To summarize IBM's long-standing reticence on system symbols in batch. -- A system symbol might clash with an existing JCL proc symbol with unpredictable results. -- A system symbol in batch may get resolved/substituted at an unexpected point in processing.
By contrast, there is less danger in allowing symbols in STC or TSO because (a) substitution is immediate on the current LPAR and (b) STC and TSO JCL is owned by sysprogs who have the knowledge and power to fix any problems. By allowing symbols on a class by class basis, IBM has placed the onus on each shop to determine suitability and move as fast or slow as feels comfortable. Given the complexity of possible problems, I personally think the solution as delivered is both safe and comprehensive. Turning symbol substitution on or off is simple and dynamic. But not 'automatic'. . . J.O.Skip Robinson Southern California Edison Company Electric Dragon Team Paddler SHARE MVS Program Co-Manager 323-715-0595 Mobile 626-543-6132 Office ⇐=== NEW [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Sri h Kolusu Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2018 8:58 AM To: [email protected] Subject: (External):Re: Use of dynamic system symbols in JCL >>> I'd like to see the idea extended to cover 'yesterday', 'previous >>> work day', 'beginning of the month', etc. Sean, You can currently use DFSORT to generate these dates as SET variables for you and then have it in a PDS member so that you can use it as an INCLUDE statements. This will work with any given date. NEXTDday can be used to calculate the next specified day for a date field. So for example if you wanted the next Friday then you would use NEXTDFRI PREVDday can be used to calculate the previous specified day for a date field. So for example if you wanted the previous Wednesday , then you would use PREVDWED. LASTDAYW, LASTDAYM, LASTDAYQ or LASTDAYY can be used to calculate the last day of the week, month, quarter or year for a date field. Thanks, Kolusu DFSORT Development IBM Corporation ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
