PRINT - Print File Assignments

This Natural profile parameter specifies the print files to be used during the session. It corresponds to the NTPRINT macro in the Natural parameter module.

Possible settings See PRINT Parameter Syntax.
Default setting See the default values of the different keyword subparameters described below. Depending on the access method and the environment, there may be different default settings.
Dynamic specification yes The parameter PRINT can only be specified dynamically. In the Natural parameter module, use the macro NTPRINT.
Specification within session no  

Notes:

  1. The old dynamic parameter PRINTER can be used as a synonym for PRINT.
  2. Within a session, up to 31 logical print files (numbered 1 to 31) and the hardcopy print file (Number 0) can be used.
  3. The software components for accessing print files in different environments are called access methods. For the duration of a Natural session, each logical print file can be assigned to one access method only. The access method for a print file is determined by the keyword subparameter AM.
  4. In z/OS under TSO and in batch mode, print files need not be predefined in the JCL. Provided they are defined by subparameter AM=STD, they can be allocated dynamically during the session in a Natural program using the DEFINE PRINTER statement or the application programming interface USR2021 (in library SYSEXT).
  5. See also Print and Work File Handling with External Data Sets in a Server Environment in the Operations documentation.

This document covers the following topics:

PRINT Parameter Syntax

With the PRINT parameter, you first specify one or more logical print file numbers, and then several keyword subparameters, which define the characteristics for these print files:

PRINT=((print-file-numbers),keyword-subparameter=value,...)

Where:

Syntax Element Description
print-file-numbers The file numbers must be specified first and enclosed in parentheses:

  • The numbers can be from 0 to 31.

  • They can be specified in any sequence.

  • Multiple numbers must be separated from one another by commas or blanks.

  • To specify a range of numbers, you can use a hyphen (-).

keyword-subparameters The keyword subparameters (for the different environments) are described below.

If any previous definition (or default) for the same print file exists, only the values for the specified keyword subparameters are overwritten, all other values remain unchanged.

Note:
To provide different print file definitions, PRINT can be specified multiple times.

Examples:

PRINT=((2,12,18),AM=STD,DEST='PRINT**',OPEN=INITOBJ,CLOSE=CMD)
PRINT=((1,3,6-11,15),AM=NAF)
PRINT=((0),AM=STD,DEST=HARDCOPX)

NTPRINT Macro Syntax

With an NTPRINT macro, you first specify one or more logical print file numbers, and then several keyword subparameters which define the characteristics that are to apply to these print files: 

          NTPRINT (print-file-numbers),keyword-subparameter=value,...

Where:

Syntax Element Description
print-file-numbers The file numbers must be specified first and enclosed in parentheses:

  • The numbers can be from 0 to 31.

  • They can be specified in any sequence.

  • Multiple numbers must be separated from one another by commas or blanks.

  • To specify a range of numbers, you can use a hyphen (-).

keyword-subparameters The keyword subparameters (for the different environments) are described below.

If any previous definition (or default) for the same print file exists, only the values for the specified keyword subparameters are overwritten, all other values remain unchanged.

Note:
To provide different print file definitions, NTPRINT can be specified multiple times.

Examples:

         NTPRINT (2,12,18),AM=STD,DEST='PRINT**',OPEN=INITOBJ,CLOSE=CMD 
         NTPRINT (1,3,6-11,15),AM=NAF
         NTPRINT (0),AM=STD,DEST=HARDCOPX

Keyword Subparameters for All Environments

The following keyword subparameters are available for all environments:

AM | CCHAR | DEST | OPEN | CLOSE | ROUTE | CP | SHIFT

AM - Type of Access Method

AM=value specifies the type of access method to be used.

Value Access Method
STD Standard sequential batch files (batch, TSO, TIAM).
COMP Com-plete print files.
CICS CICS transient data or temporary storage.
NAF Natural Advanced Facilities.
IMS IMS TM destinations.
PC Entire Connection.
USER Third-party vendor print interface.
SMARTS SMARTS print file.
ESS Entire System Server.
NOM Entire Output Management.

