On 2/9/2013 12:46 PM, Joel C. Ewing wrote:
If you are saying you expect alternate DDNAME parameters to work with other utility programs or some previously written program for which this feature is not documented because it works with IDCAMS, that is unreasonable. Standard MVS calling linkage conventions only define how to pass parameters. The meaning attached to those parameters is totally up to the called program and undocumented behavior should not be expected. In the standard MVS program environment, unlike UNIX environments, there is no concept of a STDIN/STDOUT/STDERR that is always available to a program and always externally changeable.
I suspect you misread the "rant". It had nothing to do with linkage conventions, and you have failed to specify why you consider it unreasonable. The OP asked for an ATTACH parameter; my take on this is that all system services that work with a DD name would check the current TCB for an override list, and apply the alternate name, if any. To be generalized, it would need an "old" DD name paired with the replacement, either a name or hex zeroes.
I have several programs where such a facility would be useful, so I can sympathize with the request.
Gerhard Postpischil Bradford, Vermont ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
