User-Defined System Security Rules › Using Terminal Autotasks

Using Terminal Autotasks

What is an Autotask

A terminal autotask is a task that you associate with a logical terminal. Through this association, you direct the CA IDMS system to initiate the preassigned task when either of these conditions occurs:

• The ENTER NEXT TASK CODE prompt would normally be displayed.
• A top-level program or dialog issues a DC RETURN request that specifies no next task code.

Suppose, for example, that a user who signs on to a CA IDMS system is assigned logical terminal LT12012. If this logical terminal is associated with an autotask, the system automatically initiates the autotask when the user connects to the terminal. After the user enters the name of the system, instead of displaying the ENTER NEXT TASK CODE prompt (which allows the user to choose what task to invoke), the terminal displays whatever screen is mapped out by the program associated with the preassigned autotask.

Securing a Terminal Autotask

Since terminal autotasks must be able to execute without a signed on user, they must be unsecured. If tasks are secured internally, you can unsecure terminal autotasks by assigning them to a category on which PUBLIC holds EXECUTE privilege. Alternatively, you can add an occurrence override to turn off security for each terminal autotask in the SRTT.

If tasks are secured externally, you must use an occurrence override in the SRTT to unsecure a terminal autotask.

When Should You Use an Autotask

Use an autotask for workers at one terminal who require access to a limited number of data processing functions.

For example, you can use an autotask for clerks who enter orders into a purchasing system. Or you can set up an autotask that executes a single manufacturing application. The application itself can perform a variety of functions, such as bill of material processing and master production scheduling.

In both of these cases, you create a menu for display when the autotask is invoked. This menu lists each option the user can choose, including a signon and signoff option if appropriate.

You can also use an autotask to invoke a site-defined signon menu. Set up this menu to appear when users connect to the terminal. After signing on to this menu, users invoke any task for which they are authorized.

How to Use an Autotask

To use an autotask, you must do the following:

• Associate an autotask with selected logical terminals.
• Optionally, establish signon and signoff functions as part of the autotask menu.
• Optionally, associate physical terminals with particular devices.
• Optionally, check a user's authority to use a particular terminal.

These topics along with the related design suggestions are discussed as follows.