HP OpenVMS Systems Documentation
Content starts here Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS

Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS

Getting Started

Order Number: AA--EV63H--TE

July 2001

This manual provides introductory information to help you get started with Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS. The manual includes a step-by-step tutorial for developing a simple Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS application. It also provides an overview of the AVERTZ car rental sample application that ships with the Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS software kit.

Revision/Update Information: This document supersedes the
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Getting Started, Version 4.3.

Operating System: Compaq OpenVMS Alpha, Version 6.2, 7.2--1, or 7.3
Compaq OpenVMS VAX, Version 6.2, 7.2, or 7.3

Software Version: Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS, Version 4.4

Compaq Computer Corporation
Houston, Texas

© 2001 Compaq Computer Corporation

Compaq and the Compaq logo Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

ACMS, DECforms, DECnet, DECset, OpenVMS, PATHWORKS, and Tru64 are trademarks of the Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P. in the United States and other countries.

Motif is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries.

All other product names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective companies.

Confidential computer software. Valid license from Compaq required for possession, use, or copying. Consistent with FAR 12.211 and 12.212, Commercial Computer Software, Computer Software Documentation, and Technical Data for Commercial Items are licensed to the U.S. Government under vendor's standard commercial license.

Compaq shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. The information in this document is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind and is subject to change without notice. The warranties for Compaq products are set forth in the express limited warranty statments accompanying such products. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty.

ZK6621

The OpenVMS documentation set is available on CD-ROM.

This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version V3.2n.

Contents Index

Preface

This manual provides an introduction to Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS (ACMS) concepts. You should be familiar with these concepts when you use the other manuals in the ACMS documentation set. You can use ACMS with related Compaq products as a development and run-time system for transaction processing (TP) applications.

Intended Audience

Part 1 of this document is intended for anyone who wants a general understanding of ACMS.

Part 2 of this document is intended for application programmers who are new to ACMS. You do not need expertise with Oracle CDD/Repository, DECforms, or ACMS to perform the tutorial application. However, you should have some familiarity with the OpenVMS operating system.

Part 3 of this document is intended for systems analysts and program developers who are involved in creating and integrating the components of an ACMS system.

Document Structure

This document has the following structure:

  • Part 1 contains an overview of Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS software and documentation. It contains the following chapters:
    • Chapter 1 describes the TP style of computing, its differences from traditional timesharing computing, and the key features of an ACMS TP system.
    • Chapter 2 provides an overview of the steps required to build an ACMS application.
    • Chapter 3 describes what happens as ACMS executes the series of steps that make up a task.
    • Chapter 4 provides an overview of managing the ACMS system and applications and describes the tools ACMS provides for this work.
    • Chapter 5 outlines the ACMS product packages and describes ACMS documentation.
  • Part 2 contains a step-by-step tutorial for developing a simple ACMS application. It contains the following chapters:
    • Chapter 6 contains a list of prerequisites for performing the tutorial and an overview of ACMS application development concepts.
    • Chapter 7 describes in step-by-step detail how to write the data entry task using ACMS, DECforms, and CDD definitions.
    • Chapter 8 describes in step-by-step detail how to write the inquiry/update task using ACMS, DECforms, and CDD definitions.
    • Chapter 9 describes how to combine the data entry task and the inquiry/update task into a task group. It also describes how to write startup and cleanup procedures, how to link the object modules into a server image, and how to test the tasks using the ACMS Task Debugger.
    • Chapter 10 describes how to write the application definition and then build this definition into an application database that ACMS uses at run time.
    • Chapter 11 describes how to write the menu definition and then build this definition into a menu database that ACMS uses at run time.
    • Chapter 12 describes procedures that the system manager follows to prepare for the installation of the tutorial application.
    • Chapter 13 describes how to install and run the tutorial application.
  • Part 3 contains an overview of the AVERTZ car rental sample application that ships with the Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS software kit. It contains the following chapters:
    • Chapter 14 describes three perspectives of an ACMS system, the system manager's view, the user's view, and the developer's view.
    • Chapter 15 helps you build, install, and set up the AVERTZ sample application.
    • Chapter 16 presents a fictional conversation and transaction between a reservation clerk working for AVERTZ operations in New England and a customer who needs a rental car.
    • Chapter 17 takes a brief look at some of the work involved in designing and developing an ACMS application.
  • Appendix A describes how ACMS runs a task, and introduces some utilities that are available to help you solve problems in running a new ACMS application.
  • Appendix B lists the source files created by the tutorial in Part 2 and describes how to access the online versions of these files.
  • The Glossary contains definitions of terms from all books in the ACMS documentation set.

