Maintaining and Finding Symbol Tables

Symbol tables are defined in a Symbol Master or Symbol Active window. Maintenance functions for symbol table masters are provided from the Symbol Tables (Master) window (see Commands: Symbol Table Master List).

The fields and special PF keys provided in a Symbol Master or Symbol Active window and subordinate windows are described in Fields: Symbol and Special PF Keys: Symbol.

This document covers the following topics:


Listing Symbol Table Masters Defined for an Owner

This function applies to symbol table masters only.

Start of instruction set To list all symbol table masters of an owner

  • Select the Symbol Tables option from the Main Menu and press ENTER.

    A Symbol Tables (Master) window like the example below opens:

     10.02.20                ***** Entire Operations *****                15:40:08 
     Owner EXAMPLE                     Main Menu                   User ID MMO     
     --- +------------------------------------------------------------------+ -----
         |                                                                  |      
         |                 Symbol Tables (Master)                           |      
         |                                                                  |      
       1 |       Cmd     Owner         Symbol Table                         |      
       2 |               EXAMPLE___    *_________                           |      
       3 |        _      EXAMPLE       ADMIN                                |      
       4 |        _      EXAMPLE       BRY-DEMO                             |      
       5 |        _      EXAMPLE       BRY-DEMO2                            |      
       6 |        _      EXAMPLE       EX-ST-COMN                           |      
       7 |        _      EXAMPLE       EX-VSE-1                             |      
       8 |        _      EXAMPLE       EXA                                  |      
       9 |        _      EXAMPLE       EXA-SYMBOL                           |      
      10 |        _      EXAMPLE       EXAM-ST1                             |      
      11 |        _      EXAMPLE       EXAM-TABLE                           |      
         |        _      EXAMPLE       EX321-ST1                            |      
         |        C Copy   D Delete   L List Symbols                        |      
         |        U Version Usage   W Where used                            |      
     Com |  Enter-PF1--PF2--PF3-----PF5-----PF7--PF8-----PF12-              |      
         |        Help Add  End     Save    Up   Down    Menu               |      
         +------------------------------------------------------------------+      
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
    Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
          Help        End                                             Owner Mail

    This window lists symbol table masters already defined to Entire Operations. You see only the symbol tables that belong to your owner (here: EXAMPLE). If no symbol table masters have been defined for your owner, the list is empty. The columns are further explained in Columns: Symbol Table Master List.

    The commands are explained in Commands: Symbol Table Master List.

This section covers the following:

Columns: Symbol Table Master List

The columns contained in the Symbol Tables (Master) window are described in the following table:

Column Description
Cmd  One-character line command input field.

For possible line commands, see Line Commands: Symbol Table Master List.

Owner  Owner of the symbol table.

The selection field of this column denotes the owner for whom symbol tables are displayed in the column Symbol Table. This field is preset to the owner under which you are currently working. You can enter any owner to which your user ID belongs. Enter an asterisk (*) and press ENTER to display a selection list of owners.

Symbol Table  Name of the symbol table.

In the selection field of this column you can enter selection criteria for the symbol tables to be listed for the owner. For example, enter DE* and press ENTER to list all symbol tables beginning with DE. This field appears at first with an asterisk (*) and displays all symbol tables that belong to the owner.

Commands: Symbol Table Master List

Line Commands: Symbol Table Master List

The following line commands are available in the Symbol Tables (Master) window:

Line Command Description
C Copy symbol table masters.
D Delete a symbol table master.

If several symbol table versions exist, a Symbol Table Version Selection window opens first. Mark the version you want to delete.

L List and modify symbols in a symbol table.

If several symbol table versions exist, a Symbol Table Version Selection window opens first. Mark the required version and press ENTER.

U Maintain the usage of symbol table versions.
W List jobs which use a symbol table.
Special PF Keys: Symbol Table Master List

The Symbol Tables (Master) window provides the following special PF key:

PF Key Name Function
PF2  Add  Add symbol table master.

Listing Usable Symbol Tables

You can list all symbol tables that can be used by a job and/or network and network version. For an active network, usable symbol tables are active symbol tables required and actually used for symbol replacement during the current network run. You can list and access all symbols contained in listed symbol tables.

Start of instruction setTo list symbol tables available for a job or network

  • Open a Job Definition (Master), Job Definition (active) or Network Modification window and choose PF7 (Symb).

