manager – DB. Then moves on the various
databases available in IMS to suit programming requirements such as application access speed,
availability and recovery.
Why do we choose IMS?
What makes IMS different? Business cases often have requirements that only IMS satisfies. SLAs with
user might dictate levels of performance and availability. Or even the ability to handle differing volumes
of transaction traffic. How does IMS provide users with the above?
IMS DB 101
IMS Database Manager component. Let’s look at the pieces needed to create and access a database.
The tasks and configuration that controls database access and authorization. A deeper look at
predominate database types with an eye towards performance. The Inherent integrity of IMS that
allows multiple users to simultaneously access the same data structures. There will be a quick look into
modernization features, such as Open DataBase Management, over the years.
IMS TM 101
IMS transaction Manager component. How does IMS process a transaction. A review of the life of a
transaction. Where does the transaction run? How does IMS route it? What tasks are need in IMS to
make this processing complete?
Application Development with IMS 101
What makes and application program? A discussion of availability of programming languages. An
explanation of DBDs, PCBs and ACBs modules. How they are coded and generated by IMS utilities for an
application program to use. Search arguments. call patterns and what happens when it breaks. Lastly,
why the modernization steps with the IMS Catalog is an important step towards High Availability and
continuous service.