Bean3270™ Description

• A 100% pure java solution for quickly and inexpensively extending host mainframe CICS application function across a TCP/IP network to ANY Java™ program module.

• Uses a graphical IDE for simple real-time development and testing of Java 'bean modules' that connect to a host Tn3270 server to submit or collect information from any CICS application.

Requirements

• The host CICS application must be accessible via Tn3270 from both the workstation development platform and the targeted deployment platform.

• Deployment platforms can be application servers, web servers or even a spare PC running a remotely invoked (RMI) class that uses an Bean3270 generated module to submit transaction data to a host CICS application. The only requirement is that the deployment platform support Java™.

• Requires NO additional software be installed on the mainframe and only the Sun Java Development Kit on the workstation if the bundled JVM is not selected for installation.

• Requires NO modifications to any CICS application.

• Requires NO additional hardware of any kind.

• Requires only minimal programming skills and basic knowledge of CICS applications structure to create sophisticated data retrieval or submission modules that are 100% pure Java™.

• Installation is extremely simple. Cirrus provides a single install.exe file for Windows platforms and a single executable .jar file for Linux/Solaris. A Java JVM may be optionally bundled with the installation so that the full blown Java JDK does not need to be installed on a machine where Bean3270 will run..

• Development takes place within a simple to use integrated environment. Even the current CICS screen is shown during development and testing if desired. Typically, a user can modify the current Bean3270 commands, generate the Java™ code, compile and test the module ... within 60 seconds.

• A simple retrieval module that makes a connection, logs-in, starts a CICS transaction, enters a few data fields, waits for the response and then encapsulates the returned data, can be created in less than 10 minutes.

• Any Bean3270 generated Java class may also be executed from the operating system's command line. Necessary input is supplied via a property data file. Module output is also in the form of a property data file and may be redirected to persistant storage for later examination, or simply allowed to scroll up on the screen. All property data files are simple text files.

• Accomodating changes to CICS applications is a simple matter of re-loading the existing module commands (either from the previously created command file or from the originally generated Java™ source code), making whatever modifications are required, re-generating and re-testing the new module.

• Will both submit and retrieve 'arrays' of data elements (in up to three dimensions) from multiple lines or columns of information on any CICS screen.

• Provides for the 'caching' and retrieval of the CICS 'session' in it's current state. This allows multiple modules to act upon the same 'session' at different times. For example, one module could establish a connection and navigate to a screen supporting a specific function and then save the state of the 'session'. Later, another module can retrieve the 'session', execute the desired function, and then return the session to the state it began with before exiting.

• Use of an Bean3270 module in a web application gives the capability of controlling RACF security within the web application itself. For example, a single RACF log-in could be used by the Bean3270 module to access a desired CICS application, and your own, web-based, authentication mechanism such as LDAP can control access to the web function.

• Was designed to support the needs of large scale, enterprise class CICS applications which often have complex navigational requirements.

• Allows nested loop and conditional command structures that support 'drilling' down through multiple screens while submitting/collecting data elements and then returning to a prior screen to select another path.

• Is fast. We have not found a CICS application using BMS (written to interact with a video display screen) that outruns our generated modules. Typical network latency and CICS host transaction processing time is much greater than the time required by an Bean3270 module to handle the information flow.

• All 'beans' generated are 100% pure java and may be used by any other Java™ servlet, JSP or Java™ class module.

• The Java™ source generated by Bean3270 is extensively commented and cross-referenced to the individual input commands for ease of error resolution during either the generation or testing phases of development.

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