What is the significance of Keyword parameters?

All other parameters except positional parameters in the JOB statement are called keyword parameters. Information passed in keyword parameters used by the JES (Job Entry System).

What are a keyword parameter in JCL?

Mostly used keyword parameters in job card?

• CLASS Parameter
• MSGCLASS Parameter
• MSGLEVEL Parameter
• PRIORITY Parameter
• REGION Parameter
• TIME Parameter
• NOTIFY Parameter
• RESTART Parameter
• SCHENV Parameter

CLASS Parameter -

What is the class parameter in job card?

CLASS parameter is used to classify the jobs. The classification is based on how much time they are running. i.e., SHORT RUN or LONG RUN jobs.

How can we get the CLASS parameter details?

CLASS parameter definition can change from project to project. In some projects, CLASS=A may assign to short-term jobs. Other projects may assign CLASS=A to long-term jobs. It is always advisable to check with your team lead, system operations, and production support teams to get the CLASS parameter (This applies only to the PRODUCTION jobs).

How many CLASS values are available in JCL?

In total, 36 different values are allowed as CLASS parameter values.

Is the CLASS parameter is mandatory?

Optional

If the CLASS parameter is not coded, what will happen?

System installation default CLASSS parameter applies to the JOB.

Where CLASS parameter can be coded?

In JOB Card. At the job level.

How can we get the CLASS parameter details?

It is always advisable to check with your team lead, system operations, and production support teams to get the CLASS parameter.

MSGCLASS Parameter -

What is MSGCLASS in a job card?

MSGCLASS parameter is used to specify the output device to where the system and JCL messages are routed (written and printed).

How many MSGCLASS values are available in JCL?

In total, 36 different values are allowed as MSGCLASS parameter values.

Is the MSGCLASS parameter is mandatory?

No. It is optional.

If the MSGCLASS parameter is not coded, what will happen?

System installation default MSGCLASS parameter applies to the JOB.

Where MSGCLASS parameter can be coded?

In JOB Card. At the job level.

How can we get the MSGCLASS parameter details?

It is always advisable to check with your team lead, system operations, and production support teams to get the MSGCLASS parameter.

MSGLEVEL Parameter -

Explain MSGLEVEL parameter and its significance?

MSGLEVEL parameter controls the printing of job messages in the output listing or job log (i.e., in the SPOOL by default).

What are the possible combinations for MSGLEVEL?

MSGLEVEL=([statements][,execution-status])

Is the MSGLEVEL parameter is mandatory?

No. It is optional.

If the MSGLEVEL parameter is not coded, what will happen?

System installation default MSGLEVEL parameter applies to the JOB.

What is the default MSGLEVEL parameter value?

MSGLEVEL=(1,1)

What is the meaning of MSGLEVEL=(1,1)?

Prints all statements when JOB ended either normally or abnormally.

Where MSGLEVEL parameter can be coded?

In JOB Card. At the job level.

PRIORITY (PRTY) Parameter -

What is the significance PRTY parameter in job card?

PRTY parameter is used to assign a selection priority to jobs within the same class. JES system uses the PRTY value to decide the execution sequence of the jobs when they have same CLASS value.

What is the range of values for the PRTY parameter in a job card?

The priority number value ranges from 0-15 in JES2 and 0-14 in JES3. Higher number will have the higher priority during the execution.

Is the PRTY parameter is mandatory?

No. It is optional.

If the PRTY parameter is not coded, what will happen?

System installation default PRTY parameter applies to the JOB.

How many possible values of PRTY parameter in job card?

The priority number value ranges from 0-15 in JES2 and 0-14 in JES3. Higher number will have the higher priority during the execution.

Where PRTY parameter can be coded?

In JOB Card. At the job level.

TIME Parameter -

What is the significance of TIME parameter in job card?

TIME parameter is used to specify the maximum CPU utilization time allowed for the job to execute.

Explain what does TIME=1440 mean?

It specifies that the job can use the processor for 24 hours.

Is the TIME parameter is mandatory?

