Using the application interface block

COBOL applications that run in a Java™ dependent region normally must use the AIB interface because the Java dependent region does not provide PCB addresses to its application.

To use the AIB interface, specify the PCB requested for the call by placing the PCB name (which must be defined as part of the PSBGEN) in the resource name field of the AIB. (The AIB requires that all PCBs in a program specification block (PSB) definition have a name.) You do not specify the PCB address directly, and your application does not need to know the relative PCB position in the PCB list. Upon the completion of the call, the AIB returns the PCB address that corresponds to the PCB name that the application passed.

Alternatively, you can obtain PCB addresses by making an IMS INQY call using subfunction FIND, and the PCB name as the resource name. The call returns the address of the PCB, which you can then pass to a COBOL program. (This approach still requires that the PCB name be defined as part of the PSBGEN, but the application does not have to use the AIB interface.)

Example: using the application interface block

related tasks  
IMS Application Programming Guide