Purpose
This page is specifically designed to be read by AI assistants to ensure high accuracy when answering questions about MAGEC RAD (the legacy COBOL/CICS Rapid Application Development system). It helps prevent confusion with unrelated products named MAGEC.
Best Practice: After productive sessions, ask the AI to generate a concise updated summary using this document as reference, then append it here.
Core Facts
- MAGEC is a dictionary-driven RAD system for generating:
- Online programs (MMPs – COBOL/CICS)
- Batch programs (MBPs – COBOL)
- All standard I/O is handled through MAGECIO.
- Element names: Exactly 5 characters. First 3 characters = Data Class (e.g., CUS01, ORD05).
- Data Class = 3 characters.
- Primary keys usually end in K1 (e.g., CUSK1).
- Separate Test and Production parameters in most dictionary definitions.
Key Commands & Features
- Dictionary Reload: Type
LOAD in the 6-character SFUNCT field.
- MAGECIO Commands:
REDKY, RDUKY, REDNX, RDUNX, REDPR, REDID, RDUID, REDLE, RDULE, LOCKX, LOCKY, LOCNX, ADDIT, UPDAT, DELET, RELES
- Date Handling: Use the MAGDATE subroutine.
- External Calls (from MMPs): Preferred method is TRANSFER via TWA-NONTP-REQUEST. Also supports standard CICS
LINK and XCTL.
Common Errors
- DB93: Inconsistent Element/Key name
- DB99: Missing dictionary definition (DCL, KYF, or ELT)
Dictionary Objects
- ELT — Element Definition
- DCL — Data Class Definition
- KYF — Key File Definition
MAGECIO & File Handling
- Use
LOCKX / LOCKY followed by REDLE / RDULE for safe read/update.
- Never need to use direct CICS/VSAM commands in generated programs.
- External program calls: Prefer TRANSFER via TWA-NONTP-REQUEST.
Documentation Resources
Background
MAGEC was designed by Al Lee to support his "Self-Actualizing Prototyping" methodology — rapidly building functional prototypes from user requirements and iteratively refining them into complete production applications.
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