Publications

• Download product information

• Release Notes

• Product versions

• Replace PRO/JCL with SmartJCL: A Project Report

• What has to be done in case of TWS upgrades?

• How a big bank used SmartJCL in a QA System

Product description

Despite all predictions to the contrary, the number of mainframe jobs continues to grow. As a result, old JCL has to be modified and new JCL has to be created. But production JCL cannot normally be tested. The upshot: New or modified JCL is a potential cause of errors in production. SmartJCL eliminates this at the source thus reducing the number of abends dramatically.  

But most sites are already using a JCL checking program, so why change? 
The answer is simple: SmartJCL offers great value for money; not only the purchase price but also the maintenance.

Functional Overview

• SmartJCL validates the syntax of all JCL statements. This rules out frequent causes of errors such as missing continuation characters and incorrect parameters.
• SmartJCL can be called by an edit macro directly from the ISPF editor. 
• SmartJCL can be called as a batch program: Complete production sequences can be checked in advance. Jobs can be selected using lists or OPC fields such as application ID, owner or workstation. 
• SmartJCL has interfaces to Control-M and TWS.
• SmartJCL allows validation of site specific standards by using the REXX interface.
• SmartJCL checks disposition parameters and corresponding file allocations for logical mistakes. If a job tries to read a file with DISP=SHR and the file does not exist, SmartJCL returns an error.
• SmartJCL validates GDG processing.
• SmartJCL checks the availability of programs and procedures. 
• SmartJCL can read JCL directly from Librarian libraries.

ISPF Edit Macro

SmartJCL can be called from the ISPF editor. Error messages are displayed as NOTE lines. Labels enable users to locate "incorrect" statements using the L(ocate) command. Advantages are: 

• Jobs can be checked and corrected during editing. 
• Messages are displayed in the editor right at the place where the error was found.
• A summary of all errors at the beginning of the job makes it possible to jump to them directly using the locate command.
  Handling is simple. 
• The user does not need any special knowledge, training or manuals. 
  

Scheduler Interfaces

One of the main advantages of SmartJCL is the integrated scheduler interface for IBM's TWS (OPC) and BMC's Control-M. Variables are substituted by the corresponding values, JCL can be correctly validated.

REXX Interface

SmartJCL has an integrated REXX interface. It allows to adapt SmartJCL flexible and easily to customer specific needs, from simple verification of company standards up to complex handover systems. The interface is designed as a REXX "function package".

• All JCL statements can be accessed for verification and modification
• The Function Package contains special functions for JCL handling, e.g. Qualifier("USER.PROD.TYPE", LAST)="TYPE“
• The Function Package contains SET functions to delete, insert or modify all statements, even complete steps

The example below shows how to delete the STEPLIB if the files are already in the LINKLIST:

The interface can be used in batch mode to check and modify complete libraries.