The JCL Connection
Job Control Language
  Table of Contents  v-24.01.01 - indexjcl.htm 
  Introduction
  Descriptions with Examples
  Quick References with Examples
  Syntax Check, Basic Utility and Sort
  Conditional Processing
  COND Keyword
  IF THEN ELSE Constructs
  Manage Partitioned Data Sets (PDS's)
  Working with Procedures (PROC's)
  Using PROC's, Create Multiple PDS's
  Parameter Substitution, Procedure Overrides
  How to use Concatenated Data Sets
  Merge or Concatenate Three Files
  How to use Temporary Data Sets
  How to use INCLUDE Statements
  Convert ++INCLUDE to Standard JCL
  Submit a Job from within a Job
  Internal Reader & Job Submit via IEBGENER
  Internal Reader & Job Submit via COBOL
  Utility Programs for File Management
  IDCAMS Define & Repro, COBOL Compare
  Create a KSDS of File Status Codes
  Define VSAM Cluster with Unique Name
  JOB Query of JCL from COBOL
  Compile and Link Programs
  Set & Submit Variables within JCL
  Parameter Passing, JCL to COBOL
  Generation Data Groups (GDG's)
  Record Counts and Summary Totals
  Test the Default File Allocation Override
  DATACLAS, Physical File Location
  Process Tape Files
  SORT Examples
  Read VSAM, Sort, Print Mailing Labels
  Define an Alternate Collating Sequence
  Diagnostic Aids
  Job Restart & CORE_ON_ERROR
  Scan JCL Members
  White Papers
  Applications and Platform Flexibility
  Applications Examples by Function
  Summary
  Software Agreement and Disclaimer
  Downloads and Links
  Current Server or Internet Access
  Internet Access Required
  Glossary of Terms
  Contact or Feedback
  Company Overview

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Introduction

The JCL Connection describes and demonstrates the mainframe Job Control Language (JCL) using links to sample or example programs and documentation. The JCL members are written to run as ZOS (or MVS) batch jobs under control of the Job Entry System (JES2 or JES3) on an IBM mainframe or a Linux, UNIX or Windows System with Micro Focus.

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

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Descriptions with Examples

This section provides links to Program Examples with documentation that focus on the development, testing and deployment of batch jobs that use the mainframe Job Control Language (JCL) to submit and execute jobs.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Quick References with Examples

Job Control Language (or JCL) specifies how programs are executed on the mainframe. JCL functions are the interface between the programs and the operating system. Since JCL has the ability to define data set names, parameters and system output devices the individual programs can be flexible in their use because these items are not hard coded in the programs. Without the need for re-compiling, the same program may be used to access different data sets and behave differently based on parameters specified in the JCL. This suite of documents and programs provides an introduction to the JCL Structure and basic syntax of the language.

Review the Documentation for this suite of program members. Link to an Evaluation zPAK Option that includes the program members, documentation and control files.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Syntax Check, Basic Utility and Sort

This suite of programs provides an example of how to do syntax checking of a JCL member without executing the job steps. The first two JOB steps use IEFBR14 to delete previously created files and then uses IEBGENER to create a new file. The next two JOB steps use the SORT utility to copy a file and to sort a file. A job step is included that will do a case insensitive sort.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Conditional Processing

This suite of programs provides an example of how mainframe JCL can do conditional job step processing and parameter passing.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section COND Keyword

This suite of programs provides an example of how mainframe JCL can do conditional job step processing and parameter passing using the COND= keyword.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section IF THEN ELSE Constructs

This suite of programs provides an example of how mainframe JCL can do conditional job step processing and parameter passing using the IF THEN ELSE Constructs.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Manage Partitioned Data Sets (PDS's)

This suite of programs and documentation will describe how to create and manage a Partitioned Data Set (PDS). It is quite common to refer to a PDS as a Library. The following examples use the IEFBR14 or IEBCOPY programs along with a DD statement in the JCL to create, compress or delete a PDS. Also, sample programs are provided to copy members into or from a PDS.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Working with Procedures (PROC's)

This section provides examples of how to use JCL, Procedures (or PROC's) and utility programs such as IDCAMS and IEBGENER to create PDS's, Data Files and VSAM Clusters.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Using PROC's, Create Multiple PDS's

This suite of programs provides examples of how to use JCL with Procedures (or PROC's) to create PDS's.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Parameter Substitution, Procedure Overrides