Note:
Prints to an Entire Output Management container file without using the spool of the operating system. Refer to the Entire Output Management documentation for details.

OFF Unassigned. No automatic assignments if FAMSTD=OFF is set.

Note:
PRINT=OFF is equivalent to: PRINT=((1-31)), AM=OFF). It does not affect any of the other keyword subparameter specifications.

0 Unassigned. Automatic assignments if FAMSTD=OFF is set.

This is the default value.

Notes:

  1. For an online session, all print files to be used have to be assigned to a specific access method.
  2. For a batch session, any print files not assigned to a specific access method will be automatically detected and assigned by the standard batch access method (AM=STD), provided that they have been predefined in the JCL. See also FAMSTD - Overwriting of Print and Work File Access Method Assignments.
  3. PRINT=((0),AM=xxx) or NTPRINT (0),AM=xxx determines the hardcopy print access method and is equivalent to the profile parameter HCAM=xxx.

CCHAR - Allow Output Control Characters

CCHAR=value allows you to define hexadecimal control characters for print file I/O to be passed through unchanged.

Value Explanation
a1 or (a1,a2,…) A single hex character or a list of hex characters enclosed in brackets can be specified. The hex characters must be within x'01' through x'3F'. A hex character range a1-a2 is allowed instead of a hex character.

There is no default value.
OFF CCHAR=OFF resets any previous CCHAR definitions.

Notes:

  1. To avoid screen I/O errors, Natural automatically translates the output control characters x'01' through x'3F' to '?'. In some cases, however, certain control characters are required for special purposes. These can be specified with CCHAR.
  2. For the specified print files, the CCHAR specification replaces the definitions in the output translation tables NTTAB, NTTAB1 and NTTABL as contained in the configuration module NATCONFG or defined by the corresponding dynamic profile parameter or by the corresponding macro in the Natural parameter module.

Examples:

CCHAR=17
CCHAR=19-1B
CCHAR=(03-06,0A,1B,3A-3F)

DEST - External Data Set Name

DEST=value specifies the print destination (1 - 8 characters).

Access Method Meaning of Keyword Subparameter DEST
AM=STD DEST is the logical data set name (DDNAME, LINK name, DTF name).

If the destination is to be for multiple files, two asterisks (**) have to be specified for the file number. These will be replaced by the corresponding logical file number for each print file. A DEST value including two asterisks must be enclosed in apostrophes when it is used as a dynamic parameter.

The default value is DEST='CMPRT**' for z/OS, z/VSE, and DEST='P**' for BS2000 environments.

Under z/VSE, only 7-character names are supported.
AM=CICS There is no default value for print files under CICS. Here, the DEST subparameter is mandatory, that is, CICS print files defined without a valid DEST specification are ignored.

The Natural CICS interface also supports a variable (see the TERMVAR=&TID default parameter setting in the NTCICSP generation macro) as part of the DEST value which, when being specified, is replaced by the actual CICS terminal ID. See also Natural Print and Work Files under CICS in the TP Monitor Interfaces documentation.

AM=IMS Specifies the IMS TM destination.

Notes:

  1. DEST=value corresponds to the OUTPUT value of the DEFINE PRINTER statement (and can be overwritten by a DEFINE PRINTER OUTPUT specification).
  2. The meaning of this keyword subparameter depends on the access method.
  3. PRINT=((0),DEST=xxx) or NTPRINT (0),DEST=xxx determines the hardcopy print destination and is equivalent to the Natural profile parameter HCDEST=xxx.

OPEN - Time of File Opening

OPEN=value specifies when the file is to be opened.

Value Explanation: The file is opened ...
INIT for output at session initialization.
OBF according to the default OPEN value for the different environments (batch, CICS, Com-plete, TSO).
OBJ when the execution of the first object which accesses the file starts.

This is the general default, except for AM=COMP and AM=IMS.

