SECTION 1. MVS

  1. What is an Operating System? What are its functions?

  1. An operating system consists of two sets of programs designed to facilitate the operation of computer. The 1st set called the control programs are used to schedule and supervise work done by computer and the 2nd set called processing programs consisting of language translators, service programs, and utility programs. The heart of the OS is the Resident Supervisor module, which acts as the main control module. The functions of OS are (1) To manage various devices, (2) Control program execution, (3) Interpreting and executing the commands entered at the prompt, (4) Maximize throughput and minimize turnaround time resulting in increase of efficiency. The control programs can't be accessed directly by users. Instead the user codes JCL statements that provides the necessary specifications to process a Job. The set of cards punched on JCL statements are referred as Program control cards.

  1. What are the functions of the major components of the Computer?

  1. (1) Central Processing Unit is used to execute all the instructions of the system. (2) Main Storage unit is used for storing the data and programs, while they are being processed. (3) Programs and Data are permanently stored in Auxiliary Storage such as magnetic tape or magnetic disks called DASD. (4) Card readers, Punches and printers are called as Unit Record Devices. (5) The Unit Record devices located at far away distances and connected to the Computer System by communication lines make a Remote Job Entry. (6) The RJE can be replaced by terminals at remote locations by a display screen and keyboard. (7) Multiple terminals using the same System at the same time is known as Time sharing. (8) A device such as an RJE or a terminal, which can be used to submit programs and data and receive the results are called as work stations.

  1. Explain Virtual Storage Operating System.

  1. Virtual Storage is a technique that lets the system processor to simulate a large amount of Main (Real) Storage, which actually has a smaller amount of real storage. To do so the Computer uses the Auxiliary Storage (DASD) as an extension of the Real storage. VS OS is used to efficiently use the Virtual Storage technique, by well controlled Paging and Swapping process by the System, which is transparent to the user. An address space can provide the entire 16M range of address for 24-bit processing and 2G range for XA mode using the 31-bit processing, for each user under MVS. MVS not only simulates the main (real) storage than is actually present, but also uses the (main) real storage to simulate multiple address spaces, each of which are independent of the other.

  1. What is meant by Paging and Swapping?

  1. Each 4K section of VS are called as Pages. 4K section of Main storage are called as Page Frames. DASD areas of VS of 4k size are called as Page Slots. If a required storage location for a program is not in the Main (real) storage, a Page fault occurs. Data is then transferred from auxiliary storage to main storage is called as Page In, vice-versa is Page out process. Either way of processing Page-in and Page-out is called as Paging.

The transfer of entire address space from Main storage to auxiliary storage to provide space for other program process is called as Swapping. Swapped out pages are stored on special datasets on DASD called Swap datasets.

  1. Explain Multiprogramming.

  1. The concept of more than one program running at the same time on a Computer system is called as multi-programming. The system does it by simply reclaiming the CPU during the idle period of a processor to let other programs use it. It is also transparent to users.

  1. Explain Spooling.

  1. It is managed by JES, and is the process used to provide shared access to devices such as printers, which can not be accessed by multiple programs at the same time. It manages the applications output by interpreting it and directing it to a DASD and send it for processing by that device when ever it is free.

  1. Explain the use of file directory, Control Interval and Control Area under MVS.

  1. File directory maintains the Relative Block Address and Physical Block address of a file. CI is the unit of data movement between Main and Auxiliary storage's (equal to page size). Control area is a fixed length area on the DASD aside by VSAM to accommodate the CI for a particular file, it's the unit of file allocation during the file extension.

  1. Explain the differences between VSAM and Non-VSAM files.

  1. (i) The ISPF panel or a standard JCL is used for creation of a NON VSAM dataset. The AMS program is used to create the VSAM files. (ii) The information about the Non-VSAM files is stored as dataset labels in the VTOC, while the information of VSAM files is stored in Catalogs. (iii)The dataset organization's in Non-VSAM files are sequential (physical), Indexed Sequential, Direct and partitioned. The dataset organization's in VSAM files are Key sequenced, Entry sequenced and Relative record datasets. A dataset is a named collection of physical records stored on a disk or tape, and are normally identified by MVS with special records called labels. In JCL statements we need to supply the label information.

