Copy contents to an output file whose DSN name is dynamic

DKartiya · New User Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Chennai

I need to copy an input file to an output file. The output filename is dynamic and will be decided only during runtime. Is there any possible way using SORT ??

EX:
Jobstep1 – This step executes a pgm which increments a sequence number. Say the incremented Sequence number from the program is 123

Jobstep2 – I need to copy a file say “ABCD.INPUT.FILE” to
an output file named “ABCD.ABXXX.FILE “ where XXX stand for the incremented number 123 (From jobstep1)

The incremented Seq # is arrived upon during run time only.

Regards,
Karthi.

expat · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:03 pm

Not in the same job, as all symbolics are resolved at JCL interpretation.

Maybe this is a good case for using a GDG

Arun Raj · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:04 pm

DKartiya,

Name the output dataset in the copy job as ABCD.AB&NUM..FILE
Write a SET statement for the above symbolic thru your program.
Make the copy job as the successor to the job in which program is executed.

DKartiya · New User Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Chennai

Hi Arun,

I'll check back on this and get back. Thanks for ur reponse.

Regards,
DKartiya

DKartiya · New User Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Chennai

Arun,

My idea of SET statement that it is used for incrementing / decrementing
an occurence number or for moving data to conditional names.

I still tried to find on this and couldnt arrive on anything.
Can you please let me know how the SET needs to be given.
(This will be passed as linkage right. Will it be a problem if i already
have an input variable passed in the linkage.)

Thanks !!

Regards,
Deeba.

expat · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:44 pm

Why not use a GDG which increments the generation number automatically.

DKartiya · New User Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Chennai

These jobs are in the critical path, which needs to run in parallel.
Can't have a GDG!!

expat · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:55 pm

If the same jobs run every cycle, why not just use unique dataset names that do not change.

I still can not see why a GDG will not work, unless you want to use the same GDG base in every job, which sounds a little screwy to me.

DKartiya · New User Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Chennai

When we use the same GDG in 2 jobs, then one of the job will go on hold.
I need to have the jobs run in parallel.

Arun,
Looks like we cannot pass values from COBOL to JCL. The only thing
that we can pass is the RETURN CODE register value. Thanks.

Regards,
DKartiya

superk · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:52 pm

Karthi, can't you just do this:

- copy ABCD.INPUT.FILE to another static dataset name, such as
ABCD.INPUT.FILE.COPY.

- then rename the dataset ABCD.INPUT.FILE.COPY to ABCD.ABXXX.FILE based on the value for XXX as passed by the first jobstep.

DKartiya · New User Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Chennai

SuperK,

copy ABCD.INPUT.FILE to another static dataset name, such as
ABCD.INPUT.FILE.COPY. ==>Yes i can do this

- then rename the dataset ABCD.INPUT.FILE.COPY to ABCD.ABXXX.FILE based on the value for XXX as passed by the first jobstep.

==> I am not sure how we can receive the value XXX from the first job step. If only I can receive, i can do it in the send step iteslf.

I check through the COBOL forum and only came to a conclusion that we
cannot pass values/data from COBOL to JCL.

Let me know if my understanding is right. Thanks !!

Regards,
Karthi.

expat · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:59 pm

Correct, you can not pass values to JCL once the JCL has been interpreted by JES.

Another suggestion, each job writes to a static dataset, and a sucessor job then copies the static dataset to the GDG - even with contention, it should not be for more than a couple of minutes.

DKartiya · New User Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Chennai

Yeap .. Cannot have this done through JCL ... Got to go with other options.

Expat / Arun and Superk - Thanks a lot for ur inputs and patience :-)

Thanks,
Karthi.

Arun Raj · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:38 pm

DKartiya,

Cant you write the value of 'XXX' to a dataset as

expat · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:42 pm

But not in the same job, which the OP has indicated should happen.

Arun Raj · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:54 pm

Douglas Wilder · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:54 pm

Just an “out of the box” thought: Your program could do a dynamic allocation of the output dataset then copy the file or call a utility (like sort) to copy the file.