OBJ1 when the execution of the first object on Level 1 that accesses the file starts. Otherwise, it is opened when it is first accessed.
ACC when it is first accessed by a statement.

This is the default for AM=COMP and AM=IMS.

INITOBF for output at session initialization. Any subsequent re-opening of the file sets the default OPEN value for the different environments (batch, CICS, Com-plete, TSO).
INITOBJ for output at session initialization. Any subsequent re-opening of the file will be performed when the execution of the first object which accesses the file starts.
INITOBJ1 when the execution of the first object on Level 1 that accesses the file starts. Otherwise, it is opened when it is first accessed.
INITACC for output at session initialization. Any subsequent re-opening of the file will be performed when it is first accessed by a statement.

CLOSE - Time of File Closure

CLOSE=value specifies when the file is to be closed.

Value Explanation: The file is closed ...
OBJ either when processing of the object in which it was first accessed is finished or when command mode, NEXT mode or MAINMENU is reached.
CMD when command mode, NEXT mode or MAINMENU is reached.

This is the default for AM=NAF, AM=COMP and AM=IMS.

FIN at session end (this is the default for AM=STD).

Note:
With CLOSE=FIN, a DEFINE PRINTER statement causes an error if the printer was opened already. A CLOSE PRINTER statement for the printer is ignored.

USER only if the file is open and one of the following conditions is true:

ROUTE - Logical Print File Routing

ROUTE=value specifies whether logical print file routing is done according to the OUTPUT clause of the DEFINE PRINTER statement.

Value Explanation
ON Print file routing is done. The target print file can be any available print file except PC.

This is the default value.
OFF No print file routing is done.
am Print file routing is done to printers of the specified access method only.

Possible value is any valid print file access method (see subparameter AM described above).

PC is not allowed for am.

Note:
Print file routing means that, if the name defined in the OUTPUT clause of a DEFINE PRINTER statement denotes a print file destination which is defined by a different logical printer, all print output is routed to this print file. If no printer with the specified name is found, the print output can be routed to any free printer.

CP - Code Page for Print Output

CP=value specifies the code page for the print output.

Value Explanation
1 - 64 characters. The name of the desired code page.

Any character string is possible, but must be predefined by one of the code page parameters CCSID, CCSN, IANA or ALIAS of the macro NTCPAGE in the source module NATCONFG.

Notes:

  1. It is assumed that all code page data, for example, Natural sources, contents of A-format fields, etc., are stored in this code page. If no code page is specified with the keyword subparameter CP, the code page resulting from the evaluation of the profile parameter CP is used.
  2. If Natural code page support is disabled (for example, by profile parameter CP=OFF), any value specified for this parameter is ignored.
  3. See also profile parameter CP and Profile Parameters and Macros in the Unicode and Code Page Support documentation.

SHIFT – Shift Data Record to the Right

SHIFT=value specifies whether the print records are shifted to the right by the number of blanks nnn.

Value Explanation
0 or 1 - 248 The print records are shifted to the right and the specified number of blanks is inserted in front of the record starting with column 1.
0 The print records are not shifted.

This is the default value.

Notes:

  1. The ASA control character in column 0 is not affected.
  2. The specified number of characters at the end of the records is lost due to shift out.

Keyword Subparameters for AM=STD in All Environments

The following keyword subparameters are available for access method AM=STD in all environments:

RECFM | BLKSIZE | LRECL | TRUNC | PAD | PADCHRO | ASA | STRIP

RECFM - Default Record Format of Data Set

RECFM=value specifies the default record format of the data set.

Supported Formats

Value Format
F Fixed
V Variable
U Undefined
B Blocked
S Spanned
A ASA
M Machine control characters

Possible Values or Combinations of Values

Value Explanation
RECFM=F, RECFM=FA, RECFM=FM, RECFM=FB, RECFM=FBA, RECFM=FBM, RECFM=V, RECFM=VA, RECFM=VM, RECFM=VB, RECFM=VBA, RECFM=VBM, RECFM=VBS, RECFM=VBSA, RECFM=VBSM, RECFM=U, RECFM=UA, RECFM=UM These values or combinations of values can be specified.
RECFM=VBA Variable blocked with ASA.