  1. What are the Features of MVS.

  1. (i) It is a Virtual Storage Operating system that support uni-processor, multi-processor, and attached processors. (ii) It is provided with integrated Time Sharing facilities with individual address spaces. (iii) Provides System resource manager for dynamic work load management. (iv) Provides Virtual I/O for temporary datasets. (v) Functional recovery routine for system component. (vi) Provides cross memory services for inter-address space communication , that reduces the assigned for common virtual storage and sub-system overhead.

  1. Explain VTOC and the various catalogs used to store information about the VSAM and Non-VSAM files.

    2. A. Volume table of Contents is a special file that contains the File Labels of the datasets on the volumes, also called as Dataset Control Blocks. The volume label is always in the same place of the disk, the third record of Track 0 on Cylinder 0, containing the volser id number and disk address of VTOC.

    Types of catalogs are OS catalogs or CVOLS and VSAM catalogs and Integrated catalog facility catalogs, they can be further classified as Master and User catalog. An access method is an interface between application program and physical operation of storage device. To issue a Open instruction to a dataset, appropriate methods are to be used. For Non-VSAM files the connection is made through Data Control Blocks and VSAM files through Access Method Control blocks. Both are simply tables in storage that contain vital information of a dataset as it is processed.

  2. Explain Batch Process.

  1. The processing involved, when a series of commands are to be processed together is called batch processing. A JCL describes a job by providing information that identifies programs to be executed and data to be processed.

  1. What is meant by Structured Programming?

  1. Structured programming means the collection of principles and practices that are directed towards developing a program, which are easy to understand and maintain. The programs are build by using three structures - Simple (imperative statements), IF - THEN - ELSE and DO-WHILE (through PERFORM in COBOL) structures.

  1. What are the various steps in Programming process?

A. Task Analysis, Flow charting, Program Coding, Program testing, Documentation of program and finally preparation for production run.

14.

A.

 

15.

A.

 

 

Section 2. JCL

  1. What are the features of JCL.

    2. A. JCL consists of control statements that introduces a computer job to an OS. JCL contains a set of statements referred to as Program control cards, provides necessary specifications such I/O resource requirements to process a Job. JCL is used for submitting batch jobs. JCL is not a procedural language like COBOL and is also not used to write Programs.

  2. Briefly describe the Format of JCL statement.

A. //name operation operand comment

  1. What are the general rules in coding a JCL?

  1. Start all statements in column 1 with appropriate // or /* or space. An entry in the name field must begin in column 3 and be followed by atleast one space. There must not be any embedded blanks within fields, parameters must be separated by commas. Column 1 to 71 contains the JCL information. Use '-' for continuation. Comments may be written on comment line or by leaving a blank after all the operands.

  1. Explain JOB statement.

  1. Jobname, (acctnum,acctname) (positional parms),'Name' (positional parm), CLASS= , PRTY= , MSGCLASS= , MSGLEVEL= , TYPRUN= , NOTIFY= . CLASS and MSGCLASS can have one of the 36 values, A-Z and 0-9. Class depends on the amount of CPU time required and use of tapes by the job. MSGCLASS specifies the job scheduler message output class. TYPRUN can be SCAN or HOLD. PRTY is used to specify the priority of the job, smaller number indicates higher priority (allowed values are 0-15 for JES2 and 0-14 for JES3). MSGLEVEL have two positional parameters stmts, mesgs; Stmts of '0' indicates print only Job statements, '2'-print all JCL and JES statements and Messages, '3'-only JCL & JES statements print; Mesgs of '0' only JCL messages print; if the job ABENDs, then JES messages too, '1'- JCL and JES messages print. NOTIFY is used to notify the user about the completion of Job.

