Again, this is not an enhancement request to IBM or anything. I don't do that. It's just speculation to see if some of the things I'd like would be of any interest to others. If I knew how to submit an idea SHARE without all the justifications (which I am absymal at - I can make anything boring). But I've been doing some work where I really need in depth information about VSAM clusters. So I've been doing a LISTCAT ENT(...) ALL and parsing the output. Which is bad because the output could possibly change and break my code. So here are some ideas for some facilities that I think would be of use. If IBM doesn't want to, perhaps an OEM such as Dino Software might.
1) REXX - It would be nice if I could do the equivalent of a LISTCAT and get the parsed output back in a stem variable. Or super enhance LISTDSI to work with VSAM cluster. 2) Java - the above, but with output that is easy to use in Java. Perhaps a CLASS with an entire set of routines. 3) LISTCAT - how about the ability to output in XML and JSON format using new parameters such as XMLOUT(ddname) and JSONOUT(ddname)? JSON is JavaScript Object Notation. I think this would be helpful in the Web arena. 4) Better diagnostics when I do a DEFINE or DELETE in REXX. Right now, I must OUTTRAP and parse up the output (badness) to determine the cause within my program and take appropriate action. Again, for REXX, perhaps variables or output to a stem variable? 5) Implement all the TSO IDCAMS commands as native UNIX commands. Yes, I know that I can use a REXX script and ADDRESS TSO to do it. I'd prefer a native solution, but I'll make do with REXX for now. Why do I want IBM to do it? Support. If I write it, then I support it. And z/OS UNIX skills at my shop are currently limited to three: me, myself, and I. Yes, I do plan to try to give some training to the others in my group. When we get time. IF we get time. John McKown Systems Engineer IV IT Administrative Services Group HealthMarkets(r) 9151 Boulevard 26 * N. Richland Hills * TX 76010 (817) 255-3225 phone * [email protected] * www.HealthMarkets.com Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message may contain confidential or proprietary information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. HealthMarkets(r) is the brand name for products underwritten and issued by the insurance subsidiaries of HealthMarkets, Inc. -The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company(r), Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of TennesseeSM and The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company.SM ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
