The referback (backward reference) is used to get the information from the previous steps to the current step. This process reduces redundant coding and syntax errors. "*" is used as a referback operator.

Syntax -

*.ddname
*.stepname.ddname
*.proc-name.ddname
*.proc-name.stepname.ddname

*.ddname	Refers the ddname from previous step.
*.stepname.ddname	Refers the ddname from step stepname.
*.proc-name.ddname	Refers the ddname from PROC proc-name.
*.proc-name.stepname.ddname	Refers the ddname from step stepname in PROC proc-name.

Examples -

Scenario - Using the DCB of INPUT ddname in the same step.

//STEP02   EXEC PGM=PROG
//INPUT    DD DSN=MTH.INPUT.FILE2,DISP=SHR
//OUTPUT   DD DSN=MTH.OUTPUT.FILE,
//            DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
//            SPACE=(CYL,(10,10),RLSE),
//            DCB=*.INPUT

In the above example, MTH.OUTPUT.FILE created with the same DCB as the MTH.INPUT.FILE2.

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