---
title: "CICS Commands: Return, GoBack, Stop Run, Exit Program"
description: "CICS Exit, Return, Goback, and Stop run commands."
url: https://srinimf.com/2012/03/22/cics-return-goback-stop-run-exit-program/
date: 2012-03-22
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
categories: ["CICS Tips"]
tags: ["cics commands", "CICS tips and Tricks"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# CICS Commands: Return, GoBack, Stop Run, Exit Program

![cics commands](https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cics-commands.jpg?resize=502%2C282&ssl=1)

One of my colleague working for the past few years on CICS. I asked him [what is](https://srinimf.com/2017/03/27/what-is-db2audit-how-it-is-so-important/) the difference, and, he confused why and which scenario we need to give all the above in a CICS  program.

You can learn quickly here:

In realty, only one statement is enough in a CICS program – no need to give all in a program. I am already described in my earlier posts that CICS supports only VSCobol II.

```
EXEC CICS  RETURN
     Transid(name)
     Commarea(data-area)
     Length(data=value)  
END-EXEC 
```

 It returns control to CICS. This will be used in both main and [sub program](https://srinimf.com/2016/04/06/cics-sample-program-for-xctl/). The inside parameters are optional. If we wi give transid, then, we need to give all three.

- Commarea is optional in main pgm. If we give it in a sub pgm, data will be available to main pgm
- Two kinds of errors will occur INVREQ, NOAUTH with Return command.
- EXIT PROGRAM ==> it will used only in with VS Cobol II sub program-with CICS or without. Control will pass to next higher logical level/called program.
- STOP RUN ==>it will be used only in VS Cobol II main program -with CICS or without. Control will pass to CICS.
- GOBACK==> This will be used in both main and sub programs with or without CICS. Control will pass to next higher logical level or CICS.

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