HP-UX SNAplus2 CPI-C Programmer's Guide (June 2003)

Concepts
What Is CPI-C?
Chapter 1 37
The Conversation Process
A conversation begins when both of the following happen:
• One program (the invoking program) instructs SNAplus2 to start
another program (the invoked program) and allocate a conversation
between the two programs.
• The invoked program notifies SNAplus2 that it is ready to
communicate with the invoking program.
During the conversation, the two programs exchange status information
and application data. Typically, a conversation ends when a program
instructs SNAplus2 to deallocate the conversation.
Conversation Types
A conversation can be mapped or basic.
In general, mapped conversations are used by application programs.
These are programs that accomplish tasks for end users. Mapped
conversations are less complex than basic conversations. In a mapped
conversation, the programs send and receive data one record at a time.
Basic conversations are normally used by service programs. These are
programs that provide services to other local programs. Basic
conversations provide an experienced LU 6.2 programmer with a greater
degree of control over the transmission and handling of data. For further
information, see “Basic Conversations”.