This suite of programs provides examples of how to use JCL and Procedures (or PROC's) with parameter substitution and overrides. The purpose of this example is to show how to use ZOS (or MVS) JCL and Procedures (or PROC's) with substitution parameters and overrides (or PROC override). The examples will run on an IBM Mainframe with ZOS or in a Micro Focus Environment using Mainframe Express or the Server Enterprise Edition.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section How to use Concatenated Data Sets

This suite of programs and documentation will describe and demonstrate the data set concatenation function provided with JCL, Utility Programs and COBOL. It is possible to process more than one data set as a single data set by concatenating the DD statements.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Merge or Concatenate Three Files

This suite of programs will describe and demonstrate how to merge or concatenative multiple files of various record lengths into a single file. This package includes a job (JCL Member) that will create the test files. The techniques for merging the files will use IEBGENER, IDCAMS or SORT.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section How to use Temporary Data Sets

This suite of programs and documentation will describe and demonstrate how to use the double ampersand (&&) with the DD statement and the DSN parameter to define and access a temporary data set with a unique name.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section How to use INCLUDE Statements

This section provides examples of how to use INCLUDE statements in JCL and how to define a catalog entry for the library (or Folder) that contains the INCLUDE Members.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Convert ++INCLUDE to Standard JCL

The ++INCLUDE is a function that is supported by CA-Panvalet for JCL Members stored and used on an IBM Mainframe. This function is not supported in the Micro Focus environment. When migrating a batch application that uses this function it will be necessary to change the ++INCLUDES to standard JCL statements that are supported in a Micro Focus environment and the mainframe.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Submit a Job from within a Job

It is possible to submit a job from within a job. The technique used to do this is nothing more than an 80-80 copy file function. The job to be submitted (or JCL member to be executed) is copied to the "Internal Reader". In other words, the input file is a JCL Member and the output file is the "Internal Reader". The following two sections provide examples for submitting jobs from within a job.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Internal Reader & Job Submit via IEBGENER

This suite of programs will describe how to submit a second job from within the current running job using IEBGENER. A small sequential file is created by the second JCL member.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Internal Reader & Job Submit via COBOL

This suite of programs will describe how to submit a second job from within the current running job using a COBOL program. The advantage of using a COBOL program is access to the records in the JCL member being submitted. The JCL may be submitted "as is" or modified.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Utility Programs for File Management

This section provides example of how to use some of the utility programs provided for use with mainframe JCL to create, copy and perform other task required when managing data files or VSAM Data Sets.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section IDCAMS Define & Repro, COBOL Compare

This example will use IEBGENER to create a sequential file. This file will be used by IDCAMS to populate a VSAM, KSDS. The KSDS will then be copied to a sequential file with variable length records.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Create a KSDS of File Status Codes

This example will use IEBGENER to create a sequential file. This file will be used by IDCAMS to populate a VSAM, KSDS. The KSDS will information about file status codes.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Define VSAM Cluster with Unique Name

This example will use IDCAMS to DELETE/DEFINE a VSAM Cluster with a user defined data set name. This example describes how to use a Single JCL Member to Define VSAM Data Sets with Unique Names.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section JOB Query of JCL from COBOL

This sample program demonstrates how to access JCL specifications from a COBOL program using the SimoTime Job Query program. Information provided with the JOB and DD statements may be obtained by a simple call. This suite of programs requires a Windows System with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

Review the Documentation for this suite of program members.

Note:  For additional information about the SimoTime Job Query program please contact the helpdesk@simotime.com

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Compile and Link Programs

This suite of programs provides examples of how to Compile and Link programs.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Set & Submit Variables within JCL

The purpose of this suite of programs is to describe how to define and use a variable within a JCL member or Procedure member.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Parameter Passing, JCL to COBOL

This suite of programs provides examples of how JCL can pass a parameter string to the COBOL program that will be executed.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Generation Data Groups (GDG's)

This suite of sample programs will describe and demonstrate how to define a Generation Data Group (GDG). Once the GDG is defined the creation of a Generation Date Set (referred to as a generation or GDS) within the group is discussed. The COBOL program is written using the COBOL/2 dialect but works with COBOL for MVS and COBOL/370.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Record Counts and Summary Totals