This is the default value.

Note:
The RECFM specification only applies if no record format is predefined in the JCL or (z/OS only) in the data set DCB.

BLKSIZE - Default Block Size of Data Set

BLKSIZE=value specifies the default block size of the data set.

Value Explanation
0 or 8 - 32767 Default block size of the data set (in bytes).
1016 This is the default value.

Note:
The BLKSIZE specification only applies if no block size is predefined in the JCL or (z/OS only) in the data set DCB.

LRECL - Default Record Length of Data Set

LRECL=value specifies the default record length of the data set.

Value Explanation
0 or 5 - 254 Record length of the data set (in bytes).
0 This is the default value.

Notes:

  1. This subparameter can be used to check for truncation and padding.
  2. For RECFM=V(B) the LRECL value includes a 4-byte record descriptor word.
  3. If LRECL=0 is defined, the following applies:
    With RECFM=V(B), LRECL defaults to the minimum of BLKSIZE-4 and 254.
    With RECFM=U, LRECL defaults to BLKSIZE.
    With RECFM=F(B), the maximum record length in the Natural program being executed is taken when the file is opened. If no record length from a program is available when the file is opened, for example with OPEN=INIT, a record length of 132 is taken (plus 1 for ASA or a machine control character and/or plus 4 for a record-descriptor word if the record format is variable).
  4. The LRECL specification only applies if no record length is predefined in the JCL or (z/OS only) in the data set DCB.

TRUNC - Truncation of Output Records

TRUNC=value specifies whether the output records are truncated.

Value Explanation
ON Output records that are longer than the record length (LRECL) of the data set will be truncated.

This is the default value.
OFF Error NAT1512 will be issued if an output record is longer than the data set record length.

PAD - Padding of Output Records

PAD=value specifies whether the output records are padded or not (applies only to data sets of fixed record length).

Value Explanation
ON Output records that are shorter than the record length (LRECL) of the data set will be padded with padding characters defined by keyword subparameter PADCHRO.

This is the default value.
OFF Error NAT1510 will be issued if an output record is shorter than the data set record length.

PADCHRO - Padding Character of Output Records

PADCHRO=value specifies the character which is used for padding if PAD=ON is defined for the print file.

Value Explanation
'x' One character x within single quotes
x'xx' One hex character xx
' ' (blank) Blank or x'40'

This is the default value.

ASA - Use of ASA Record Format

ASA=value specifies whether the ASA record format is used.

Value Explanation
ON An ASA character is included in the output print records. Under z/OS, this enforces ASA record format, regardless of the RECFM setting in the DCB or the RECFM subparameter.

This is the default value.
OFF No ASA character is included in the output print records. Under z/VSE batch access method (AM=STD), a valid ASA character must be supplied in column one of the output record if the output file is a spool file, otherwise error NAT1530 will be issued.

STRIP - Inhibit Removal of Trailing Blanks

STRIP=value can be used to inhibit the removal of trailing blanks.

Value Explanation
ON Trailing blanks are stripped off.

This is the default value.
OFF Trailing blanks are not stripped off.

Note:
Trailing blanks are stripped off for batch sequential print files (access method AM=STD) if the data set is defined with variable record format (RECFM=VB) to reduce disk space. This may cause problems with subsequent applications accessing this data set, due to the missing blanks. These problems can be avoided by setting STRIP=OFF.

Keyword Subparameters for AM=STD in z/OS Environments

The following keyword subparameters are available for access method AM=STD in z/OS environments:

REREAD | FREE | BUFNO | DISP | VMAX

REREAD - Closing of Tape File Data Sets

REREAD=value specifies the REREAD option for the closing of the tape file.

Value Explanation
ON The REREAD option is set for the CLOSE SVC. This causes the volume to be repositioned to reprocess the data set.