    A Usable Symbol Tables window like the example below opens:

     +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
     |                                                                         |
     |                          Usable Symbol Tables                           |
     |                                                                         |
     |  Owner      Network    Version      Run Job                             |
     |  EXAMPLE    B60-FLOW               2766 JOB-04                          |
     |                                                                         |
     |  Cmd Type Owner      Sym.Table  Version    Network    Version      Run  |
     |   _  JA   EXAMPLE    EXA-SYMBOL SV98       B60-FLOW               2766  |
     |   _  JM   EXAMPLE    EXAM-ST1                                           |
     |   _  NV   EXAMPLE    EXA-SYMBOL SV98                                    |
     |   _  SD   SYSDBA     A                                                  |
     |                                                                         |
     |                                                                         |
     |                                                                         |
     |                                                                         |
     |                                                                         |
     |                                                                         |
     |   L List                                                                |
     |                                                                         |
     |   PF1 Help  PF3 End    PF7 Up    PF8 Down                               |
     +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

    This window lists all symbol tables which can be used by the current object (network, job master, job active). The example above lists the symbol tables that can be used by the active job JOB-04. The columns are explained in Columns: Usable Symbol Tables.

The symbol tables are listed in descending hierarchical order, that is, the topmost symbol table is used first during symbol replacement.

Note:
You can also list and access active symbol tables from the Next Start Times window of a network schedule as described in Listing and Modifying Active Symbol Tables in the section Schedule Maintenance.

This section covers the following topics:

Columns: Usable Symbol Tables

The columns contained in the Usable Symbol Tables window are described in the following table:

Column Description
Cmd One-character line command input field.

For possible commands, see Line Commands: Usable Symbol Tables.

Type Type of the symbol table: see Symbol Table Types and Symbol Search Order.
Owner Owner of the symbol table.
Sym.Table Name of the symbol table.
Version Version of the symbol table.
Network For active job networks only.

Active network which uses the symbol table.

Version For active job networks only

Version of the active network which uses the symbol table.

Run For active job networks only.

Run number of the active job network.

Line Commands: Usable Symbol Tables

The following line command is available in the Usable Symbol Tables window:

Line Command Description
L List symbols in the selected symbol table master or an active symbol table. See Listing Symbols of a Symbol Table.

Listing Jobs and Networks that Use a Symbol Table

You can list all jobs and networks that use a symbol table master. This is required, for example, if you cannot delete a symbol table because it still uses one or more jobs. You then need to find these jobs and change their symbol table settings or delete the jobs.

Note:
This function only shows the references of a network or job to a symbol table master if it has been explicitly defined. You can use the cross-reference function Symbol Table Usage (see Generating Cross-Reference Reports Online) to get a list of all references to a symbol table master including the references contained in input conditions and End-of-Job actions.

Start of instruction set To list jobs and networks that use a symbol table

  • Type W (Where used) in the line command input field of a symbol table master listed in the Symbol Tables (Master) window. Press ENTER.

    A Symbol Table Usage window like the example below opens:

    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |                                                                   |
    |                      Symbol Table Usage                           |
    |                                                                   |
    |  Owner EXAMPLE    Symbol Table EXA-SYMBOL Version (all)_____      |
    |                                                                   |
    |  Network    Version      Run Job        Type  SymTab Version      |
    |  B60-FLOW   b60v1            JOB-01     JM                        |
    |  B60-FLOW   b60v1            JOB-04     JM                        |
    |  B60-FLOW   b60v2            JOB-01     JM                        |
    |  B60-FLOW   b60v2            JOB-04     JM                        |
    |  B60-FLOW   b60v3            JOB-01     JM                        |
    |  B60-FLOW   b60v3            JOB-04     JM                        |
    |  E60-FLOW   v2.1             JOB-01     JM    SV98                |
    |  Z60-FLOW   z60v1            JOB-01     JM                        |
    |                                                                   |
    |  PF3 End   PF8 Down                                               |
    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+

    The columns in the window are explained in Fields and Columns: Symbol Table Usage.

This section covers the following topics:

Fields and Columns: Symbol Table Usage

The fields and columns contained in the Symbol Table Usage window are explained in the following table:

Field/Column Description
Owner

(field)

Owner of the selected symbol table.
Symbol Table

(field)

Name of the selected symbol table.
Version

(field)

Version of the displayed symbol table.

You can reduce the result list by entering a user-defined version or a reserved version name. (all) is the default entry for all versions defined for the selected symbol table. For possible input values, see Reserved Version Names for Symbol Tables.

