The following is an overview of the steps you need to follow when writing servers for MVSSERV. Subsequent chapters of the document give further details.

1. Select or create a load module data set to contain the executable code for the server and initialization/termination program. If the server and initialization/termination program are in different load modules, the initialization/termination program must load the server (see Designing and Writing a Server Initialization/Termination Program for details).
2. Write the server (see Designing and Writing a Server).
   • The server must:
     • Access the service request input in the CPRB.
     • Call the requested service function.
     • Perform the service, calling other servers if necessary.
     • Indicate the reply length in the CPRB.
     • Set the return code in register 15.
     • Return control to MVSSERV.
     • Provide recovery (optional).
   • Compile or assemble the server and link it to a load module.
3. Write an initialization/termination program (see Designing and Writing a Server Initialization/Termination Program).
   • For initialization, the program must:
     • Load the server (if necessary).
     • Obtain resources (if necessary).
     • Define the server to MVSSERV and pass a parameter list (parmlist) pointing to any resources.
4. For termination, the program must:
   • Free any resources.
   • Delete the server (if loaded).
   • Compile or assemble the initialization/termination program and link it to a load module.
5. Install the server and initialization/termination program (see Installing Programs and Data Sets for Use with MVSSERV).
   • Install the programs in a STEPLIB or system library.
   • Define the initialization/termination program to MVSSERV in the input parameter data set.
   • Allocate diagnosis data sets (optional):
     • Trace data set
     • Dump data set
     • Dump suppression data set
6. Invoke MVSSERV to test your server (see Testing and Diagnosis).