8.1 Channel / Container Overview

The channel and container model introduces a new approach that provides an easy and flexible mechanism for exchange of large volumes of structured parameter data between CICS programs.

Containers are named blocks of data designed for passing information between programs. Programs can pass any number of containers between each other. Containers grouped together in sets are called channels. A channel is analogous to a parameter list.

ART CICS uses FML32 buffer type to carry channel data, and CARRAY to carry container data. Channel and container decode, encode, and data alignment are added to TMA GWSNAX. GWSNAX can be integrated with ART CICS to communicate between ART CICS and mainframe CICS, as well as between local Tuxedo and CICS programs.