ACMS Help

ACMS and its components provide extensive online help.

  • DCL level help
    Enter HELP ACMS at the DCL prompt for complete help about the ACMS command and qualifiers, and for other elements of ACMS for which independent help systems do not exist. DCL level help also provides brief help messages for elements of ACMS that contain independent help systems (such as the ACMS utilities) and for related products used by ACMS (such as DECforms or Oracle CDD/Repository).

  • ACMS utilities help
    Each of the following ACMS utilities has an online help system:
    • ACMS Debugger
    • ACMSGEN Utility
    • ACMS Remote Manager Configuration Utility (ACMSCFG)
    • ACMS Remote Manager Client (ACMSMGR)
    • ACMS Remote Manager Data Snapshot Utility (ACMSSNAP)
    • ACMS Queue Manager (ACMSQUEMGR)
    • Application Definition Utility (ADU)
    • Application Authorization Utility (AAU)
    • Device Definition Utility (DDU)
    • User Definition Utility (UDU)
    • Audit Trail Report Utility (ATR)
    • Software Event Log Utility Program (SWLUP)

    The two ways to get utility-specific help are:
    • Run the utility and type HELP at the utility prompt.
    • Use the DCL HELP command. At the "Topic?" prompt, type @ followed by the name of the utility. Use the ACMS prefix, even if the utility does not have an ACMS prefix (except for SWLUP). For example: 


      Topic? @ACMSQUEMGR
Topic? @ACMSADU

      However, do not use the ACMS prefix with SWLUP: 


      Topic? @SWLUP

    Note that if you run the ACMS Debugger Utility and then type HELP, you must specify a file. If you ask for help from the DCL level with @, you do not need to specify a file.
  • ACMSPARAM.COM and ACMEXCPAR.COM help
    Help for the command procedures that set parameters and quotas is a subset of the DCL level help. You have access to this help from the DCL prompt, or from within the command procedures.
  • LSE help
    ACMS provides ACMS-specific help within the LSE templates that assist in the creation of applications, tasks, task groups, and menus. The ACMS-specific LSE help is a subset of the ADU help system. Within the LSE templates, this help is context-sensitive. Type HELP/IND (PF1-PF2) at any placeholder for which you want help.
  • Error help
    ACMS and each of its utilities provide error message help. Use HELP ACMS ERRORS from the DCL prompt for ACMS error message help. Use HELP ERRORS from the individual utility prompts for error message help for that utility.
  • Terminal user help
    At each menu within an ACMS application, ACMS provides help about terminal user commands, special key mappings, and general information about menus and how to select tasks from menus.

  • Forms help
    For complete help for Compaq DECforms or Compaq TDMS, use the help systems for these products.

Related Documents

The following table lists the books in the Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS documentation set.

ACMS Information Description
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Version 4.4 Release Notes+ Information about the latest release of the software
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Version 4.4 Installation Guide Description of installation requirements, the installation procedure, and postinstallation tasks.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Getting Started Overview of ACMS software and documentation.
Tutorial for developing a simple ACMS application.
Description of the AVERTZ sample application.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Concepts and Design Guidelines Description of how to design an ACMS application.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Writing Applications Description of how to write task, task group, application, and menu definitions using the Application Definition Utility.
Description of how to write and migrate ACMS applications on an OpenVMS Alpha system.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Writing Server Procedures Description of how to write programs to use with tasks and how to debug tasks and programs. Description of how ACMS works with the APPC/LU6.2 programming interface to communicate with IBM CICS applications. Description of how ACMS works with third-party database managers, with Oracle used as an example.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Systems Interface Programming Description of using Systems Interface (SI) Services to submit tasks to an ACMS system.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS ADU Reference Manual Reference information about the ADU commands, phrases, and clauses.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Quick Reference List of ACMS syntax with brief descriptions.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Managing Applications Description of authorizing, running, and managing ACMS applications, and controlling the ACMS system.
Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Remote Systems Management Guide Description of the features of the Remote Manager for managing ACMS systems, how to use the features, and how to manage the Remote Manager.
Online help+ Online help about ACMS and its utilities.
+Available online only.

For additional information on the compatibility of other software products with this version of ACMS, refer to the Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Software Product Description (SPD 25.50.xx).

For additional information about the Open Systems Software Group (OSSG) products and services, access the following OpenVMS World Wide Web address: 


http://h18000.www1.hp.com/openvms

Reader's Comments

Compaq welcomes your comments on this manual.

