Response mode transactions in IMS
I've been evaluating Micro Focus Enterprise Developer, and I've run into another show-stopper for IMS/TM:
All of our IMS online transactions are defined as RESP(Y), which means:
The terminal from which the transaction is entered is held and prevents further input until a response is received.
What this does not mean is that a reponse-mode transaction has to return a response. It is OK to message switch to other transactions (even ones with RESP(Y) as long as at some point, you eventually do ISRT a message back to the terminal.
In fact, this sequence is allowed:
User hits Enter on a screen A
Tran A gets screen
Tran A ISRTs via altpcb to tran B (a program-to-program message switch). Tran A is done.
Tran B ISRTs via altpcb to tran C, D, E, and A again. Tran B is done.
Tran C starts
Tran D starts
Tran E starts
Tran A starts
Tran C ends without inserting anything
Tran A inserts screen back to terminal
Tran D ends without inserting anything
Tran E ends without inserting anything
even thoug