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parm values in IEFBR14


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bvarun.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 10:29 am
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Hi we have different files used in our proc, to differentiate we used overides for the file, high level qualifiers.

However there is a single IEFBR14 step as first step of proc which has parm of override fields

Code:
//BR14 EXEC PGM=IEFBR14,PARM='&CV&EHLQ'     
//* 



me and my teamies are clueless on what this particular step does.
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prino

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:01 am
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It makes sure that the parms are used in the proc, to prevent JCL errors, and it sets an RC=0 that may be needed to enable condition code checking on the first real step.
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bvarun.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:09 am
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wow I learnt new stuff in jcl today,, thanks prino icon_smile.gif
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Bill Woodger

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:35 pm
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Well, I've either learned something, misunderstood something, or fallen for somehting :-)
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bvarun.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 2:07 pm
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Bill,

i am pondering What could be misunderstood something, or fallen for somehting here ?

Would you please share if you dont mind.
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Bill Woodger

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:17 pm
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Why would the first step need to check an RC?

What would the importance be of "making sure" that the parms are used?
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Garry Carroll

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:18 pm
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prino wrote:
It makes sure that the parms are used in the proc, to prevent JCL errors, and it sets an RC=0 that may be needed to enable condition code checking on the first real step.


I don't see how it makes sure that parms are used in the proc ? If they're there and unresolved you still get JCL error.

Garry.
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prino

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:50 pm
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Bill Woodger wrote:
Why would the first step need to check an RC?

What would the importance be of "making sure" that the parms are used?


In order to bypass it with a stepxxx.cond override. If there is no condition code, you cannot bypass the first step of a proc.

Suppose you've got one dataset using these symbolics and it's removed from the possibly long proc. By having the symbolics in the IEFBR14 parameter, the proc will not give a JCL error, because the symbolics are still used.
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dick scherrer

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:56 pm
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Hello,

Showing only this BR14 step does not provide the info needed (at least for me) to answer.

If you post the PROC, we will probably be able to provide different replies.
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bvarun.

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:08 pm
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prino is right..


It makes sure that the parms are used in the proc.

For example: if some symbolic overide is used in job, but commented in proc. It will give you jcl syntax error. if we use BR14 step with overrides in parm in proc as a first step, whether overrides are used or not in the proc later. it will not give jcl syntax error.

It will be helpful for DEV testing. i tried it in my shop
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dick scherrer

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 8:11 pm
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Hello,

Quote:
It makes sure that the parms are used in the proc.
The way this is often addressed is by placing initial/default values on the PROC statement. I see no reason to have an extra step.

Maybe i am missing something?
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prino

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 8:24 pm
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dick scherrer wrote:
Hello,

Quote:
It makes sure that the parms are used in the proc.
The way this is often addressed is by placing initial/default values on the PROC statement. I see no reason to have an extra step.

Maybe i am missing something?

Yes you are. If the use a procedural parameter is removed from a proc by commenting out the JCL statement on which it occurs, without it also being removed from the proc itself, you will get a JCL error for an unused symbol. The dummy parm for IEFBR14 will prevent this from happening.
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dick scherrer

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:12 pm
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Ahh - now i see what you are getting at icon_smile.gif

I just haven't had that "opportunity" yet . . . icon_wink.gif

Thanks,

d
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Bill Woodger

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:49 pm
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It was "learned something". Thanks prino. Probably means I've never tried to bounce the first step in a PROC, but now when I try and it doesn't work, I'll remember :-)

I think the "JCL Boys" usually tridy-up symbols which are no longer used. I guess, but if I see it somewhere, I'll now know (and not bust someone for it, and afterwards find out what it does....).
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Nic Clouston

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PostPosted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 12:11 am
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Would be nice to have the step commented though - but then we would not come across these little gems. OTH, if the symbolics become unused then they should be removed otherwise it is an incomplete change.
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prino

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PostPosted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 12:40 am
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Nic Clouston wrote:
Would be nice to have the step commented though - but then we would not come across these little gems. OTH, if the symbolics become unused then they should be removed otherwise it is an incomplete change.

Yes, but if you need to come in at 02:42 and use a temporary copy of the procedure, not having to check if a variable is used does have its advantages.
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