datastack operations using CList

Vishwamurthy · New User Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 57 Location: India

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if we can perform datastack operations using CList?
If yes, please provide me pointers to the material on CList-datastack operations

Thanks in advance,
Vishwamurthy

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:08 pm

if You' d clarify better Your requirements You might get better help

anyway it would be wiser to use REXX rather than CLIST

Vishwamurthy · New User Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 57 Location: India

Hi Enrico,

I do not have any requirement (as such). I'm just curious to know if there is anyway you can access the mainframe datastack through a CList als oo, the way we do in REXX

I'm good at CList and I'm starting to grow more fascinated to it than to REXX. Hence, I'm trying to find if there's anyway I do not have to write REXX exec for basic datastack operations

Thank you

expat · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:35 pm

What is the mainframe datastack - 35 years on mainframes and it is the very first time I have heard that expression

CLIST is becoming more and more rare as the far superior capabilities of REXX become more widely used.

Anuj Dhawan · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:17 pm

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:48 pm

Vishwamurthy · New User Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 57 Location: India

Thanks Enrico
No luck with the link (I already have it in PDF)

I guess datastack is a feature of REXX and not available standalone on the mainframe (from expat's comments)

Correct me if I'm wrong

daveporcelan · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:36 pm

Vishwamurthy - At one I was in the same position as you.

I was good at Clist.

My manager told me I was no longer allowed to write in Clist (at least while they were paying for my time).

I could only write in REXX. I also had to re-write all the Clists I had written into REXX as my spare time allowed.

I am so glad he did that. That was 1989 (twenty years ago), and I have not written a new CLIST since (I have modified others kicking and screaming).

The point here is (if you haven't got it already)... DO NOT WRITE IN CLIST!!

If you are good it Clist, then you will be really good at REXX.

Fascinating.

Pedro · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:58 am

I agree with everyone else: learn rexx.

But having said, that...
The rexx reference manual describes the IRXSTK routine which is used to manipulate the rexx data stack. It might be possible to write an assembler routine that calls IRXSTK and which you could call from somewhere else.

MBabu · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:53 am

The stack is part of TSO, not Rexx per se. but you probably don't want to code at that level. If you just need a place to store data, you might consider ISPF variables or tables or maybe a temporary data set.

And I echo everyone elses sentiment. CLIST=*pain*, Rexx=*happiness*

Vishwamurthy · New User Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 57 Location: India