Problem with creation of tape dataset

GaganGarg · Active User Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 134 Location: India

Hi,

I am facing a problem with the tape file. I am creating a tape dataset that i want to retain for 3 years and i am using the below set of statements in the JCL:
//*
//IEFBR02 EXEC PGM=IEFBR14,COND=(4,LT)
//SYSUDUMP DD SYSOUT=Z
//DD01 DD DSN=ITMA.ITMB471.ITEMDEL.QSAM,
// DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),UNIT=ETAPE,
// LABEL=(1,SL,RETPD=1095),
// DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=138,BLKSIZE=27600)
//*

When i am submitting the Job, Maxcc is zero but when i am accesing the above file in a cobol program by subitting another job, it is showing JCL ERROR and message is SPACE is not specified for the file 'ITMA.ITMB471.ITEMDEL.QSAM'. (although I think there is no need to specify SPACE for tape datasets, yet I also tried to create the file by giving SPACE parameter but that also doesn't work). Please let me know if I am making any mistake while creating the dataset.
Thanks

expat · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:31 pm

1) Is the tape cataloged by the creation job.
2) Why not just create the tape in the COBOL program.
3) How are you addressing the tape in the job with the COBOL program.

expat · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:37 pm

Come to think of it, as IEFBR14 does not open any datasets, by the time that a tape mount is requested the job should have finished.

A quick test confirms that, so points 1 & 2 above are pretty valid.

GaganGarg · Active User Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 134 Location: India

I can't create the file in COBOL program, I have to open the Tape file in EXTEND mode in program so that i can append the data in the file every time when I run the program. I have given DISP=MOD for this tape dataset in the job executing the COBOL program.

expat · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:43 pm

Well, if the file name is NOT in the catalog then it has not been cataloged, so you can not access it via the catalog, In fact, from my test the tape mount was requested but the job had finished before any tape was mounted.

e.g. //DDNAME DD DSN=Data set name,DISP=MOD

So maybe it is the site ACS routines that are stepping in and saying that this dataset does not exist therefor I will create it, and the default is DASD. But as ACS routines are site specific .........

Anyway, you have not answered point 3 above.

Why can you not create the tape in the COBOL program, if you write to the tape witha a DISP=MOD it will MOD the data. Have you tried this. What happened.

If you really do insist on going about thistask in the way that you want to, then use a proper program like IEBGENER to create the tape file, but also be aware of any site specific TMS restrictions for using pre existing tapes.

GaganGarg · Active User Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 134 Location: India

I am using the file in the Job executing the COBOL program as given below:

//ITMB471 EXEC PGM=ITMB471
//SYSIN DD DSN=OPERA12.XXXX.JCLLIB(ITML471),DISP=SHR
//FKLTFILE DD DSN=ITMA.FKLT.FILE.VSAM,DISP=SHR
//XXXXDEL DD DSN=ITMA.ITMB471.ITEMDEL.QSAM,DISP=MOD
//EXCPFILE DD DSN=ITMA.FKLT.FILE.EXCEP,DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSUDUMP DD SYSOUT=*

Robert Sample · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 5:00 pm

GaganGarg, there is a link to the manuals at the top of the page. Click on it, find the JCL Language Reference manual, and read it. If you do so, you will find that DISP=MOD will create a data set if it does not already exist, and append data to the end of an existing data set.

Have you verified your site policies? Some sites will not allow the expiration data of a tape to be changed by an applications programmer -- the site support group must do so.

Finally, even if your site allows you to change an expiration date with JCL, using IEFBR14 will not do it. The tape data set must be opened, generally, for the expiration date change to be effective and IEFBR14 will not open the data set.

GaganGarg · Active User Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 134 Location: India

Ok. Thanks a lot expat.

Anuj Dhawan · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 5:09 pm

expat · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 5:19 pm

Bill Dennis · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 8:18 pm

GaganGarg,

Use IEBGENER to create the tape as SYSUT2 and with a SYSUT1 as DUMMY, instead of program IEFBR14.

dbzTHEdinosauer · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 8:34 pm

correct me if I am wrong:

IEFBR14 will only allocate, but not OPEN or CLOSE the file

IEBGENER will allocate, OPEN, write if any requests exist, and CLOSE.

dick scherrer · Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:39 pm

Hi Dick,

A bit of clarification. Neither IEFBR14 nor IEBGENER allocate the file. This is done before the program begins execution.

The other is as you say. . .

@GaganGarg,

Suggest you make sure the volume being MODed onto is not the only copy of the data. If you are part way thru an update to the tape and the job abends, you have a mess. . .