IMS command language overview

You can use the IMS™ master terminal, TSO SPOC, or the OM API to receive messages, issue commands, and receive command responses.

IMS supports two types of command formats to manage IMS systems and resources: IMS type-1 commands and IMS type-2 commands.

You can enter IMS type-1 commands through multiple terminal types and applications, and most can be entered through the OM API. IMS type-2 commands can be entered only from the OM API. z/OS® commands can be entered only from a z/OS system console, not from an IMS master terminal.

IMS type-1 commands
IMS type-1 commands can be entered from IMS terminals, master terminals, system consoles, EMCS consoles, IMS application programs through CMD calls and ICMD calls, and LU 6.2 and OTMA applications. IMS type-1 commands are in the original or classic IMS command syntax, and are preceded by a command recognition character if the command is issued from one of these interfaces.

Most IMS type-1 commands can also be entered from the OM API, but not all of them. If the command is issued from the OM API, the command recognition character is optional. Use RACF® or an equivalent security product for security checking. IMS type-1 command output from the OM API is in message format within an XML tag structure.

IMS type-2 commands
IMS type-2 commands can be entered only from the OM API, not from a master or remote terminal. Either RACF (or an equivalent security product) or command security can be used for security checking. IMS type-2 command output is in XML tag structure.

Both IMS type-1 commands and type-2 commands can be entered from the OM API (for example, TSO SPOC, IMS Control Center, or user-written programs using OM API).