No. It is optional.

If the TIME parameter is not coded, what will happen?

System installation default TIME parameter applies to the JOB.

For how long a job can be executed continuously in a mainframe?

248 Days.

What happen if TIME=NOLIMIT?

It specifies that the job can use the processor for an unlimited time.

What happen if TIME=MAXIMUM?

JOB can use the processor for 248.55 days (357912 minutes).

Where TIME parameter can be coded?

At the JOB level as well as STEP level.

When can a job time-out occur? How to overcome that?

Time out error occurs when the job submitted with insufficient time. To overcome it, increase the TIME parameter value.

REGION Parameter -

What is significance of REGION parameter?

REGION parameter is used to specify the amount of central or virtual memory required to execute the job.

Is the REGION parameter is mandatory?

No. It is optional.

If the REGION parameter is not coded, what will happen?

System uses the installation default value.

Where REGION parameter can be coded?

At the JOB level as well as STEP level.

NOTIFY Parameter -

What is significance of NOTIFY parameter?

NOTIFY is used to notify the user about the job status (either successful or unsuccessful).

Is the NOTIFY parameter is mandatory?

No. It is optional.

If the NOTIFY parameter is not coded, what will happen?

The job status notification will not be received.

Where NOTIFY parameter can be coded?

At the JOB level.

If the submitter of a job wants to inform another user about the job completion, how can it be done?

Specify the other user name with NOTIFY parameter.

RESTART Parameter -

What is RESTART?

RESTART is used to restart the job execution from a specific step (at which step the job failed).

How do you restart a step in JCL?

RESTART=stepname

How do you restart a proc from a particular step?

RESTART=proc-name.stepname

What will happen if you attempt to restart a job in the middle of a JCL // IF .... // ENDIF?

Job resume execution from the first step AFTER the // ENDIF.

Where RESTART parameter can be coded?

At the JOB level.

RD Parameter -

Does JCL support automatic restart?

Yes

How to do automated RESTART when a job abends?

RD=R

ADDRSPC Parameter -

What is the significance of the ADDRSPC parameter in the EXEC statement?

ADDRSPC parameter is used to specify the storage type that is needed by the system to process the job.

SCHENV Parameter -

What significance of SCHENV parameter?

SCHENV parameter specifies the WLM (Work Load Manager) scheduling environment that is associated with the current job when submitted.

TYPERUN Parameter -

What is the significance of TYPERUN parameter?

TYPRUN is used to request special job processing like scanning jobs for syntax errors, library errors, etc.

How do you check the syntax of a JCL without running it?

TYPERUN=SCAN

What does parameter TYPRUN = HOLD mean?

Requests the system to put the job on hold.

Frequently Asked Questions -

What are the keyword parameters in job card?

What does the parameter CLASS in the JOB statement mean?
Explain the usage of coding class parameters in JCL.
What is the purpose of coding CLASS parameter in job statement?

What is the role of Class A in a job card?

What does the parameter MSGCLASS in the JOB statement mean?

What does parameter MSGLEVEL on the JOB statement mean and what is the advantage of using it.

What is the purpose of the time parameter in JCL?
What is the purpose and meaning of the TIME keyword and what JCL statement is it associated with?

What does the TIME parameter signify? What does TIME=1440 mean?

What is the parameter to be passed in the job card for the unlimited time, irrespective of the job class?

What is the function of the region parameter in JCL?
Why do you want to specify the REGION parameter in a JCL step?

What is the purpose and meaning of the REGION keyword and what JCL statement is it associated with?

What is the purpose of coding NOTIFY parameter in job statement?
What is the role of the notify keyword parameter in a job card?

How do you restart a PROC from a particular step?

What is the significance of ADDRSPC parameter in EXEC statement?

Which parameter is used to check the syntax of a JCL without executing it?

What does the typrun=hold do in a JCL statement?

What does the statements: TYPRUN=SCAN and TYPRUN=HOLD do in a JCL statement?
What does the statements: typrun=scan and typrun=hold do in a JCL statement?

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