On Sep 16, 2014, at 3:32 AM, R.S. wrote:
------------------SNIP------------------------------------------
I read the above as "people often use IEFBR14 to create/delete
datasets, while they shouldn't do it".
Question: what is the "proper" purpose of IEFBR14?
IMHO this is the only use of IEFBR14 by the users. OK, maybe some
tricks with CONDs, but it's marginal.
BTW: troubles with IEFBR14 create/delete usually are clearly
visible as JCL error or "data set in use".
My €0.02
About 80 percent (maybe 90) your right.
The 10-20 percent I have seen are something like data set not expired
or some other condition that is unusual yes and needs digging into
the FM to read the dozen or so obscure reason code that are not
clear. I would suggest that they are (usually) always fixable. That
is why there is a production control or some human element that can
look at the FM and fix it.
When VSAM first came out it caused (and still does IMO) people that
are less than say technician to misread them as they have only gotten
more complicated with 2 or 3 error codes. I just love it myself when
the FM manual splits them over 2 or more pages. I have been known to
throw a manual after a bad night and I see a error code and a reason
code and and mumble code it drives you up in the wall.
One night about 38 years ago I got a reason code that would have
struck terror in a mere mortal. It had to do with GDG processing in a
CVOL. I had to dive for the PLMs (Program logic manuals) to even get
a close grasp of what was going on, AFter reading for 20 minutes and
carefully parsing out logic I was able to give myself an idea of what
happened . Fast forward to the next morning (oh did I forget to say
this was at 4AM?) The nightly production meeting was held and I had
to get up and explain WTF had happened and how I fixed it. There was
a grizzled old female first sergeant that didn't like my explanation
as she knew everything. I had the 2 PLM's and gave them to her and
told her in no uncertain terms that she had better fight with IBM
then. Everybody in the room was shocked when I stood up to her.
Ed
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions,
send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
