Rexx PGM holding a dataset

sathyaraj · New User Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: India.

Hi,

I have a job whic creates a file in a REXX program in the first step.

I try to use that file in another program in the second step, and I get the message that the file is in use by some other user.

I used FINIS and FREE in my program but still am facing the issue.

Any insights please?

Thanks,
Sathya.

dick scherrer · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:04 am

Hello,

If the first step has rexx code that creates the file and the step ends, the file should be free (whether it freed in the code or not - i believe).

How is the first step being executed? How is the second step being executed? Is it in fact a separate jcl step?

It may help if you post the jcl for the first step and the problem step.

superk · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:36 am

Who is the file in use by?

sathyaraj · New User Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: India.

kacks7 · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:07 pm

i think your program is stopped executing before freeing the file.

add one more line with 'say' something next to freeing the file and check are you getting the 'say' or not.

or

check with trace.

sathyaraj · New User Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: India.

Bala,

I am using this program in a job. I wont be able to use the Trace option. But I already tried to trace it in online excecution and the control reaches to the statements below the free statement.

Thanks,
Sathya

expat · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 4:24 pm

sathyaraj · New User Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: India.

Sorry,

I was not aware that it could be done when running it in a job as well. Anyways I confirmed that control flows past the FREE statement. And that is not the purpose of this post. Please lets not argue with this.

If I have made something wrong with the way I coded or is there any restriction to use the file created in one step in the following steps please guide me on that.

I tried the same with a member of PDS and it works fine. Does that ring a bell somewhere?

Thanks,
Sathya.

kacks7 · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:48 pm

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:19 pm

did You check properly the return code from the free ???

sathyaraj · New User Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: India.

Hi,

I checked the return code after FREE and it is 0. Am compeltely clueless on what is holding the dataset back.

Thanks,
Sathya

superk · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:31 pm

I think we all need to take a few steps back on this topic. As Dick already stated originally, there's no possible way that a REXX exec that created a dataset in one step can have any exclusive control over it in an entire other step. I asked you for some proof that the exec has a hold on that dataset, and not some other process or user. I think you need to forget about this being a REXX issue and look somewhere else (i.e. the second step that you've referred to).

A few questions I have:

- Why are you creating a dataset in your exec with a TSO ALLOCATE command instead of using the JCL to do it? Where is there a CATALOG command? Is there more to the process that what you're showing us?
- Why do you need a seperate step to run an FTP? Why not put all of that process into a single exec?

tomehta · New User Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 98 Location: India

Hello All,
I am also getting a simialr problem.
Description :

In my rexx script
Step 1: I am deleting the dataset if it already exists

PeterHolland · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 1:54 pm

tomehta,

try using PROFILE NOPREFIX

tomehta · New User Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 98 Location: India

Hi
I did a work around like below which somehow is working, (no sure how )

Pedro · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 1:53 am

The basic problem for tomehta is the inconsistent use of quotes in the name.

sathyaraj · New User Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: India.

All,

It is resolved now. But still I cant understand how it worked.. I ll try to explain..

My job had three steps..

step1- create a file using rexx
step2- FTP the file
step3 - delete the file (IEFBR14)

I was having the issue with the second step. Error msg was that the file is being held by some one.

Then as a trial and error, I removed the delete step and the setup worked like a charm

Now I have the set up like
step1 - delete the file (IEFBR14)
step2- create a file using rexx
step3- FTP the file

This works fine. Any idea how my IEFBR14 in the third step could have held the file that was tried for FTP in second step?

Cheers,
Sathya.

superk · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 4:51 pm

I haven't really understood much of this topic from the very beginning. Why would you go through the whole process of creating a dataset, FTP'ing it, and then deleting it? Why wouldn't you just use a temporary dataset? And, if you already have a REXX exec written and in use, why not invoke the FTP from it and save a whole step?