Override File Location ES_ALLOC_OVERRIDE

Introduction

This example will focus on Micro Focus Enterprise Server and the Mainframe Sub-System (or ES/MSS). When a Region (or Server Instance) is configured within Micro Focus Enterprise Server to run batch jobs (i.e. submit JCL) a default directory is defined and used for placement of new physical files that are allocated by a job. This is an example of how to catalog a new data set and override the base configuration and place the physical file in an alternate directory that may be on a different physical device. The technique provides the capability to key off any portion of a catalog record to control the target directory where the physical files will reside.

We have made a significant effort to ensure the documents and software technologies are correct and accurate. We reserve the right to make changes without notice at any time. The function delivered in this version is based upon the enhancement requests from a specific group of users. The intent is to provide changes as the need arises and in a timeframe that is dependent upon the availability of resources.

Copyright © 1987-2025
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved

Preparation

This section describes the two simple tasks required to prepare to override the default file location within Enterprise Server.

A Sample Configuration File

The following is an example of a configuration file (CATMAPA1.cfg) that will place certain file in a directory other than the default directory specified within Enterprise Server.

#  ----------------------------------------------------------------
# This example will focus on Micro Focus Enterprise Server and the
# Mainframe Sub-System (or ES/MSS). When a Region (or Server) is
# configured within Micro Focus Enterprise Server to run batch jobs
# (i.e. submit JCL) a default directory is defined and used for
# placement of new physical files that are allocate by a job.
# This is an example of how to catalog a new data set and override
# the base configuration and place the physical file in an
# alternate directory.. The technique provides the capability to
# key off any portion of a catalog record to control the target
# directory where the physical files will reside.

#
#  All keywords must be in UPPER case.
#
#  Each rule can occupy only 1 line.  Examples are below:
#
#  The rules are applied to any new catalog record in the order
#  in which they occur in this file.  The first rule that matches
#  upon an offset within the catalog record will be used.
#
#  Note:  To have the catalogs retain their portability it is a
#         good practice to keep the "SUBDIR" directories at the
#         same level or in directories that are children of the
#         directory containing the CATALOG.DAT file. In the
#         example below the CATALOG.DAT file may be located in
#         "C:\SimoSam1\DEVL\DATA\". This is not an absolute
#         requirement. However, this will help with the
#         maintenance and support efforts.
#
#  To enable set the following environment variable:
#
#  ES_ALLOC_OVERRIDE=d:\dirname\CatMapA1.cfg
#
#  The name of the configuration file can be any valid Windows
#  file name.  In the following examples there is one rule that is
#  keying off the High Level Qualifier or HLQ (SIMOTIME.WRK1), one
#  that is keying off the fact that it is a “spool” record, etc.
#  ----------------------------------------------------------------
#
#  Key off of the DATACLAS value.
OFFSET(449) VALUE(PRINTOUT) SUBDIR(<CATALOGFOLDER>\PRINTOUT)
OFFSET(449) VALUE(TAPECLAS) SUBDIR(<CATALOGFOLDER>\TAPE)
#  Key off of the spool indicator
OFFSET(313) VALUE(S) SUBDIR(<CATALOGFOLDER>\SPOOL)
#  Key off of the UNIT from DD
#  OFFSET(805) VALUE(CART) SUBDIR(C:\SimoSAM1\DEVL\DATA\TAPE)
#  Key off of the VOLUME value.
#  OFFSET(314) VALUE(CSIWRK) SUBDIR(C:\MVSP0030\VOLUME)
#  Key off of the DSORG
#  OFFSET(324) VALUE(VSAM) SUBDIR(C:\MVSP0030\VSAM)
#  Key off of the LRECL
#  OFFSET(469) HEXVALUE(0063) SUBDIR(C:\MVSP0030\LRECL99)
#  Key off of the first leftmost bytes of the dataset name
OFFSET(1) VALUE(SIMOTIME.DATA.GDGROUP1)  SUBDIR(D:\A1GDGLIB)
OFFSET(1) VALUE(SIMOTIME.TAPEFILE.) SUBDIR(<CATALOGFOLDER>\TAPE)
OFFSET(1) VALUE(SIMOTIME.WRK1.)     SUBDIR(<CATALOGFOLDER>\WRK1)
OFFSET(1) VALUE(SIMOTIME.TEXT.)     SUBDIR(<CATALOGFOLDER>\TXT1)
OFFSET(1) VALUE(SIMOTIME.LRG2.)     SUBDIR(d:\SORTWORK)
OFFSET(1) VALUE(SIMOTIME.LRG3.)     SUBDIR(c:\SORTWORK)
#  ----------------------------------------------------------------

Setting the Environment Variable

The location of the configuration file must be defined to Enterprise Server by setting the following environment variable.

c:\> set ES_ALLOC_OVERRIDE=d:\dirname\CATMAPA1.cfg  

Note: The name of the configuration file can be any valid Windows file name.

Execution and Review

This section describes the JCL Member to test the configuration of Enterprise Server and the Configuration File and the expected results.

The JCL Member

The JCL Member (ALOCATJ1.jcl) creates two files. The first file will be placed in an alternate directory based on information in the configuration file. The second file will be placed in the directory defined within Enterprise Server. The following is a listing of the contents of the JCL Member.