This suite of programs and documentation will describe and demonstrate an approach for reading a file, calculating record counts and producing summary totals for a set of pre-defined numeric fields. The approach uses two COBOL programs that were generated using SimoTime technology. The programs are generated on a Windows System with Micro Focus COBOL and may be compiled and executed on an IBM Mainframe or a Linux, UNIX or Windows System with Micro Focus COBOL.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Test the Default File Allocation Override

This suite of programs uses IEBGENER to create two test files that will be physically placed in different folders on a Windows platform running Micro Focus Enterprise Server. 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.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section DATACLAS, Physical File Location

This suite of programs will describe and demonstrate how to use the JCL, DATACLAS function to override the default physical file location in a Micro Focus Enterprise Server environment.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Process Tape Files

This suite of programs will describe and demonstrate how tape files are processed in a Micro Focus Enterprise Server environment.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section SORT Examples

This section provides links to additional documents that focus on the development, testing and deployment of batch jobs that use the SORT Utility program.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Read VSAM, Sort, Print Mailing Labels

This suite of programs provides an example of how a mainline application processes a VSAM, KSDS or Indexed File containing Name, Address information and creates a sorted (by postal code sequence) sequential file containing mailing labels that are formatted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 labels across of six lines for each label. This example uses a two-dimensional array to build the label-printing output. The COBOL programs are written using the COBOL/2 dialect but also work with COBOL for MVS and COBOL/370.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Define an Alternate Collating Sequence

This suite of programs will describe and demonstrate how to define an alternate collating sequence (ALTSEQ) that will do a case insensitive sort or an EBCDIC collating sequence for an ASCII-encoded file.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Diagnostic Aids

This section provides documentation and examples of programs that may be used to assist in a problem determination effort in a development or production environment.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Job Restart & CORE_ON_ERROR

This suite of programs (COBOL and JCL) will describe and demonstrate the Job Restart capabilities that are available in Micro Focus Enterprise Server. Also, this suite of programs includes a description and demonstration of the diagnostic capabilities for the CORE_ON_ERROR function of Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Scan JCL Members

This suite of programs will scan JCL members and extract file information based on the IDCAMS or DD statements.

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Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section White Papers

This section provides links to additional documents that focus on the development, testing and deployment of batch jobs that use the mainframe Job Control Language (JCL).

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Applications and Platform Flexibility

This document describes and demonstrates how an application that is currently running on a Mainframe System can be transferred and re-deployed (or migrated) to a Windows System with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Applications Examples by Function

This link provides a List of Batch Job Examples Organized by Function. This link describes and demonstrates how to configure an environment on a Windows System that will run batch applications that are currently running on a mainframe. Batch jobs for creating a new customer file or printing customer mailing labels are also included.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Summary

The purpose of this document is to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers that are interested in supporting batch applications that are dependent on a JES/2 or JES/3 architecture that is used on a Mainframe System. Links to additional documents, programming examples and professional services are provided.

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.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section 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.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section 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.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Current Server or Internet Access

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

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the Link to Internet icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the Link to Server icon.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the Assembler Connection for more examples of mainframe Assembler programming techniques and sample code.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the COBOL Connection for more examples of COBOL programming techniques and sample code.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the Numbers Connection for additional information about the structure and processing of numeric data items (or numeric fields).

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the non-Relational Data Connection for more examples of accessing methodologies and coding techniques for Data Files and VSAM Data Sets.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the SQL Connection for more examples of how to create, manipulate and delete Relational Data Bases. The COBOL programs are written to compile and execute on a Windows System with SQL Server and Micro Focus Enterprise Server or an IBM Mainframe System with DB2.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   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.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore an Extended List of Software Technologies that are available for review and evaluation. The software technologies (or Z-Packs) provide individual programming examples, documentation and test data files in a single package. The Z-Packs are usually in zip format to reduce the amount of time to download.

Link to Internet   Link to 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.

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

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connect.

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.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Glossary of Terms

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

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section 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.

1. Send an e-mail to our helpdesk.
1.1. helpdesk@simotime.com.
2. Our telephone numbers are as follows.
2.1. 1 415 763-9430 office-helpdesk
2.2. 1 415 827-7045 mobile

 

We appreciate hearing from you.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section 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

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The JCL Connection, Job Control Language for ZOS
Copyright © 1987-2025
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved
When technology complements business
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