  1. Explain EXEC statement with the various parameters used.

  1. The PGM parameter specifies the Program to be executed. ACCT parameter is used to specify the accounting number of the Step, if it is different from the Job accounting number. PARM is used to send values to the program, when it is executed. REGION specifies the amount of storage a Job step can use. DPRTY is used to specify priority to the step. COND specifies the condition for executing subsequent Job step. TIME sets a CPU time limit for a Job step. Ex. //step1 exec pgm=prog1,parm='aa',region=64k

  1. What are the DD statements used for Peripheral I/O devices?

A. For Input stream datasets SYSIN is traditionally used as ddname. Use SYSOUT parameter to indicate the Output stream dataset.

7. Explain the DD statement.

  1. ddname - specifies the name of the DD statement. DSN= is used to specify the dataset name to OS, &&name is used to specify a temporary dataset. DISP=(status,norm,abnorm) is used to specify the Disposition of the DS, with the status at beginning and norm,abend after execution, valid options are new, old, shr, mod for status, keep,catalog,uncatalog,delete for normal & abnormal run's, In addition Pass is also used for normal run. UNIT specifies the I/O devices. VOL, SPACE and DCB are others.

8. Explain Job Entry System. What are the differences between JES2 & JES3 ? Allstate uses JES2.

  1. JES is used to accept jobs and run them on one of several computers connected together in a network. JES consists of statements placed before or after the JOB statement to direct Jobs to the computer in a network. (i) In JES2 computers are connected in a network, and each computer is termed as a node. In JES3 several computers are connected closely together and all of the scheduling is done by a single computer that is called a global processor. (ii) In JES2 each computer in a network can select jobs from it's queue (decentralized system), while in JES3 the global processor schedules the jobs in queue to itself or to the other computers connected to it (centralized system). (iii) JES3 allocates datasets for all the steps before the job is scheduled. In JES2, allocation of datasets required by a step are done only just before the step executes. (iv) All the jobs are placed in single Job Queue in JES2 & JES3. They can also route the output to some destination. JES2 statements can not be placed in a cataloged Procedure.

  1. Explain Cataloged Procedures.

  1. The JCL statements that have potential use by several users are often placed in a cataloged procedure, which can be invoked by a single exec statement. They are stored in a PDS (need to be specified by JCLLIB ORDER=(dsn,dsn,...) statement) or SYS1.PROCLIB system library. It begins with PROC statement and followed by JCL statements that constitute the procedure.

  1. Explain In-stream Procedure.

  1. In-stream procedure starts with a PROC statement and end with PEND statement. In-stream procedure's can be included after the JOB statement but before the first EXEC statement. Up to 15 in-stream procedures are allowed in a JOB, with each in-stream procedure allowed to be executed several times.

  1. Explain Symbolic Parameters.

    2. A. To run a procedure for various jobs, we may have the need to modify the DD statements every time in the procedure, for that we can use Symbolic parameters which provides the means to modify procedures for execution. Symbolic parameters are preceded with ampersand (&) and may be 1 to 7 alphanumeric characters long, which must be coded in the operand field of JCL statements. Key words on EXEC statement such as COND, PARM, PGM cannot be coded as symbolic parameter names. Values can be assigned to EXEC or SET statement on the PROC statement for duration of the run.

  2. How do you assign values to Symbolic parameters?

  1. Values can be assigned to symbolic parameters on PROC, EXEC and SET statements of a JCL. Values containing special characters other than blank , . ' * must be coded in apostrophes ''. Values assigned to symbolic parameters can be of any length but cant be continued on next line. Symbolic parameters can be concatenated with other symbolic parameters. Nullify the symbolic parameter value by coding the key word followed equal sign without a value, either on PROC or EXEC statement. Delimiter such as leading or trailing commas next to Symbolic parameters are not removed.

