TPF/MVS - The Next Stage

The IASC is pleased to announce Airline Control System (ALCS) Version 2 Release 1.3 (program number 5695-068). This modification level of the product (which is also known as TPF/MVS) contains a number of significant enhancements and is planned to be generally available in May 1994.

What is TPF/MVS?
TPF/MVS is one of a family of IBM programs designed to provide real-time, high volume and high availability transaction processing. Typical applications are passenger and cargo reservations for airlines and railroads, hotel booking systems, and credit card authorization. TPF/MVS provides the Transaction Processing Facility (TPF) application program interface (API) for MVS/ESA environments.

What's New in TPF/MVS?

• Enhanced high-level language support
• Message Queue Interface
• On-line database reorganization
• Simplified installation and operation
• New method of pool file handling
• Improved documentation
• Many other enhancements

High-Level Languages
TPF/MVS interfaces to IBM's AD/Cycle Language Environment allowing application programs to be written in COBOL or C language. Programs written in SAA-C or COBOL can be ported between TPF/MVS and other SAA platforms. For C language programs, TPF/MVS also provides the specialized TPF API functions, which enables portability between TPF/MVS and TPF.

Message Queue Interface
TPF/MVS provides full support for the SAA common programming interface for message queuing (MQI), which is part of IBM's Networking Blueprint. MQI allows programs in a heterogeneous network to exchange messages independently of communication protocols. This allows TPF/MVS to participate in an integrated transaction processing complex that can include TPF/MVS, CICS, IMS, and possibly other transaction processing platforms. Message Queue Manager MVS/ESA for the IBM MQSeries enables new applications to be developed for distributing over multiple processors or networks and between supporting platforms. TPF/MVS allows applications to issue MQI calls which it intercepts and passes on to MQM MVS/ESA. Similarly, the results of MQI calls are returned to the calling application.

On-line Database Reorganization
The TPF/MVS real-time database can be expanded or contracted on-line without interrupting availability. Options include:

• Changing the size or number of data sets in the database
• Changing the number of records in long-term pool
• Allocating fixed and short-term pool file records dynamically
• Adding or deleting records

Simplified Installation and Operation
TPF/MVS includes Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF) panels for installation, maintenance and operational procedures. This improves usability and simplifies maintenance.

Pool File Handling
TPF/MVS implements a new design for pool support, which provides improved performance and integrity. Short-term pool diagnostic information is also provided.

Improved Documentation
The TPF/MVS library has been restructured to provide a set of smaller task-oriented manuals which are designed to be easier to use. The library also includes a Concepts and Facilities manual and pocket-sized reference summaries for assembler macros and C language functions. Improved on-line help for TPF/MVS operation is also available.

Other Enhancements
TPF/MVS incorporates many other enhancements to improve performance, availability, and serviceability, including a new installation-wide exit package. All TPF/MVS installation-wide exits can be loaded on-line, and are designed to simplify customization and reduce maintenance effort.

Why Choose TPF/MVS?
TPF/MVS provides a number of benefits in the transaction processing environment:

• MVS/ESA environment for existing TPF applications
• MVS/ESA data processing facilities and features
• Low dependence on specialist programming skills
• Optimized programmer and operator productivity
• High degree of application portability

With TPF/MVS, you have access to a wide range of applications developed for the TPF family of products. You can participate in an active marketplace where you can buy and sell individual applications or complete application suites.