difference between symbolic and temporary

johnsingh · New User Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 22

hi,

What is difference between the symbolic and temporary parameter. how to declare it. explain with example.

Thanking in advance.

Rupesh.Kothari · Member of the Month Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 463

HI Johnsingh,

Symbolic parameter means if you write a one catlog procedure in that you have given a

//ddname dd dsn=somename.

if you are calling the catlog procedure each time the data set name is fixed.But you want to change that data set name when ever you want the you can recode that step like this

//dda dd dsn=&s

if you are using that catalog procedure in some ware another job

inthat

//step1 exec=Ctalog procedure name s=abc

this value is repalced in above statement.

//ddname dd dsn=abc

The symbolic parameter is used to override parameters on dd statements.They can be used in both cataloged and instram procedures.provided a convenient means of assigning values to commonly used jcl parameters.Are assigned values in the Proc or EXeC statements.

temporary Parameter: I never heard this parameter. I guess it is temporary dataset

This temporary dataset which ur saying (userid.jobname.jobid.Ddsnumber.xxx ) --which one is right would be created and deleted with in the step itself depends on DISP Paremeter.

Regards
Rupesh

sathish_rathinam · New User Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 59 Location: india

hi john,
we refer to a temporary dataset by &&(datasetname) in the dd statement ,which is deleted after the job completion.
regards,
sathish

mmwife · Super Moderator Joined: 30 May 2003 Posts: 1592

Hi sathish,

You are correct but you can also name a temp ds using only one &. But you cannot use the same name as a symbolic in the same proc.

I think this prompted John's ques.