  1. Explain the SET command.

  1. A SET statement is used to assign values to symbolic parameters. Any number of SET statements can be can be included in a JCL. SET can be placed in a catalog procedure to assign default values rather than to assign values on the PROC statement. SET can be placed in JOBSTREAM to assign default values rather than assign values on EXEC statement. A new SET statement can change the value of previous SET statement. A value of SET by PROC statement is changed, if a SET statement appears with in the procedure. SET statement can be placed anywhere following the Job statement. SET is conditional and is not affected by condition execution of the IF-THEN-ELSE-ENDIF. SET statement can replace setting symbolic parameter values on both EXEC and PROC statement, they also allow to create symbolic values in JCL and assign them without having to create a cataloged or in-stream procedures.

  1. Explain Nesting Procedure.

  1. In-stream procedures can be nested to a maximum of 15 levels (i.e. one proc invoking other and so on). We can not make backward reference between nested procedure. Up to only one over ridding statement is possible. All step-names should be unique So that we can override them correctly.

  1. Explain Include statement.

    2. A. It is used to copy in JCL stored as a member of a PDS using the JCLLIB statement to name the PDS and placing INCLUDE statements in the JCL, where we want the members to be copied. //INCLUDE MEMBER=member-name . PDS must be named with JCLLIB statement. PDS must be cataloged and have DCB attributes of LRECL=80 and RECFM=F or FB. It can be place anywhere after JOB statement. Placed in Cataloged and In-stream procedures. Include group can be nested up to 15 levels. Include can not Contain JOB, PROC/PEND, JCLLIB, DD *, JES2 & JES3 statements.

  2. What is primary allocation for a dataset?

    3. A. The space allocated when the dataset is first created.

  3. What is the difference between primary and secondary allocations for a dataset?

    4. A. Secondary allocation is done when more space is required than what has already been allocated.

  4. How many extents are possible for a sequential file ? For a VSAM file ?

    5. A. 16 extents on a volume for a sequential file and 123 for a VSAM file.

  5. What does a disposition of (NEW,CATLG,DELETE) mean?

    6. A. That this is a new dataset and needs to be allocated, to CATLG the dataset if the step is successful and to delete the dataset if the step abends.

  6. What does a disposition of (NEW,CATLG,KEEP) mean?

    7. A. That this is a new dataset and needs to be allocated, to CATLG the dataset if the step is successful and to KEEP but not CATLG the dataset if the step abends. Thus if the step abends, the dataset would not be catalogued and we would need to supply the vol. ser the next time we refer to it.

  7. How do you access a file that had a disposition of KEEP?

  1. Need to supply volume serial no. VOL=SER=xxxx.

  1. What does a disposition of (MOD,DELETE,DELETE) mean ?

  1. The MOD will cause the dataset to be created (if it does not exist), and then the two DELETE 's will cause the dataset to be deleted whether the step abends or not. This disposition is used to clear out a dataset at the beginning of a job.

  1. What is the DD statement for a output file?

    2. A. Unless allocated earlier, will have the following parameters: DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE), UNIT , SPACE & DCB .

  2. What do you do if you do not want to keep all the space allocated to a dataset?

    3. A. Specify the parameter RLSE ( release ) in the SPACE e.g. SPACE=(CYL,(50,50),RLSE)

  3. What is DISP=(NEW,PASS,DELETE)?

    4. A. This is a new file and create it, if the step terminates normally, pass it to the subsequent steps and if step abends, delete it. This dataset will not exist beyond the JCL.

  4. How do you create a temporary dataset? Where will you use them?

    5. A. Temporary datasets can be created either by not specifying any DSNAME or by specifying the temporary file indicator as in DSN=&&TEMP. We use them to carry the output of one step to another step in the same job. The dataset will not be retained once the job completes.

  5. How do you restart a proc from a particular step?

    6. A. In job card, specify RESTART=procstep.stepname. where procstep = name of the JCL step that invoked the procedure and stepname = name of the procedure step where you want execution to start

  6. How do you skip a particular step in a proc/JOB?

    7. A. Can use either condition codes or use the jcl control statement IF (only in ESA JCL)

  7. A PROC has five steps. Step 3 has a condition code. How can you override/nullify this condition code?

    8. A. Provide the override on the EXEC stmt in the JCL as follows:

    //STEP001 EXEC procname,COND.stepname=value

    All parameters on an EXEC stmt in the proc such as COND, PARM have to be overridden like this.

