Allow User To Filter What Resources Are Shown In The CICS Tree

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Enhancing the CICS Tree Experience: Filtering Resources for Efficient Development

Introduction

The Zowe Explorer bar, with its limited screen real estate, poses a challenge for CICS developers who need to navigate and manage various resources efficiently. The CICS view, being a crucial part of this bar, requires a more intuitive and customizable interface to cater to the diverse needs of developers. In this article, we will explore the concept of allowing users to filter what resources are shown in the CICS tree, enabling them to focus on the most relevant information and streamline their development process.

The Challenge of Limited Screen Real Estate

The Zowe Explorer bar is designed to provide a comprehensive view of various resources, including CICS, in a single interface. However, the limited screen real estate available in this bar can make it difficult for developers to navigate and manage their resources effectively. The CICS view, in particular, has a small portion of the bar allocated to it, which can lead to clutter and make it challenging for developers to find the information they need quickly.

The Need for Customization

To address the limitations of the Zowe Explorer bar, we propose introducing a feature that allows users to filter what resources are shown in the CICS tree. This feature will enable developers to customize their view and focus on the resources that are most relevant to their work. By hiding or showing specific resources, developers can optimize their workflow and reduce distractions.

Filtering Resources: A Blanket Setting

The initial implementation of this feature could involve a blanket setting that allows developers to choose which items they are interested in seeing. This setting would provide a basic level of customization, enabling developers to hide or show specific resources based on their needs. For instance, most developers may never need to access CICS Task, so it could be hidden by default and made available for users to show if they require it.

Possible Future Directions

While the initial implementation would provide a basic level of customization, there are several possible future directions that could take this feature to the next level. Some potential enhancements include:

  • Role-based filtering: In this approach, users could select their role (e.g., Java developer or Web services developer) to bring in different sets of resources. This would enable developers to access the resources most relevant to their specific role, further streamlining their workflow.
  • Project-level persistence: Another possible direction is to persist the setting at a project level. This would allow developers to see different resources by default depending on the code they have open. This feature would enable developers to tailor their view to the specific project they are working on, reducing the need to constantly switch between different resource sets.

Benefits of Filtering Resources

The ability to filter what resources are shown in the CICS tree offers several benefits to CICS developers. Some of the key advantages include:

  • Improved productivity: By hiding or showing specific resources, developers can focus on the most relevant information and reduce distractions, leading to improved productivity.
  • Enhanced workflow: Customization of the CICS tree enables developers to tailor their view to their specific needs, streamlining their workflow and reducing the need to constantly switch between different resource sets.
  • Reduced clutter: Filtering resources helps to reduce clutter in the CICS tree, making it easier for developers to navigate and manage their resources effectively.

Conclusion

The Zowe Explorer bar, with its limited screen real estate, poses a challenge for CICS developers who need to navigate and manage various resources efficiently. By introducing a feature that allows users to filter what resources are shown in the CICS tree, we can provide a more intuitive and customizable interface that caters to the diverse needs of developers. The initial implementation of this feature could involve a blanket setting, while possible future directions include role-based filtering and project-level persistence. By enhancing the CICS tree experience, we can improve productivity, enhance workflow, and reduce clutter, ultimately benefiting CICS developers and their development process.
Frequently Asked Questions: Filtering Resources in the CICS Tree

Introduction

The concept of filtering resources in the CICS tree has generated significant interest among CICS developers. To address the questions and concerns of our community, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that provide a deeper understanding of this feature and its benefits.

Q&A

Q: What is the purpose of filtering resources in the CICS tree?

A: The primary goal of filtering resources in the CICS tree is to provide a more intuitive and customizable interface for CICS developers. By hiding or showing specific resources, developers can focus on the most relevant information and reduce distractions, leading to improved productivity.

Q: How does filtering resources in the CICS tree work?

A: The initial implementation of this feature involves a blanket setting that allows developers to choose which items they are interested in seeing. This setting would provide a basic level of customization, enabling developers to hide or show specific resources based on their needs.

Q: Can I customize the CICS tree to show only the resources I need?

A: Yes, with the filtering feature, you can customize the CICS tree to show only the resources you need. This would enable you to focus on the most relevant information and reduce clutter in the tree.

Q: Will filtering resources in the CICS tree affect my workflow?

A: No, filtering resources in the CICS tree is designed to enhance your workflow, not hinder it. By providing a more intuitive and customizable interface, you can tailor your view to your specific needs and reduce the need to constantly switch between different resource sets.

Q: Can I persist the filtering settings at a project level?

A: Yes, one of the possible future directions for this feature is to persist the setting at a project level. This would allow developers to see different resources by default depending on the code they have open.

Q: Will filtering resources in the CICS tree affect my ability to access certain resources?

A: No, filtering resources in the CICS tree is designed to provide a more intuitive and customizable interface, not restrict access to certain resources. You will still be able to access all the resources you need, but with a more streamlined and efficient workflow.

Q: Can I filter resources based on my role?

A: Yes, one of the possible future directions for this feature is to allow users to select their role (e.g., Java developer or Web services developer) to bring in different sets of resources. This would enable developers to access the resources most relevant to their specific role.

Q: How will filtering resources in the CICS tree be implemented?

A: The initial implementation of this feature will involve a blanket setting that allows developers to choose which items they are interested in seeing. Future enhancements may include role-based filtering and project-level persistence.

Conclusion

The filtering feature in the CICS tree is designed to provide a more intuitive and customizable interface for CICS developers. By hiding or showing specific resources, developers can focus on the most relevant information and reduce distractions, leading to improved productivity. We hope this Q&A article has addressed your questions and concerns about this feature and its benefits.

Additional Resources

For more information on the filtering feature in the CICS tree, please refer to the following resources:

  • [Feature Request #123]: Filtering Resources in the CICS Tree
  • [Documentation]: Customizing the CICS Tree
  • [Community Forum]: Discussing the Filtering Feature

We welcome your feedback and suggestions on this feature. Please share your thoughts and ideas with us to help shape the future of the CICS tree.