Chinese/Kanji characters in IDMS on the mainframe

Products

• IDMS
• IDMS - Database

Issue/Introduction

How does IDMS handle Chinese/Kanji characters on the mainframe? Does it require the installation of double-byte character set (DBCS)? Is the DBCS option something that needs to be purchased as an optional IDMS product?

Environment

Release: All supported releases.
Component: DBCS.

Resolution

IDMS handles Chinese/Kanji characters the same way it handles non-EBCDIC alphabets, such as the Japanese Kanji alphabet, and the Korean Han-gul alphabet, with the use of a graphic literal, also known as a G-literal, which is a special type of double-byte character set (DBCS) string.

Previously, DBCS was installed as a separately priced product and required a password. At that time DBCS was installed as an option not a product. Currently, DBCS does not require a password and does not require an LMP key and therefore there is no cost associated with the use of DBCS.

In order to install DBCS, in the SAMPJCL VARBLIST member; ensure the "CA IDMS DBCS" install option is set to YES.

The following manuals explain more on the use of DCBS. Search with keywords "DBCS" and "KANJI" to find the references.

1.  IDD DDDL Reference - Double-Byte Character Set (DBCS) Strings
2.  ADS Reference - Arithmetic and Assignment Commands
3.  IDMS Server - Use the Client on Windows - Windows Registry Information   
4.  Database Administration - Schema Statements                    
5.  Install and Maintain z/OS - Starting Your Product            
6.  System Operation - UCF Operations 
7.  System Generation - System Programs and Tasks   

Optional bit 284 should be enabled.