  8. How do you override a specific DDNAME/SYSIN in PROC from a JCL?

  1. //<stepname.dd> DSN=...

  1. What is NOTCAT 2

    2. A. This is an MVS message indicating that a duplicate catalog entry exists. E.g., if you already have a dataset with dsn = 'xxxx.yyyy' and u try to create one with disp=new,catlg, you would get this error. The program open and write would go through and at the end of the step the system would try to put it in the system catalog. At this point since an entry already exists the catlg would fail and give this message. You can fix the problem by deleting/uncataloging the first dataset and going to the volume where the new dataset exists (this info is in msglog of job) and cataloging.

  2. What is 'S0C7' abend? What is a S0C4 error ?

  1. S0C7 is Caused by invalid data in a numeric field. S0C4 is a Storage violation error - can be due to various reasons. e.g.: READING a file that is not open, invalid address referenced due to subscript error.

  1. What are SD37, SB37, SE37 abends?

A. All indicate dataset out of space. SD37 - no secondary allocation was specified. SB37 - end of vol. and no further volumes specified. SE37 - Max. of 16 extents already allocated.

34. What is S322 abend ?

A. Indicates a time out abend. Your program has taken more CPU time than the default limit for the job class. Could indicate an infinite loop.

  1. Why do you want to specify the REGION parameter in a JCL step?

    2. A. To override the REGION defined at the JOB card level. REGION specifies the max region size. REGION=0K or 0M or omitting REGION means no limit will be applied.

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

    3. A. TIME parameter can be used to overcome S322 abends for programs that genuinely need more CPU time. TIME=1440 means no CPU time limit is to be applied to this step.

  3. What is COND=EVEN ? What is COND=ONLY ?

    4. A. COND=EVEN Means execute this step even if any of the previous steps, terminated abnormally.

    COND=ONLY Means execute this step only if any of the previous steps, terminated abnormally.

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

    5. A. TYPERUN=SCAN on the JOB card or use JSCAN.

  5. What does IEBGENER do?

    6. A. Used to copy one QSAM file to another. Source dataset should be described using SYSUT1 ddname. Destination dataset should be described using SYSUT2. IEBGENR can also do some reformatting of data by supplying control cards via SYSIN.

  6. How do you send the output of a COBOL program to a member of a PDS?

    7. A. Code the DSN as PDS(member) with a DISP of SHR. The disp applies to the PDS and not to a specific member.

  7. I have multiple jobs ( JCL 's with several JOB cards ) in a member. What happens if I submit it?

A. Multiple jobs are submitted (as many jobs as the number of JOB cards).

41. I have a COBOL program that ACCEPT 's some input data. How do you code the JCL statement for this? (How do you code in-stream data in a JCL?)

A. //SYSIN DD*

input data

/*

  1. Can you code in-stream data in a PROC? How do you overcome this limitation?

    2. A. No. One way is to code SYSIN DD DUMMY in PROC, and then override it in JCL with in-stream data.

  2. How do you run a COBOL batch program from a JCL? How do you run a COBOL/DB2 program?

    3. A. To run a non DB2 COBOL program: //STEP001 EXEC PGM=MYPROG

    To run a DB2 COBOL program:

    //STEP001 EXEC PGM=IKJEFT01

    //SYSTSIN DD *

    DSN SYSTEM(....)

    RUN PROGRAM(MYPROG)

    PLAN(.....) LIB(....) PARMS(...)

    /*

  3. What is STEPLIB, JOBLIB? What is it used for?

    4. A. Specifies that the private library (or libraries) specified should be searched before the default system libraries in order to locate a program to be executed. STEPLIB applies only to the particular step, JOBLIB to all steps in the job.