This is the default value.
OFF The REREAD option is not set for the CLOSE SVC.

FREE - Data Set De-allocation at File Closure

FREE=value specifies whether the data set is de-allocated when the file is closed.

Value Explanation
ON The FREE option is set for the CLOSE SVC, which means that the data set is de-allocated when it is closed (and not at step termination).
OFF The FREE option is not set for the CLOSE SVC.

This is the default value.

BUFNO - Default Number of z/OS I/O Buffers of Data Set

BUFNO=value specifies the default number of z/OS I/O buffers of the data set.

Value Explanation
0 or 1 - 255 Default number of z/OS I/O buffers of the data set.
0 In this case, z/OS allocates five I/O buffers.

This is the default value.

Notes:

  1. The number of I/O buffers can improve the performance of print file access dramatically. Note that the storage for I/O buffers is allocated below the 16 MB line.
  2. The BUFNO specification applies only if the BUFNO parameter is not specified in the JCL for the data set.

DISP - Open Print File for Modification

DISP=value specifies whether the print file is opened for modification.

Value Explanation
MOD New records are added at the end of the file.
NOMOD The print file is rewritten from the start.

This is the default value.

Note:
This subparameter corresponds to the JCL DD statement parameter DISP=MOD.

VMAX - Control LRECL for Variable Record Format

VMAX=value controls the LRECL setting for an output file with variable record format (RECFM=V).

Value Explanation
ON Providing a non-zero BLKSIZE value exists for the file, VMAX=ON sets LRECL=BLKSIZE-4 for variable record format, regardless of the LRECL setting in the DCB or the LRECL subparameter.
NAT LRECL is set to the length +4 of the largest record in the application program if this value is less than LRECL in the DCB for the data set.
OFF LRECL from the DCB for the data set or the LRECL subparameter is used.

This is the default value.

Keyword Subparameters for AM=STD in z/VSE Environments

The following keyword subparameters are available for access method AM=STD in z/VSE environments:

SYSNR | LABEL | REWIND

SYSNR - Logical VSE SYS Number

SYSNR=value specifies the logical VSE SYS number.

Value Explanation
1 - 99 Logical VSE SYS number.

Default value:

  • For print files 1 - 31, the SYS number is print file number plus 40.

  • For print file 0, that is the hardcopy printer, the default is SYSLST.

Example:

The z/VSE default SYS number for print file 11 is 11 + 40 >= SYS051: 

SYSNR=51

LABEL - Tape Label Processing

LABEL=value specifies the tape label processing.

Value Explanation
ON The tape is in standard label format.

This is the default value.
OFF The tape is unlabeled with front tape mark.
NOTM The tape is unlabeled without front tape mark.

REWIND - Action at File Closure

REWIND=value specifies the action to be taken when a tape file is closed.

Value Explanation
ON The tape is rewound when the file is closed.

This is the default value.
OFF The tape is not rewound when the file is closed.
UNLOAD The tape is unloaded when the file is closed.

Keyword Subparameters for AM=STD in BS2000 Environments

The following keyword subparameters are available for access method AM=STD in BS2000 environments:

DISP | FREE

DISP - File Open Mode

DISP=value specifies the open mode of the file.

Value Explanation
EXT The open mode is set to EXTEND.
NOEXT The open mode is set to the default value OUTPUT.

This is the default value.

FREE - Release Linkname at File Closure

FREE=value specifies whether the linkname of the file is released when the destination file is switched over to another one.

Value Explanation
ON The linkname is released.
OFF The linkname is kept.

Example:

DEFINE PRINTER (1) OUTPUT 'P01' 
WRITE (1) 'TEST' 
CLOSE (1)
DEFINE PRINTER (1) OUTPUT 'FILE=REPORT01.NEW,LINK=LINKP01

If FREE=ON is set, the linkname is released; with FREE=OFF, it is kept.

Keyword Subparameters for AM=CICS

The following keyword subparameters are available for access method AM=CICS:

TYPE | DISP

TYPE - Type of CICS Storage Medium

TYPE=value specifies the type of CICS storage medium to be used.

