Tricky SYSOUT statement in JCL(Job control Language), and ignore it many times by programmers to understand it correctly.
Why SYSOUT is coded in JCL
- SYSOUT data sets are output files that are designed to be printed rather than stored on DASD or tape.
- how to print multiple copies of a data set without rerunning the entire job and how to send a data set to a printer in the department that needs the output.
Where to code SYSOUT in JCL
- The OUTPUT statement lets you specify many of the options for SYSOUT processing that you would otherwise code on a DD statement.
- The advantage of the OUTPUT statement is that the SYSOUT options can apply to multiple data sets in a job, so you don’t have to code the same parameters on each DD statement.
- You can reduce multiple lines of code by using OUTPUT statement
Syntax for OUTPUT
//name OUTPUT [ ,CLASS=class ]
[ ,CONTROL= {PROGRAM} ]
{SINGLE }
{DOUBLE }
{TRIPLE }
[ ,COPIES= {nnn } ]
{(,(group-value[,group-value…]))}
[ ,DEFAULT= {YES} ]
{NO }
[ ,DEST=destination ]
[ ,FCB=fcb-name ]
[ ,FLASH=overlay-name ]
[ ,FORMS=form-name ]
[ ,JESDS= {ALL} ]
{JCL}
{LOG}
{MSG}
[ ,LINECT=nnn ]
[ ,OUTDISP=(normal-disp[,abnormal-disp]) ]
[ ,PRTY=nnn ]
Explanation:
CLASS- Assigns an output class for SYSOUT data sets.
CONTROL- Specifies the line spacing for each record that’s printed.
COPIES- Specifies how many copies of the data set should be printed.
DEFAULT- Specifies whether or not this OUTPUT statement supplies default SYSOUT processing.
DEST- Specifies a destination for the SYSOUT data set.
FCB- Specifies the forms control buffer image to be downloaded to the printer when printing a special form.
FLASH- Specifies the name of the overlay to be used in printing a special form on a 3800 printing subsystem.
FORMS- Specifies the name of the form on which the SYSOUT data set is to be printed.
JESDS- Specifies the JES system data sets to which this OUTPUT statement applies.
LINECT- JES2 only; specifies the maximum number of lines to be printed on each page.
OUTDISP- JES2 only; specifies the disposition for a SYSOUT data set.
PRTY- Specifies a priority for the output data set.
Key points in OUTPUT statement:
- The OUTPUT statement is used to set options that can apply to multiple SYSOUT data sets within a job.
- An OUTPUT statement can be used to provide default options for all the SYSOUT data sets produced by a job or a job step. Or it can be used only for those data sets that explicitly reference it in their DD statements.
