Dynamic JCL

lanand_hps · New User Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 82 Location: chennai

Hi,
My requirement is to read a file and decide on the number of steps.

Input file :
SAMP1
SAMP3
SAMP5

If my input file has 3 records, i need to create a jcl with 3 steps.
And i need to pass the variable that i read in input file since other steps has this field as a qualifer in DD name. Is this possible??

Thanks,
Anand

expat · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:24 pm

Yes, assuming that the three steps all use the same program and DD names, then using REXX and ISPF file tailoring will do what you want.

Or you can use REXX to contain the hardcoded JCL and spill it out to another dataset / INTRDR - Not a method I like.

lanand_hps · New User Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 82 Location: chennai

Hi Expat,
The requirement is to do this in JCL...

expat · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:01 pm

/RANT ON
Once more let us clarify exactly what JCL is.

it is Job Control Language.

By itself it does nothing. It is used to invoke the chosen program and to define which datasets are to be used by the DD names associated with the chosen program.

JCL does not have magical powers that solve all problems, JCL is merely the vehicule for telling the processor which program you want it to execute.
/RANT OFF

So take a second read of my original post because it can be actioned in batch, or background (to use another term), which I believe equates to you misconstrued "done in JCL".

So which program will the JCL execute