Audience
Programmers, Computer operators, System analysts, system programmers, and others interested in improving coding techniques and exploring JCL's features. This course provides an in-depth look at z/OS JCL, it explores Generation Data Groups, Conditional JCL, and Procedures, and the use of UNIX files before rounding off with an introduction to various utility programs.
Prerequisites
The participant should have a basic understanding of JCL and the operating systems functions. The participants should have a basic understanding of the operating environment and operating system functions, especially JCL. Knowledge of TSO/ISPF is essential if not using our WEB submission facility.
Duration
2 days. Hands on.
Course Objectives
On completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Create and maintain a GDG.
- Exploit the use of Conditional JCL.
- Create in-stream procedures.
- Create catalogue procedures.
- Use symbolic parameters
- Use procedure overrides
- Access UNIX files via JCL
- Choose an appropriate utility for a task
Course Content
JCL Revision
Evolution of JCL
JCL syntax
Statement types
Operand types
JCL Error points
Comprehension quiz
Generation Data Groups
GDG Terminology
Absolute generations
Relative generations
Creating generations
Retrieving generations
Building a base entry
Creating a GDS
Using a Model DSCB method
Using the DATACLAS method
Listing GDG information
Altering the base entry
Re-run using Version Numbers
Deleting entries
IEFBR14 method
IDCAMS method
Delete base and its associations
Comprehension questionnaire
5 practical exercises
Conditional JCL
Information available at step end
IF / THEN / ELSE construct
Relational expressions
The NOT operator
Order of precedence
Eligible statements within Conditional JCL
Ineligible statements within Conditional JCL
What is executed unconditionally?
Example without an ELSE
Example with an ELSE
Nested IF statements
Comprehension questionnaire
3 practical exercises
JCL Procedures
Procedure definition
Locating a procedure
Default libraries (JES2 and JES3)
User libraries (JES2 and JES3)
JCLLIB
In-stream
Search order
Procedure construction
Naming
Exclusions
Invocation
Procedure statement overrides & additions
EXEC statements
DD statements
OUTPUT statements
Symbolic parameters
Identification
Assigning default values
Overriding default values
The SET statement
INCLUDE statement
Nested procedures
Comprehension questionnaire
8 practical exercises
Accessing UNIX files
File systems HFS vs ZFS
Security
PATH=
PATHDISP=
PATHMODE=
PATHOPTS=
Creating a new file
Overwriting an existing file
BPXBATCH Utility
Deleting a UNIX file
Re-run-able jobs
Reading an existing file
Obtaining a list of files
6 practical exercises
Using Utilities
Review of why a utility might be used, discussions on:
Allocating data space
Backing up a data set
Changing a data set's LRECL
Compressing a PDS
Copying a data set
Deleting a data set
Listing the catalogue
Listing a PDS directory
Printing a data set
Renaming a data set
Restoring a data set
Segmenting a data set
ADRDSSU
IDCAMS
IEBCOPY
IEBDG
IEBEDIT
IEBGENER
IEBPTPCH
IEBUPDTE
IEFBR14
IKJEFT01 – (Batch TSO)
Comprehension quiz
4 practical exercises
Additional information
This course could be combined with the standard JCL course to produce a comprehensive 5-day event. Alternatively the course can be delivered as a self-paced course via our WEB interface.