Value Explanation
MAIN Temporary main storage.
AUX Temporary auxiliary storage.
TD Transient data.

Note:
The default value used depends on the setting of subparameter DEST. If the DEST subparameter value matches a valid CICS transient data queue, the TYPE subparameter defaults to TD, otherwise MAIN will be taken as the default value.

DISP - CICS Temporary Storage Queue Disposition

DISP=(value1,value2) specifies the CICS temporary storage queue disposition.

Value Pair Explanation
(NEW,KEEP) The storage queue is deleted when the file is opened.

This is the default value.
(NEW,DELETE) The storage queue is deleted when the file is opened and when it is closed.
(OLD,DELETE) The storage queue is deleted when the file is closed.
(OLD,KEEP) The storage queue is not deleted.

Example:

DISP=(NEW,DELETE)

Note:
The DISP specification does not apply to CICS extra-partition transient data queues.

Keyword Subparameters for AM=COMP (Com-plete)

The following keyword subparameter is available for access method AM=COMP (Com-plete):

DRIVER

DRIVER - Name of Com-plete Print Driver

DRIVER=value specifies the name of the Com-plete print driver to be used.

Keyword Subparameters for AM=SMARTS (Com-plete)

The following keyword subparameter is available for access method AM=SMARTS (Com-plete):

DEST

DEST - Logical Printer

DEST=value specifies the logical printer.

Value Explanation
print-server-queue The environment variable SAG_APS_LPD_xyz defines a logical printer under Com-plete, where xyz is the name of the print server queue.

If the environment variable SAG_APS_LPD_xyz exists for the specified DEST, the output is directly routed to that line printer.

For more information, see the Complete Initialization and Startup Manual, section Defining Terminals and Printers.

printer-file-name If no print server queue for that printer is available, DEST specifies a printer file name. It specifies the location of the output file in the file system. The name of the output file is generated from the UserId and a sequence number.

Since the DEST clause is restricted to an 8 character maximum, it is useless to define a file with absolute PFS path specification. The name specified in the DEST clause is relative to the print file root directory. The print file root directory is specified with the environment variable NAT_PRINT_ROOT.

Example:

NAT_PRINT_ROOT=/nat/printer
DEST=printer1
UserId=xyz

The first output will be written to file /nat/printer/printer1/xyz1.

To specify a file with absolute path definition, the OUTPUT clause of the DEFINE PRINTER statement must be used.

Keyword Subparameters for AM=IMS

The following keyword subparameters are available for AM=IMS:

BLKSIZE | DRIVER

For possible values and further information, see Support of the Natural WRITE (n) Statement in the Natural under IMS TM part of the TP Monitor Interfaces documentation.

BLKSIZE - Size of the Print Buffer

BLKSIZE=value specifies the size of the print buffer sent to the IMS TM destination.

DRIVER - Name of Natural IMS Print Driver

DRIVER=value specifies the name of the Natural IMS print driver to be used.

Keyword Subparameters for DEFINE PRINTER Statement

With the following keyword subparameters, you can set the default values for the DEFINE PRINTER statement options of the same names. When a printer is closed, all DEFINE PRINTER statement options are reset to their default values.

PROFILE | NAME | FORMS | DISP | COPIES | CLASS | PRTY

PROFILE - Name of Printer Control Characters Table

PROFILE=value specifies the name of the printer control characters table (NTCCTAB macro).

NAME - Name of Listing

NAME=value specifies the listing name.

FORMS - Name of Listing Forms

FORMS=value specifies the listing forms name.

DISP - Listing Disposition

DISP=value specifies the listing disposition (HOLD, KEEP, DELETE or LEAVE).

COPIES - Number of Copies

COPIES=value specifies the number of copies to be printed (1 - 255).

CLASS - Spool Class

CLASS=value specifies the spool class (1 byte).

PRTY - Listing Priority

PRTY=value specifies the listing priority (1 - 255).