Network  Name and version of the job network.
Job  Name of the job that uses the symbol table.

A dash (-) or a blank indicates that the symbol table is specified in the network definition.

Type Indicates whether a job master or job active, or a network master/version or network active uses the symbol table.

For possible column entries, see the Symbol Table Type table column described in Symbol Table Types and Symbol Search Order.

Run  Displays the job's run number if the symbol table is used by an active job.
SymTab Version Named version (if defined) or reserved name of the symbol table.

For possible column entries, see Reserved Version Names for Symbol Tables.

Determination and Activation of Necessary Symbol Tables

During network activation or single job activation, the list of the required (active) symbol tables is determined by Entire Operations. The result of the determination is written to the Entire Operations log. It may look like this:

List of active Symbol Tables created                            
Determined Symbol Table Versions for 17.01.14                   
... Ob  Job         St  SymTab      defined         determined  
... NV              00  N1649T00    (current)   ->  v002        
... JM  J001        00  N1649T00    (unnamed)   ->  (unnamed)   
... JM  J003        ED  N1649T00    (current)   ->  v002        
... JM  J004        ED  N1649T00    (nv)        ->  (unnamed)   
... JM  J005        ED  N1649T00    (svn)       ->  v002

The St column shows the status of the symbol table to be activated:

ED Evaluation duplicate.

This status is set if a previous determination (evaluation) resulted in the same symbol table with the same version. In this case, the symbol table (version) is activated only once.

EJ Indicates End-of-Job checking or End-of-Job actions.
00 Undefined status.
10 Indicates that prompting is not required.
20 Indicates that prompting is required.
30 Indicates that prompting is performed.

The Ob column shows the symbol table type, for example, JM for a symbol table referenced by a job master. See also Symbol Table Types and Symbol Search Order.

The determined symbol table versions (see Versioning of Symbol Tables in the section Symbol Table and Symbol Maintenance) are used for the subsequent symbol table activation.

In case of any determination error, the network activation or job activation is aborted.

Displaying and Modifying a Symbol Table

Displaying and modifying a symbol table master or an active symbol table consists of viewing, adding, modifying or deleting symbols contained in the symbol table. You cannot change the name or version of a symbol table.

Start of instruction set To display or modify symbols contained in a symbol table

  1. For a symbol table master: In a Symbol Tables (Master) window, type L (List Symbols) in the Cmd input field next to the required symbol table, and press ENTER.

    Or:
    In the Usable Symbol Tables window of a job master, type L (List Symbols) in the Cmd input field next to the required symbol table, and press ENTER.

    Or:
    For an active symbol table: In the Usable Symbol Tables window of an active job, type L (List Symbols) in the Cmd input field next to the required symbol table, and press ENTER.

    For a symbol table master, a Symbol Table Master screen appears for the selected symbol table:

     10.02.20                ***** Entire Operations *****                17:24:15 
     Owner   EXAMPLE    Symbol Table Master    EXAMPLE    EXAM-ST1    V. (unnamed) 
     Network                                                         Run           
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     C Symbol               F P Value                       modified by            
       *-------------------                                                        
     _ CLASS                A E G                           SAG      03.11.11 16:49
     _ JOBLIB               A E NOP.EXAMPLE.LOAD            SAG      03.11.11 16:49
     _ MSGCLASS             A E X                           SAG      03.11.11 16:49
     _ PARM-1               A E test                        SAG      03.11.11 16:49
     _ STEPLIB              A E NOP.EXAMPLE.LOAD            SAG      03.11.11 16:49
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
     ******************************* Bottom of Data *******************************
     C Copy   D Delete   L List   M Modify                                         
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
    Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
          Help  Add   End   Copy  Save        Up    Down  Print

    For an active symbol table, a Symbol Table (active) screen appears for the selected symbol table:

     28.02.20                ***** Entire Operations *****                10:07:49 
     Owner   EXAMPLE    Symbol Table (active)  EXAMPLE    EXAM-ST1    V. (unnamed) 
     Network E60-FLOW                                                Run 5742      
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     C Symbol               F P Value                       modified by            
       *-------------------                                                        
     _ CLASS                A E G                           SAG      03.11.11 16:49
     _ JOBLIB               A E NOP.EXAMPLE.LOAD            SAG      03.11.11 16:49
     _ MSGCLASS             A E X                           SAG      03.11.11 16:49
     _ PARM-1               A E TESTVALUE                   SAG      25.02.20 11:49
     _ STEPLIB              A E NOP.EXAMPLE.LOAD            SAG      03.11.11 16:49
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
     ******************************* Bottom of Data *******************************
     C Copy   D Delete   L List   M Modify                                         
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
    Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
          Help  Add   End   Copy  Save        Up    Down  Print

    The screen lists the symbols defined for the table by name, format, prompt value and current symbol value. The columns on the right side display information concerning the user and date and time when the symbol was last modified.