  4. What is order of searching of the libraries in a JCL?

  1. First any private libraries as specified in the STEPLIB or JOBLIB, then the system libraries such as SYS1.LINKLIB. The system libraries are specified in the linklist.

  1. What happens if both JOBLIB & STEPLIB is specified ?

    2. A. JOBLIB is ignored.

  2. When you specify multiple datasets in a JOBLIB or STEPLIB, what factor determines the order?

    3. A. The library with the largest block size should be the first one.

  3. How to change default proclib ?

    4. A. //ABCD JCLLIB ORDER=(ME.MYPROCLIB,SYS1.PROCLIB)

  4. The disp in the JCL is MOD and the program opens the file in OUTPUT mode. What happens ? The disp in the JCL is SHR and the pgm opens the file in EXTEND mode. What happens ?

    5. A. Records will be written to end of file (append) when a WRITE is done in both cases.

  5. What are the valid DSORG values?

A. PS - QSAM, PO - Partitioned, IS - ISAM

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

A. Job will fall through to the ENDIF (not executing any steps), then resume execution with the first step AFTER the // ENDIF.

52. How many positional Parameters are there in a JOB statement?

  1. There are TWO position parameters in a JOB statement.

53. What are three parameters you can specify on Job statement as well as on exec stmt ?

A. Time, Region and Cond parameters

54. How can you trap abends in the JCL?

A. Use IF ABEND statement in the JCL.

55. How do you restart a step in JCL?

A. Use RESTART=step name.

56. How do you pass parameters to the programs the job is being executed ?

A. By using 'PARM' parameter in EXEC statement. The values mentioned here should be declared in linkage section in the program and process through Procedure division. This technique is very useful when you do not know the parameters at the time of coding the programs.

57. Why do you use a control card?

A. A control card can be a member of a PDS or a Sequential Dataset and is used for storing the date fields, Definitions of VSAM files....etc. You use control-card because you cannot use a in-stream procedure in a procedure. Generally you will be calling a Proc from your Jcl and you cannot code in-stream procedure in the Proc and so you will point to the dataset, which is called control-card.

58. How do you submit JCL via a Cobol program? For the above question the solution is as follows..

A. In your JCL define as//JOBA JOB 1111,JOB1//STEP01 EXEC PGM=PROG1//ddname DD SYSOUT=(*,INTRDR)....and your COBOL(PROG1) should look like this SELECT JCL-FILE ASSIGN TO ddname. Open this file and write the JCL statements into this file. Example. MOVE '//TESTJOB JOB 1111,VISVEISH' TO JCL-REC. MOVE '//STEP01 EXEC PGM=IEFBR14' TO JCL-REC. and close this file. Then TEST JOB will be submitted.

59. How do you submit a JCL under CICS environment ?

A. Pass all the JCL codes to a COBOL variable (should be declare using OCCURS clause) and the write the line one by one to the spool using CICS commands like SPOOLClose SPOOLOpen SPOOLWrite . For more help refer it CECI of CICS or CICS manual.

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

A. TIME=1440

61. What is a COND parameter in JCL?

A. COND means condition parameter, consists of 2 sub-parameters, 1st - return code from the previous step, 2nd - condition.. It is compared with system return code of previous step. //step1 exec pgm=abcd //step2 exec pgm=xyz, cond=(4,lt). Step2 will be executed only if system return code of step1 is less than 4, else it is bypassed.

62. Write a JCL to execute a Job by 7 a.m. on JAN 20,1986 ?

A. THE code IS : //*MAIN DEADLINE=(0700,B,012086)

63. HOW MANY TYPES OF LIBRARIES ARE THERE IN JCL ?

A. Libraries are of three types.1.Sytem libraries: such as sys1.linklib. 2.Private libraries: specified in a Joblib or Steplib DD statements. 3. Temporary Libraries: Created in a previous step of the job.