//ALOCATJ1 JOB SIMOTIME,CLASS=1,MSGCLASS=0,NOTIFY=CSIP1
//* *******************************************************************
//*       ALOCATJ1.JCL - a JCL Member for Batch Job Processing        *
//*       This JCL Member is provided by SimoTime Technologies        *
//*           (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved             *
//*             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
//*                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
//* *******************************************************************
//*
//* Text   - Create Sequential Data Sets on disk using IEBGENER.
//* Author - SimoTime Technologies
//* Date   - January 24, 1996
//*
//* The first job step (QSAMDELT) will delete any previously created
//* file.
//*
//* The second job step (QCRTDIN1) will create a new file and place
//* the physical file into the alternate directory defined in the
//* configuration file identified by the ES_ALLOC_OVERRIDE
//* environment variable.
//*
//* The third job step (QCRTDIN2) will create a new file and place
//* the physical file into the default directory defined within
//* Enterprise Server.
//*
//* This set of programs will run on a mainframe under MVS or on a
//* Personal Computer with Windows and Micro Focus Mainframe Express.
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step 1 of 3, Delete any previously created files...
//*
//QSAMDELT EXEC PGM=IEFBR14
//FILEWRK1 DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.WRK1.ALOCATDD,DISP=(MOD,DELETE,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,DSORG=PS)
//FILEWRK2 DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.WRK2.ALOCATDD,DISP=(MOD,DELETE,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,DSORG=PS)
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step 2 of 3, Create and populate a new QSAM file...
//*
//QCRTDIN1 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DUMMY
//* :....1....:....2....:....3....:....4....:....5....:....6....:....7.
//SYSUT1   DD  *
11**********************************************
12***  This is a test for ES_ALLOC_OVERRIDE  ***
13**********************************************
/*
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.WRK1.ALOCATDD,
//             DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step 3 of 3, Create and populate a new QSAM file...
//*
//QCRTDIN2 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DUMMY
//* :....1....:....2....:....3....:....4....:....5....:....6....:....7.
//SYSUT1   DD  *
21**********************************************
22***  This is a test for ES_ALLOC_OVERRIDE  ***
23**********************************************
/*
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.WRK2.ALOCATDD,
//             DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//

The Catalog and File Locations

The following directories were used in this example.

The directory for the CATALOG.DAT was defined within Enterprise Server as C:\SIMOSAM1\DATA
The Default Allocated Dataset Location  was defined within Enterprise Server as C:\SIMOSAM1\DATA\APPL
The directory for the SPOOL Files was defined in the configuration file as C:\SIMOSAM1\DATA\SPOOL
The directory for the 1st data file was determined in the configuration file as C:\SIMOSAM1\DATA\WRK1
The directory for the 2nd data file was determined within Enterprise Server as C:\SIMOSAM1\DATA\APPL

Summary

When a Region (or Server Instance) is configured within Micro Focus Enterprise Server to run batch jobs (i.e. submit JCL) a default directory is defined and used for placement of new physical files that are allocated by a job. This is an example of how to catalog a new data set and override the base configuration and place the physical file in an alternate directory. This document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.

In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.

SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For additional information about SIMOTIME Services or Technologies please contact us using the information in the  Contact or Feedback  section of this document.

Software Agreement and Disclaimer

Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Technologies. Once the fee is received by SimoTime the latest version of the software, documentation or training material will be delivered and a license will be granted for use within an enterprise, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the software without the written permission of SimoTime Technologies.

SimoTime Technologies makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software, documentation or learning material for any purpose. It is provided "AS IS" without any expressed or implied warranty, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this software, documentation or training material.

Downloads and Links

This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an internet connection, the second group of documents will require an internet connection.

Note: A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.

Current Server or Internet Access

The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.

    Explore the JCL Connection for more examples of JCL functionality with programming techniques and sample code.

    Explore An Enterprise System Model that describes and demonstrates how Applications that were running on a Mainframe System and non-relational data that was located on the Mainframe System were copied and deployed in a Microsoft Windows environment with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

    Explore The ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.

    Explore The File Status Return Codes that are used to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connection.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page for access to white papers, program examples and product information. This link requires an Internet Connection

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site for more information about products (including Micro Focus COBOL) and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Glossary of Terms

    Explore the Glossary of Terms for a list of terms and definitions used in this suite of documents and white papers.

Contact or Feedback

This document was created and is maintained by SimoTime Technologies. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or feedback please use the following contact information.

We appreciate hearing from you.

Company Overview

SimoTime Technologies was founded in 1987 and is a privately owned company. We specialize in the creation and deployment of business applications using new or existing technologies and services. We have a team of individuals that understand the broad range of technologies being used in today's environments. Our customers include small businesses using Internet technologies to corporations using very large mainframe systems.

Quite often, to reach larger markets or provide a higher level of service to existing customers it requires the newer Internet technologies to work in a complementary manner with existing corporate mainframe systems. We specialize in preparing applications and the associated data that are currently residing on a single platform to be distributed across a variety of platforms.

Preparing the application programs will require the transfer of source members that will be compiled and deployed on the target platform. The data will need to be transferred between the systems and may need to be converted and validated at various stages within the process. SimoTime has the technology, services and experience to assist in the application and data management tasks involved with doing business in a multi-system environment.

Whether you want to use the Internet to expand into new market segments or as a delivery vehicle for existing business functions simply give us a call or check the web site at http://www.simotime.com