  2. Povided you have the required permissions, you can add, modify and delete a symbol listed for the symbol table. See also Performing Maintenance Functions.

This section covers the following topics:

Columns: Symbol Table

The columns on a Symbol Table Master or Symbol Table (active) screen are explained in the following table:

Column Description
C One-character line command input field.

For possible commands, see Line Commands: Symbol Table.

Symbol  Name of the symbol used as a variable.
F  Format of the variable.

Possible values:

A
Alphanumeric (including special characters).
D Date.
L Alphanumeric; conversion to lowercase letters.
N Numeric.
U Alphanumeric; conversion to uppercase letters.
P  Prompting.

The user is prompted for this symbol during manual activation of the job network.

Possible values:

A  Prompted for symbol during each activation.
E  Prompted only if no value is specified in the symbol table.
N  Never prompted for symbol.
Value  Current value of the variable, i.e., the string or number substituted in dynamically generated JCL.

Possible entries:

*** empty ***   The value of the symbol is an empty string.
*** n multiple values ***   One or more values (n) are defined for the variable.

Use the line command M and then PF9 (Mult) to view or change the values.

Modified by  User who last modified the symbol, followed by date and time of the last modification.

Commands: Symbol Table

The line commands and special PF keys provided on the Symbol Table Master or Symbol Table (active) screen are described in the following section.

Line Commands: Symbol Table
Line Command Function
C Copy symbol.
D Delete symbol.
L Display symbol.
M Modify symbol.
Special PF Keys: Symbol Table
PF Key Name Function
PF2 Add Add symbol.
PF4 Copy Copy symbol.
PF9 Print  Print symbol table with all symbols on the printer assigned to PRINTER1.

Exception for BS2000: An additional window opens in which you are asked to enter the printer name. If you wish to print via FORMS because RSO is not installed, enter the following in the field Print Device: F=form-name.

Adding a Symbol Table Master

This function applies to symbol table masters only.

You can add a symbol table master by either copying an existing table (see Copying a Symbol Table Master) or creating a new symbol table with PF2 (Add). This requires that you define at least one symbol master along with the table.

This section provides instructions for using PF2 (Add). They correspond to the instructions for creating the first symbol for a new symbol table master (see Adding a Symbol).

Start of instruction set To add a symbol table master

  1. Choose PF2 (Add) in the Symbol Tables (Master) window.

    A Symbol Master Definition window like the example below opens:

    +---------------------------------------------------------------+
    |                                                               |
    |                    Symbol Master Definition                   |
    |                                                               |
    |  Symbol Table EXA-SYMBOL                   Owner EXAMPLE      |
    |       Version SV98______                 Network              |
    |                                              Run              |
    |  Symbol  Name DARMSTADT-LILIES________________________        |
    |        Format A                                               |
    |         Value Golden-Goal_____________________________        |
    |               ________________________________________        |
    |               ________________________________________        |
    |         Be careful with insertions or deletions.              |
    |         The lines will be concatenated to one symbol value.   |
    |                                                               |
    |     Prompting E                          Update Mode _        |
    |   Prompt Text Different by Tradition__________________        |
    |               ________________________________________        |
    |               ________________________________________        |
    |               ________________________________________        |
    |               ________________________________________        |
    | Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3-----PF5----PF8----PF9---PF10---PF11--   |
    |       Help  Add   End     Save   RgChk  Mult  Copy   Exit     |
    +---------------------------------------------------------------+
  2. Enter the name of a new symbol table master (here: EXA-SYMBOL) and define the first symbol for it (here: DARMSTADT-LILIES). The input fields are described in Fields: Symbol. The special PF keys available are explained in Special PF Keys: Symbol.

  3. If you wish to add more symbols to the new table, choose PF2 (Add) from the Symbol Master Definition window. This saves the first definition and clears the window.

    You can now add another symbol. You can add any number of symbols to a symbol table master.

  4. Choose PF5 (Save) to save the new symbol table master.

  5. Choose PF3 (End) to close the window and return to the Symbol Tables (Master) window. The new symbol table master appears in the list.