  1. What you mean by skeleton JCL?

A. Jcl which changes during run time i.e. the values for the JCL such as Pgm name ,DD name will change .i.e. same JCL can be used for various jobs, equivalent to dynamic SQL ...

65. What is the max block-size for a Tape file?

A. It is 32,760.Based on that we can calculate efficient number of Records in a Block

66. What is the purpose of include statement in a JCL?

A. It is used as an alternative for steplib. When we specify the dataset name in include ,it will search in all the datasets specified in the include dataset.

67. Is it possible to know the remaining free space in control interval/control area, once an insertion is made.

A. Not Possible

  1. Explain GDG?

A. Generation Data Group is a group of datasets that are logically or chronologically related and referred by a name and relative generation number - an integer which identifies the generation of a dataset and is coded in parentheses after dataset name. Absolute GDG name - GxxxxVyy, where xxxx-absolute gen.number, yy-version number. Can be sequential, direct, partitioned. (VSAM - no). Must always be cataloged. Advantage - all datasets have the same name and system keeps track of adding new and retaining previous generations and deleting oldest successive generation. To create a GDG we create a GDG index in the system catalog with IDCAMS utility and then a model (prototype, DSCB) on the same volume to supply DCB information. Empty - when limit is reached all members are removed from the index, otherwise-only oldest. Scratch-removed members are uncataloged & deleted, otherwise - removed & uncataloged, but remain in the system (not members of GDG any more). GDG number is updated at the end of the job. If number is not specified all generations will be processed from the beginning.

69. For how long a job can be executed continuously in a Mainframe

A. 248 Days.

  1. What is the Maximum number of DD statements allowed in a JCL.

A. 3273

71. How much space does OS allocate, when you create a PS or PDS?

A. 56 KB

72. What is the minimum number of dataset names (PDS) in one Directory Block?

A. SIX

73. What is the maximum number of Steps allowed in a JOB?

A. 255

74. How much is memory space involved, when we code BLOCKSIZE,TRK & CYL

  1. One block constitutes 32KB of formatted memory/ 42KB of Unformatted memory,6 blocks makes one Track & 15 Tracks makes one cylinder.

75. What 3 guidelines do we have to follow when concatenating DD statements?

A. 1) Datasets must be of the same type (disk or tape). 2) All datasets must have the same logical record length. 3) The dataset with the largest block-size must be listed first.

 76. What is a Dummy Utility and what it does ?

A. IEFBR14 is a Dummy utility and it is used for the sake of EXEC PGM= .... statement in JCL[when used it wouldn't perform any task]. e.g. While Allocating a dataset you don't have to run any utility [this could be done by giving disp=new in DD statement]. But for a PGM name must be given in EXEC statement, it is used.

77. On the DD statement, what is the main difference between creating a new sequential flat file and PDS?

A. SPACE=(n,m) for a sequential file, SPACE=(n,m,p) for a PDS where n, m, and p are numbers. The p designates how many directory blocks to allocate.

78. What is the difference between IEBGENER, IEBCOPY and REPRO in IDCAMS utility?

A. IEBGENER -- This is a dataset utility for copying sequential datasets which produces a PDS or a member from a sequential dataset. IEBCOPY -- This is a dataset utility for copying one PDS to another or to merge PDSs. REPRO -- This is for copying sequential datasets. More or less same as the IEBGENER.

79. How do you submit JCL via a Cobol program?

A. Use a file //dd1 DD sysout=(*,intrdr)write your JCL to this file. Please some one try this out.

80. How to execute a set of JCL statements from a COBOL program?

A. Using EXEC CICS SPOOL WRITE(var-name) END-EXEC command. var-name is a COBOL host structure containing JCL statements.

81. What is the difference between static call & Dynamic call?

A. In the case of Static call, the called program is a stand alone program, it is an executable program . During run time we can call it in our called program. As about Dynamic call , the called program is not an executable program it can executed thru the called program

82. What is the difference between catalogue procedure and In-Stream procedure?

A. In Stream procedures are set of JCL statements written between JOB and EXEC statements, start with PROC and end with PEND statement. Mainly used to test catalogue procedures. Cataloged procedure is cataloged on the procedure library and is called by specifying the procedure name on the EXEC statement.

