This document describes the hierarchical structure of the different levels on which Natural profile parameters can be set. Various examples are given to illustrate the scenario.
The following topics are covered:
For details of the individual profile parameters, refer to the Parameter Reference documentation.
Natural profile parameters affect the appearance and the response of a Natural user's working environment. These parameters are set at different hierarchically organized levels as illustrated in the table below (priority from high to low).
| Level | Short Description/References to Detailed Descriptions |
|---|---|
| During Session | |
| Dynamic during Session Start | |
| Static |
The hierarchically organized levels are discussed in the referenced sections, starting from the lowest and ending with the highest priority.
The following general rules apply:
A parameter value set on a higher level overwrites the value
defined on a lower level (exceptions: PROFILE,
SYS,
DYNPARM
and some other parameters that work by adding values).
Dynamic parameters during session start have sequence priority, that is, they are evaluated from left to right.
ESIZE=20,DATSIZE=60,ESIZE=100
The resulting value is ESIZE=100.
Not all of the parameters available at a lower level can be defined on a higher level, too.
A Natural parameter module contains a set of profile parameters required to configure your Natural environment.
A Natural parameter module is built from the
NTPRM macro and
additional macros during
the installation process as described in Building a Natural Parameter
Module.
You can have more than one Natural parameter module depending on your personal preferences, for example, one module for Natural batch and one for Natural online sessions.
The Natural parameter module constitutes the bottom level of the Natural parameter hierarchy.
In addition to the Natural parameter module, you may require an additional parameter module for a Natural add-on product to be used in your environment, for example, Natural CICS Interface.
In addition to a Natural parameter module which is statically
linked to the nucleus, you can define alternative Natural parameter modules
which are stored in a TP or operating-system library. They can be used to
overwrite the parameter definitions of the static Natural parameter module for
a Natural session by specifying the profile parameter
PARM as
described in the Parameter Reference documentation.
Exception: CSTATIC parameter
definitions are not overwritten.
Important:
PARM should appear as
the first parameter in a dynamic parameter string, because otherwise the
alternative Natural parameter module overwrites all parameter settings
previously entered in the dynamic parameter string.
You can restrict the use of an alternative Natural parameter
module to a certain user or to several users by using the
NTUSER
macro.
In this macro, define the IDs of those users who are authorized to
use that parameter module. Only these users will be allowed to specify the name
of that parameter module with the profile parameter
PARM.
The assembler macro
NTSYS
can be used to predefine parameter sets which are named in a Natural parameter
module. These sets can be addressed under their names when Natural is invoked,
provided that the corresponding parameter module is active.
When invoked, the predefined parameter sets react in the same way as dynamically entered parameters in that position.
See also the profile parameter SYS.
You can use the Natural utility SYSPARM to create individual
profiles which are stored in a system file. Each profile is given a unique
character name. You can set values for any dynamic Natural parameters in such a
profile.
The profiles created with the utility SYSPARM are
activated by using the parameter PROFILE when
Natural is invoked.
You can use the profile parameter USER to restrict the
use of a profile to a certain user or to several users.
When invoked, the predefined parameter profiles behave in the same way as dynamically entered parameters in that position.
Almost all of the parameters can be dynamically overwritten when Natural is started. Dynamic parameters are evaluated strictly sequential.
This general overwrite facility can, however, be limited generally
or for certain parameters through the use of the profile parameter
DYNPARM
(only dynamically, for instance in a profile).
You can use the macro
NTDYNP
in the Natural parameter module to make analog settings. This, however, will
prohibit the use of the profile parameter DYNPARM.
You can use the data set CMPRMIN to define dynamic
parameters in batch mode under z/OS, BS2000 and z/VSE, or in batch-like systems
such as TSO, TIAM or BMP
environments under IMS TM.
The advantage of this method is that you need not modify the JCL when you wish to change Natural settings. In addition, it overcomes the length limitation of the parameter string (for example, 100 characters under z/OS).
Apart from protecting the libraries, files and commands, Natural Security enables the setting of certain session-relevant profile parameters. The definitions apply to the current library of the user.
The users can also define settings for their private or default libraries.
The current security settings (session parameters) can be displayed
using the Natural system command PROFILE.
The Natural Security parameter definitions are evaluated after the regular profile parameters, that is, they can overwrite them.
The Natural system command GLOBALS or
the Natural statement SET
GLOBALS can be used to display and to set (modify) certain
session-relevant profile parameters within and for the duration of a Natural
session.
These definitions apply to the command mode and to all programs that are executed during the current session.
See also
Session
Parameters for Runtime Assignment of Parameter Values or
SET GLOBALS.
The Natural statement FORMAT can be used
in a program to set parameter values which are valid for that specific
program.
In addition, it is possible to set certain parameters at statement level by a terminal command.
You can use the Natural Main Menu option Development Environment Settings to invoke a submenu which enables selection of the tools that are available for monitoring and setting up the Natural development environment.
The examples below are based on the following parameter settings:
| Parameter |
Parameter Module |
Alternative |
User Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
DATSIZE |
40 |
50 |
60 |
DSIZE |
6 |
2 (default)
|
Not specified |
ESIZE |
28 (default)
|
NTSYS A: 60 |
80 |
The following examples show the results for various dynamic parameter strings.
| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
DATSIZE 40 |
Parameter module |
DSIZE 6 |
Parameter module |
ESIZE 28 |
Parameter module |
| Others: Default | Parameter module |
PARM=ALTPARM| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
DATSIZE 50 |
ALTPARM |
| Others: Default | ALTPARM |
SYS=A| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
DATSIZE 40 |
Parameter module |
DSIZE 6 |
Parameter module |
ESIZE 40 |
NTSYS macro in the parameter module
|
PARM=ALTPARM,SYS=A| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
DATSIZE 50 |
ALTPARM |
DSIZE 2 |
ALTPARM |
ESIZE 60 |
NTSYS macro in ALTPARM |
PARM=ALTPARM,SYS=B| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
| Error | ALTPARM does not have an NTSYS
B specification
|
SYS=A,PROFILE=MYPROF| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
DATSIZE 60 |
MYPROF |
DSIZE 6 |
Parameter module |
ESIZE 80 |
MYPROF |
SYS=A,PROFILE=MYPROF,ESIZE=100| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
DATSIZE 60 |
MYPROF |
DSIZE 6 |
Parameter module |
ESIZE 100 |
Dynamic parameter |
PROFILE=MYPROF,SYS=A| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
DATSIZE 60 |
MYPROF |
DSIZE 6 |
Parameter module |
ESIZE 40 |
NTSYS macro in the parameter module
|
DSIZE=8,SYS=A,PROFILE=MYPROF,PARM=ALTPARM| Resulting Values | Origin |
|---|---|
DATSIZE 50 |
ALTPARM |
| Others Default | ALTPARM |