Print or edit the online form SYS$HELP:OPENVMSDOC_COMMENTS.TXT and send us your comments by:

Internet openvmsdoc@compaq.com
Fax 603 884-0120, Attention: OSSG Documentation, ZKO3-4/U08
Mail Compaq Computer Corporation
OSSG Documentation Group, ZKO3-4/U08
110 Spit Brook Rd.
Nashua, NH 03062-2698

How To Order Additional Documentation

Use the following World Wide Web address for information about how to order additional documentation: 


http://h18000.www1.hp.com/openvms

To reach the OpenVMS documentation website, click the Documentation link.

If you need help deciding which documentation best meets your needs, call 1--800--ATCOMPA.

Conventions

The following conventions are used in this manual:

Ctrl/ x A sequence such as Ctrl/ x indicates that you must press and hold the key labeled Ctrl while you press another key or a pointing device button.
PF1 x A sequence such as PF1 x indicates that you must first press and release the key labeled PF1 and then press and release another key or a pointing device button.
[Return] In examples, a key name enclosed in a box indicates that you press a key on the keyboard. (In text, a key name is not enclosed in a box.)

In the HTML version of this document, this convention appears as brackets rather than a box.

... A horizontal ellipsis in examples indicates one of the following possibilities:
  • Additional optional arguments in a statement have been omitted.
  • The preceding item or items can be repeated one or more times.
  • Additional parameters, values, or other information can be entered.
.
.
. 		A vertical ellipsis indicates the omission of items from a code example or command format; the items are omitted because they are not important to the topic being discussed.
Monospace text Monospace type indicates code examples and interactive screen displays.

In the C programming language, monospace type in text identifies the following elements: keywords, the names of independently compiled external functions and files, syntax summaries, and references to variables or identifiers introduced in an example.

In the HTML version of this document, this text style may appear as italics.

- A hyphen at the end of a command format description, command line, or code line indicates that the command or statement continues on the following line.
numbers All numbers in text are assumed to be decimal unless otherwise noted. Nondecimal radixes---binary, octal, or hexadecimal---are explicitly indicated.
bold text Bold text represents the introduction of a new term or the name of an argument, an attribute, or a reason.

In the HMTL version of this document, this text style may appear as italics.

italic text Italic text indicates important information, complete titles of manuals, or variables. Variables include information that varies in system output (Internal error number), in command lines (/PRODUCER= name), and in command parameters in text (where dd represents the predefined code for the device type).
UPPERCASE Uppercase text indicates the name of a routine, the name of a file, the name of a file protection code, or the abbreviation for a system privilege.

In command format descriptions, uppercase text is an optional keyword.

UPPERCASE In command format descriptions, uppercase text that is underlined is required. You must include it in the statement if the clause is used.
lowercase In command format descriptions, a lowercase word indicates a required element.
<lowercase> In command format descriptions, lowercase text in angle brackets indicates a required clause or phrase.
( ) In command format descriptions, parentheses indicate that you must enclose the options in parentheses if you choose more than one.
[| |] In command format descriptions, vertical bars within square brackets indicate that you can choose any combination of the enclosed options, but you can choose each option only once.
{| |} In command format descriptions, vertical bars within braces indicate that you must choose one of the options listed, but you can use each option only once.

References to Products

The ACMS documentation set often refers to products by abbreviated names. The following product abbreviations are used in this documentation set:

Abbreviation Product
ACMS Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Alpha, and Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS VAX
Ada Compaq Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems, and Compaq Ada for OpenVMS VAX Systems
BASIC Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS, and Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS
C Compaq C for OpenVMS Alpha Systems, and Compaq C for OpenVMS VAX Systems
CDD Oracle CDD/Administrator, and Oracle CDD/Repository
COBOL Compaq COBOL for OpenVMS Alpha Systems, and Compaq COBOL for OpenVMS VAX Systems
DATATRIEVE Compaq DATATRIEVE for OpenVMS Alpha, and Compaq DATATRIEVE for OpenVMS VAX
DBMS Oracle CODASYL DBMS
DECforms Compaq DECforms for OpenVMS
FORTRAN Compaq Fortran for OpenVMS Alpha Systems, and Compaq Fortran for OpenVMS VAX Systems
OpenVMS The Compaq OpenVMS Alpha operating system, and the Compaq OpenVMS VAX operating system
Pascal Compaq Pascal for OpenVMS Alpha, and Compaq Pascal for OpenVMS VAX
PL/I PL/I for OpenVMS Systems
Rdb Oracle Rdb
SQL The SQL interface to Oracle Rdb
TDMS Compaq TDMS for OpenVMS VAX

Next Contents Index