83. Can we browse or edit the GDG dataset if it is a tape entry?

A. No.

84. What are the maximum and minimum sizes of any CONTROL AREA (VSAM datasets) ?

A. Minimum Size : 1 track Maximum size : 1 cylinder

85. How many parameters are there to a DISP statement and what are their uses?

A. There are three(3) parameters. Parameter 1: current data set disposition(new, shr, old, mod). 2: normal close action for data set (catlg, keep, delete) Parameter 3:abend action for data set (catlg, keep, delete).

86. How to pass the temp dataset form one JOB step to another?

  1. By specifying the DISP as PASS for the temp dataset

87. Do all versions of the GDG have to be of the same record length ?

A. No, the DCB of the model dataset can be overridden when you allocate new versions.

88. How are different versions of GDG named ?

A. Base-file-name.GnnnnnV00 where nnnn= generation number (upto 255). nnnn will be 0000 for the 1st generation.

89. Suppose 3 generations of a GDG exist. How would you reference the 1 st generation in the JCL?

A. Use GDG name(-2).

90. Suppose a generation of GDG gets created in a particular step of a proc. How would you refer the current generation in a subsequent step? What would be the disposition of this generation now?

A. Relative generation numbers are updated only at the end of the job, not at the end of a step. To allocate a new generation, we would be using (+1) with a DISP of (NEW,CATLG,DELETE). To refer to this in a subsequent step in the same job, we would again use (+1) but with a DISP of SHR or OLD.

  

Section 3. TSO/ISPF.

  1. ISPF is the Super tool of the Time Sharing Option because __________________

  1. It provides access to number of functions in an easy to use, menu driven format.

  1. What do you type to switch from TSO ready mode to ISPF mode? What is the PF Key assigned to END function?

    2. A. ISPF. PF3.

  2. What are the different functions that can be executed from the Primary Option menu? Explain them.

  1. 0 - Terminal Parameters. It's used to set the Terminal characteristics, Log/list, PF Keys, Display, List dataset characteristics, graphic, Environ, key list, Dialog text, Color, and CUA Panel attributes.

1 - Browse. View Entry Panel used for datasets processing. 2 - Edit. Edit Entry panel used to edit datasets.

3 - Utilities - (1 - Library to print index listing, Compress, Print, rename, delete, browse, edit or view datasets. 2 - Dataset. Allocate, rename, delete, catalog, uncatalog, or display information of a dataset. 3 - Move/Copy between datasets. 4 - Dslist. Display dataset list, Display VTOC list, Print dataset and VTOC lists. 5 - Reset characteristics of members of the ISPF library. 6 - Hardcopy. 7 - Transfer. Download ISPF Client-server or transfer datasets. 8 - Outlist. Display delete or print held job listings. 9 - Commands. Create or change an application command table. 10- reserved for future expansion. 11 - format definition. 12-SuperC. 13-SuperCE. 14-SearchFor. 15.Search-ForE.).

4. Foreground. 5. Batch 6.Command 7.Dialog Testing (view log). 8.Breakpoints. T. Tutorial. X.Exit.

  1. In most situations of ISPF, If you press the PA2 key ____________________. You press PA1 key for ________

  1. PA2 key will show the last screen image displayed by the ISPF. PA1 is treated similar to PA2.

  1. The Columns area is used to ______________________.

  1. Indicate which columns of the data line are currently being displayed.

  1. Full screen editing concepts.

  1. You should change all the lines on the screen that needs changing and then press enter.

  2. If you delete a character from the middle of a data line, the characters to the right will be moved left one position.

  3. To insert characters in the middle of the data line, you must have room for at least three characters at the end.

7. Can you combine scrolling and over typing of data into one operation by pressing a scrolling key instead of enter after over typing the data. False.