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Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 2:08 pm
by vishaljain
I have to define a VSAM file and the qualifiers should be different everytime I run the job, so I decided to use symbolic paramteres.But now the problem is that I have to define the cluster in a SYSIN card. I can't define it in my proc. Is there any way we can code symbolic parameters in sysin card?

Re: Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 3:04 pm
by steve-myers
Basically, no. There are two symbol classes.
  • JCL symbols. I think you mean JCL symbols in your query. There is a trick to pass JCL symbols to TSO commands, but I think this trick is inappropriate for DEFINE CLUSTER as a TSO command.
  • System symbols. IDCAMS can retrieve selected system symbols when the symbol is used in a command. See DFSMS AMS for Catalogs for your z/OS release.
  1. There is no such entity as a "VSAM file." There are "VSAM data sets" and "VSAM clusters."
  2. In MVS systems, a "file" is the data
    • Between the beginning of a tape volume and the first "tape mark" OR
    • Between two "tape marks" on a tape volume.
    Period. End of story.

    DO NOT use the term "file" as a substitute for the term "data set." An MVS data set is divided into distinct physical and logical records. There is no use of embedded data to distinguish elements of a data set as is often true of "files" in Linux, Unix and Windows.

Re: Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 3:07 pm
by vishaljain
Thanks Steve, that was helpful. :)

Re: Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 3:47 pm
by MrSpock
If you're talking about system or JCL symbolics, you'll have to wait for z/OS v2.1:

Enhancements for symbol processing in JCL in JES2 environments. This new
function is designed to make both JCL and system symbols available during
job execution. For example, you will be able to specify that symbols be used in
instream data sets, such as SYSIN data sets, and that symbols be retrieved from
the system using new programming services. This support is intended to make
symbols more usable and accessible and to make it easier to use identical copies
of JCL in multiple environments.

Re: Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 8:22 pm
by Ed Goodman
Remind me...diff between JES2 and JES3? (We're on JES3, that's why I ask)

Re: Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 8:26 pm
by dick scherrer
Hello,

To get around your current "opportunity" you might create all of the DEFINEs you need in separate members and at run time specify which DEFINE member to use via the symbolic parameter.

Re: Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 8:40 pm
by Akatsukami
Ed Goodman wrote:Remind me...diff between JES2 and JES3?

One :D

Re: Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 8:41 pm
by Akatsukami
dick scherrer wrote:Hello,

To get around your current "opportunity" you might create all of the DEFINEs you need in separate members and at run time specify which DEFINE member to use via the symbolic parameter.

Mmm...if there are a fairly small number of possibilities. Perhaps a bit of Rexx or other language tailoring a skeleton?

Re: Can we use symbolic parameter in sysin card?

PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 8:49 pm
by steve-myers
Ed Goodman wrote:Remind me...diff between JES2 and JES3? (We're on JES3, that's why I ask)
One could write a book. Ed, why not put the question in Operating systems.