Define and use Variables JCL, SET and Substitute a Variable

Introduction

This suite of programs is a mainframe JCL example that will describe how to define (or name) a variable value and then use or change the variable by its referenced name.

The source code, data sets and documentation are provided in a single zipped file called JCLSUB01.ZIP. This zipped file may be downloaded from the SimoTime Web site.

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.

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The SET Statement

The SET statement is used to define a variable by name and set an initial value for the variable. The format of the SET statement is as follows.

....:....1....:....2....:....3....:....4....:....5....:....6....:....7.
//         SET DSNUT1=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB998D1
//         SET DSNUT2=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB100D1

The variable may then be referenced in subsequent Job Steps within the JCL member or within a PROC that is executed by the JCL member. To reference the variable simply precede the name with an ampersand (for example, &DSNUT1).

SET Statement & Substitute Variable

The preceding section described how to SET a value to a variable name. The following two statements show how to reference the variable by name. It is a simple matter of preceding the name with an ampersand.

//SYSUT1   DD  DSN=&DSNUT1,DISP=SHR
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=&DSNUT2,DISP=(MOD,KEEP,KEEP)

The following shows the spooled output (or SYSOUT) of the expansion of the variable prior to the job being submitted for execution.

 135 //SYSUT1   DD  DSN=&DSNUT1,DISP=SHR
     SUBSTITUTION - DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB998D1,DISP=SHR
 136 //SYSUT2   DD  DSN=&DSNUT2,
     SUBSTITUTION - DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB100D1,

Test Job, JCL with a PROCedure

The primary purpose of this sample job is to show the use of a single procedure (or PROC) to handle different files based on the variables passed from the JCL member that executes the PROC.

JCL Member, Parameter Substitution

This is an eight (8) step job. The first job step (MAKENEAT) does the housekeeping and removes files that may be left from a previous execution of the job. Steps 2-5 make (or create) the primary files and the secondary files. Steps 6-8 will demonstrate the actual use of the variables and the use of IEBGENER for appending one file to another.

The following (JCLSUBJ1.jcl) is the JCL Member.

