1. What happens to my batch and CICS source code ?
Most clients find that their applications run unchanged. The average COBOL application, be it batch or CICS, OSVS or COBOL II, will compile and execute as expected with few if any source code changes. As a general rule, well written mainframe COBOL will require less than .01 percent of source lines to be changed - or 1 in 10,000 lines require some programmer maintenance. Those applications that use hard-coded EBCDIC values may require changes as Eden Server is an ASCII based system. Applications that are known to compile and execute properly under Net Express, Mainframe Express or Micro Focus' older MTS product should be expected to run with no changes whatsoever.

2. How are EXEC CICS statements supported ?
An integrated preprocessor is supplied that works directly with the Net Express compiler. The preprocessor converts the EXEC CICS statements to MOVE, CALL and other statements as required. Depending upon the particular command, the preprocessor inserted code may be in the form of in-line statements, sub-routine CALL's or Eden Server API calls. And because Eden's preprocessor is designed to work with the Net Express compiler and Animator, debugging compiled source code is simple and straight forward.Please see the CICS API Support list, which is provided on the documentation page of this site, for complete information on the list of supported CICS API's.

3. Is BMS supported ?
Yes, Assembler BMS macros are supported. All BMS macros are processed via a compiler pre-processor so that you may continue to use your BMS without any changes. Eden Client also supports extended BMS services such as 3270 datastreams and enhanced Operator Paging features as well. Eden also includes a full GUI screen editor that allows BMS maps to be enhanced by adding GUI gadgets such as push buttons, check buttons, list boxes and more. The best part is that many of these GUI changes made to the BMS layer require no source changes to the underlying CICS application.Using Eden Client, any existing BMS screen can be displayed as either a 'green screen' or at the click of a button, the same screen can be displayed in GUI mode.Also, by using the Eden Screen Editor, existing BMS maps may be tailored to include GUI 'add-on' items such as radio buttons, check boxes, list boxes, even HTML links !See the BMS API Support reference and EScreen users guide, on the documentation page of this site, for complete information on these features.

4. Are VSAM indexed, relative and sequential files supported ?
Yes, all mainframe VSAM formats are supported including KSDS variable and fixed length, RRDS fixed length, ESDS (rba) fixed and variable length in both record-sequential and line-sequential PC formats are all fully supported. Eden Server includes full support for dynamic transaction backout from CICS transactions. Eden also includes the ability to redirect VSAM IO from batch jobs to a CICS region with the ability to automatically perform checkpointing and dynamic transaction backout - all through the use of minor JCL changes.Eden Server also supports Generation Data Groups, aka GDG files, allowing up to 999 generations per dataset.

5. What about batch report archiving and viewing ?
Included with Eden Server is a CICS based client application called the 'JOBS' transaction. JOBS serves as a replacement to such mainframe based subsystems as IOF, SAR or POWER. JOBS gives the ability to both administrators and terminal users to submit and monitor the execution of batch jobs as well as view, search and print reports.Additionally JOBS include a control card or job parm builder feature that enables ordinary terminal users to manage their own batch jobs where a console operator may have been previously required. Report archival, by individual report name and job number is possible. JOBS also includes an administrator only interface as well as 'per user' authorization by job.

6. How are mainframe print files with carriage control or forms control buffers (i.e., FCB's) handled ?
Eden Server includes several batch utilities that are used to read raw mainframe format print files and convert them to text files suitable for printing on PC or network printers. Several versions of the utility are provided to support files that: a) use simple carriage control functions. b) use custom FCB's with up to 12 channels. All versions are also capable of allowing insertion of user definable PCL code strings.

7. How are my mainframe in-line JCL sorts handled ?
JCL based sorts, as opposed to those coded directly in COBOL programs, are handled effectivley as they are on the mainframe. SORTIN, SORTOUT, SORTWRK, etc, ddnames are all supported. SORT FIELDS= statements are also supported 'as is' for variable files where the mainframe 'plus 4' rule for field positions is required. The Micro Focus MFSORT utility is used to actually perform sorts. The Eden Server utility 'RMSSORT' is included which can be added to SORT steps in JCL. RMSSORT acts as a command building interface for MFSORT so that no knowledge of MFSORT is required.

8. How are my batch jobs, a.k.a. JCL, handled ?
Eden Server includes a built in background manager feature that gives Eden Server the ability to function like your UNIX or Mainframe system in that it can control external programs. This is the equivalent of a process manager on UNIX, or a partition (VSE) or intitiator (MVS) controller on a mainframe; Ede supports up to 50 concurrent PID's, i.e., batch jobs. Eden Server's particular background manager supports Windows .bat files with, of course, numerous extensions to standard .bat file commands that allow Eden to process JCL with mainframe features, such as conditional execution of job steps, data set disposition processing, step overrides, inline procedures and more.Eden also includes a complete and fully featured job scheduling system that provides a number of methods of pre- and post-run dependency checking as well as very powerful job scheduler too.

9. Are there user exits and/or EPI/ECI exits available ?
Yes, Eden Server also includes a callable client module that incorporates a full featured EPI/ECI interface. There are also a wide range of API calls provided as well as new 'EXEC EDEN' commands available that allow CICS application programs to use Eden Server features. These items are documented in the Programmers Reference, which is available on the documentation page on this site.

10. Can Eden Server be integrated with VB, Java or other external applications ?
Yes, Eden offers a wide range of methods to allow external, non-CICS applications to be integrated with Eden. An easy to use command line utility, ECOMM is supplied that allows server commands to be submitted by external processes, such as backup software. Also provided is a complete set of API's and user-exit points that provide full access to all Eden Server and Eden Client functions as well as access to Eden's Background Job and Print Management systems.

11. Is Eden Server a secure environment ?
Yes, Eden Server includes a number of security features that ensure only authorized access is granted to CICS and Batch facilities. First, Eden includes an IP address based accept/reject firewall that is easily configured. Second, all external communications used with Eden's Thin web client, are compressed and encrypted using a prorpietary algorithm. Also, all the standard CICS security features including CSSN/CESN logon requirements and program / transaction level resource security checking are included.

12. Does Eden Server include something to replace IDCAMS and other mainframe utilities ?
Yes, Eden Server includes the RMSFILE stand-alone utility, which replaces IDCAMS. RMSFILE provides the ability to perform file based operations from either the command line, or from a batch job using either control-card or in-line SYSIN commands.The functions provided by RMSFILE include Delete/Define of all types of VSAM files, a 'CPYREC' command that provides 'REPRO'-like functionality and a CONCAT command which allows sequential datasets to be concatenated.Other utilities, such as SORT/MERGE, IEBGENER and others are supplied with Micro Focus Net Express, which is an included component of Eden Server.

13. Does Eden Server work in a web browser ?
Yes, Eden version 4.0 currently as early-release and set for general avalability in January 2005, includes a full implimentation of Eden Client which is accessed via your web browser, all without any RMS or other third-party installed software.

14. How does Eden Server support 'system management' functions ?
The Eden Server management console includes complete real-time information on CICS regions, CPU and memory usage as well as TCP network utilization information. In all over 100 real-time statistics are viewable on the Eden Server console, or by using the Eden Remote Console tool; EConsole.

15. Does Eden Server support GDG's ?
Yes, Eden fully supports Generation Data Group files. In addition to Eden JCL extensions required to specify file generations, Eden also supplys a number of utility commands to maintain the Eden GDG catalog.

16. Does Eden Server support tape devices ?
Yes, Eden includes a full catalog driven tape sub-system similar in functionality to many mainfraime 3rd-party packages. The Eden taps system supports any SCSI attached tape drive, including many models of auto-loaders.