//JCLSUBJ1 JOB SIMOTIME,CLASS=1,MSGCLASS=0,NOTIFY=CSIP1
//* *******************************************************************
//*        This program 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   - Demonstrate parameter substitution.
//* Author - SimoTime Technologies
//* Date   - January 24, 1996
//*
//* Step 1, MAKENEAT will delete any previously created files.
//* Step 2, MKSUB100 will create a new Base File (SUB100D1).
//* Step 3, MKSUB200 will create a new Base File (SUB200D1).
//* Step 4, MKSUB998 will create a new Base File (SUB998D1).
//* Step 5, MKSUB999 will create a new Base File (SUB999D1).
//* Step 6, AP998001 will add a 998 record to the base file (SUB100D1).
//* Step 7, AP999001 will add a 999 record to the base file (SUB100D1).
//* Step 8, AP999002 will add a 999 record to the base file (SUB200D1).
//*
//* This set of programs will run on a mainframe under MVS or on a
//* Personal Computer with Windows and Micro Focus Mainframe Express.
//*
//* 1. Demonstrate how to use IEFBR14 with DD statements to delete
//*    files that have been created by a previous execution of this
//*    job.
//* 2. Demonstrate how to use IEBGENER to create and populate a new
//*    record sequential file with eighty (80) byte fixed length
//*    records.
//* 3. Demonstrate how to use the SET and &variablename to use
//*    a single (common or shared) PROC to process different files.
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step   1 of 8, Delete any previously created file...
//*
//JOBSETUP EXEC PGM=IEFBR14
//SUB100D1 DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB100D1,DISP=(MOD,DELETE,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//SUB200D1 DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB200D1,DISP=(MOD,DELETE,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//SUB998D1 DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB998D1,DISP=(MOD,DELETE,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//SUB999D1 DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB999D1,DISP=(MOD,DELETE,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step   2 of 8, Create and populate a new QSAM file (SUB100D1).
//*                This will be a primary file that will have a
//*                secondary files appended in later job steps.
//*
//MKSUB100 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DUMMY
//* :....1....:....2....:....3....:....4....:....5....:....6....:....7.
//SYSUT1   DD  *
001 Record 101
002 Record 102
003 Record 103
/*
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB100D1,
//             DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step   3 of 8, Create and populate a new QSAM file (SUB200D1).
//*                This will be a primary file that will have a
//*                secondary file appended in a later job step.
//*
//MKSUB200 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DUMMY
//* :....1....:....2....:....3....:....4....:....5....:....6....:....7.
//SYSUT1   DD  *
001 Record 201
002 Record 202
003 Record 203
/*
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB200D1,
//             DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step   4 of 8, Create and populate a new QSAM file (SUB998D1).
//*                This is a secondary file that is used to append
//*                records to a primary file.
//*
//MKSUB998 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DUMMY
//* :....1....:....2....:....3....:....4....:....5....:....6....:....7.
//SYSUT1   DD  *
998 Record 998
/*
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB998D1,
//             DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//*
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step   5 of 8, Create and populate a new QSAM file (SUB999D1)...
//*                This is a secondary file that is used to append
//*                records to a primary file.
//*
//MKSUB999 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DUMMY
//* :....1....:....2....:....3....:....4....:....5....:....6....:....7.
//SYSUT1   DD  *
999 Record 999
/*
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB999D1,
//             DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
//             STORCLAS=MFI,
//             SPACE=(TRK,5),
//             DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DSORG=PS)
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step   6 of 8, Append the content of SYSUT2 to SYSUT1 within
//*                a Job Step using the SET statement to define a
//*                variable. Use the variable by referencing with
//*                the name preceded by an ampersand.
//*
//         SET DSNUT1=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB998D1
//         SET DSNUT2=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB100D1
//AP998001 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DUMMY
//SYSUT1   DD  DSN=&DSNUT1,DISP=SHR
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=&DSNUT2,
//             DISP=(MOD,KEEP,KEEP)
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step   7 of 8, Append the content of SYSUT2 to SYSUT1 by setting a
//*                variable value within a Job Step using the SET
//*                statement to define a variable.
//*                Execute a procedure (or PROC). From within the PROC
//*                use the variable by referencing with
//*                the name preceded by an ampersand.
//*
//         SET DSNUT1=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB999D1
//         SET DSNUT2=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB100D1
//AP999001 EXEC JCLSUBP1
//SYSOUT   DD  SYSOUT=*
//*
//*
//* *******************************************************************
//* Step   8 of 8, Append the content of SYSUT2 to SYSUT1 by setting a
//*                variable value within a Job Step using the SET
//*                statement to define a variable.
//*                Execute a procedure (or PROC). From within the PROC
//*                use the variable by referencing with
//*                the name preceded by an ampersand.
//*        Note:   This step performs the same function and executes
//*                the same PROC as the preceding step.
//*                However, since the SET statements define a different
//*                value to the variables (DSNUT1 znd DSNUT2) the PROC
//*                will append a different file to a different primary
//*                file.
//*
//         SET DSNUT1=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB999D1
//         SET DSNUT2=SIMOTIME.DATA.SUB200D1
//AP999002 EXEC JCLSUBP1
//SYSOUT   DD  SYSOUT=*
//*

JCL and Procedure (or PROC)

This procedure is executed multiple times by the primary JCL member. The primary JCL member must set the two (2) variables name DSNUT1 and DSNUT2. The following procedure will append the file named by DSNUT2 to the end of the file named by SYSUT1.

The following (JCLSUBP1.prc) is the PROC Member (or JCL Procedure).

//* *******************************************************************
//*        JCLSUBP1.prc - a JCL Procedure Batch Job Processing        *
//*      This JCL Procedure is provided by SimoTime Technologies      *
//*           (C) Copyright 1987-2018 All Rights Reserved             *
//*             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
//*                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
//* *******************************************************************
//*
//* Subject: Use IEBGENER to append SYSUT2 to the end of SYSUT1
//* Author:  SimoTime Technologies
//* Date:    January 1,1998
//*
//* This PROC needs &DSNUT1 and DSNUT2 defined by the JCL member
//* that is executing this procedure.
//*
//* //       SET DSNUT1=AAAA.BBBB.CCCC
//* //       SET DSNUT2=AAAA.BBBB.DDDD
//* //       EXEC JCLSUBP1
//*
//*********************************************************************
//JCLSUBP1 PROC
//PRCSUBS1 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DUMMY
//* :....1....:....2....:....3....:....4....:....5....:....6....:....7.
//SYSUT1   DD  DSN=&DSNUT1,DISP=SHR
//SYSUT2   DD  DSN=&DSNUT2,DISP=(MOD,KEEP,KEEP)
//*
//         PEND
//*

Summary

The purpose of this suite of programs is to describe how to define and use a variable within a JCL member or Procedure member. This document may be used as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.

This document may be used 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 document and the links to other documents are intended to provide a choice of alternatives.

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.

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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.

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the 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 icon.

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

    Explore the COBOL Connection for more examples of COBOL 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 connect.

This suite of programs and documentation is available to download for review and evaluation purposes. Other uses will require a SimoTime Software License. Link to an Evaluation zPAK Option that includes the program members, documentation and control files.

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

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