    You can add any number of symbol table masters for your owner.

This section covers the following topics:

Copying a Symbol Table Master

You can copy a symbol table to create a new symbol table or another version for an existing symbol table.

Start of instruction set To copy a symbol table master

  1. In the Symbol Tables (Master) window, type C in the line command input field next to the symbol table you want to copy. Press ENTER.

    A window like the example below opens:

    +-------------------------------------------------------------+
    |                                                             |
    |                   Copy Symbol Table Master                  |
    |                                                             |
    |      From                        To                         |
    |      Owner     ==> EXAMPLE       Owner    ==> EXAMPLE___    |
    |      Table     ==> EXA-SYMBOL    Table    ==> EXA-SYMB2     |
    |      Version   ==> SV98          Version  ==> __________    |
    |                                                             |
    |  PF3 End                                                    |
    +-------------------------------------------------------------+

    The From section contains read-only fields with the name of the owner, symbol table and symbol table version (if applicable) selected for copying.

    The To section contains modifiable target fields which are preset to the name of the owner, symbol table and version (if applicable) of the selected symbol table.

  2. In the To fields, enter the name of the owner, symbol table and symbol table version (if required) to be used for the new symbol table.

    You can use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard to open a selection window for owners or symbol tables.

    Notes:

    • You can only copy a symbol table to another owner if you are authorized to access networks belonging to that owner.

    • The current owner is used as the target symbol table owner. If necessary, use the direct command SET OWNER (see SET in the Direct Commands documentation) to change the current owner before a symbol table copy operation.

    • You can copy a symbol table to an existing table and merge the two tables.

  3. Press ENTER to copy the table to a new table or to combine it with an existing table.

    • If you have simply copied to a new table, this new table is now listed in the Symbol Tables (Master) window.

    • If you have combined two tables, this is performed in the following manner:

      • All symbols and their values are copied successively from the source table to the target table.

      • If an identical symbol with identical value(s) exists in both the source and the target table, then this symbol is not copied.

      • However, if the values of this identical symbol differ, the following window opens:

        +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
        |                                                                           |
        |                     Symbol Table Master Definition Copy                   |
        |    Identical Symbol detected -> Please mark the desired Value             |
        |    M   Owner      SymTab     Symbol               modified by             |
        |        Copy from:                                                         |
        |        SAGTEST    EXA-SYMBOL MULT-01              SAGNOP   20-03-15 09:29 |
        |           Version (unnamed)                                               |
        |              Exit            Library                                      |
        |    _ Value *** 4 multiple values ***                 Multiple Y           |
        |        Copy to:                                                           |
        |        SAGTEST    EXA-SYM2   MULT-01              SAGNOP   20-03-15 09:32 |
        |           Version (unnamed)                                               |
        |              Exit            Library                                      |
        |    _ Value *** 2 multiple values ***                 Multiple Y           |
        |                                                                           |
        |  PF3 End                                                                  |
        +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+

        The input field and columns are explained in Fields and Columns: Different Symbol Values.

        In the example above, the value of the symbol MULT-01 in the source table EXA-SYMBOL is different from the value in the target table EXA-SYM2.

  4. Use any character to mark the value to be retained in the target table after copying.

    In the example above:

    • If you mark Value *** 5 multiple values ***, the value of MULT-01 in EXA-SYM2 will be replaced by this value.

    • If you mark Value *** 2 multiple values ***, the value of MULT-01 in EXA-SYM2 will be retained.

      If you keep different values in source and target symbol tables, you will again be prompted to confirm the values the next time you copy these tables.

      Note:
      Every time a symbol value in the target table is overwritten by the pertinent value in the source table, a corresponding message is written to the log. When the whole copying process has been completed, a message is also written to the log.

  5. Press ENTER when you are finished.

Fields and Columns: Different Symbol Values
Field/Column Description
M Input field for value selection.
Value  Symbol value.

Enter any character to select the symbol value to be retained.

Owner  Owner of the source and target symbol tables.
SymTab  Names of the source and target symbol tables.
Symbol  Name of the symbol which exists in both symbol tables.
modified by  User ID of the user who last modified the table as well as date and time of last modification.
Multiple  Possible entries:
Y Multiple symbol values exist.
N Multiple symbol values do not exist.

Versioning of Symbol Tables

This function applies to symbol table masters only.

This section describes how to maintain and use different versions of symbol tables.

Version Names

The following applies when creating version names:

  • The name can contain up to 10 alphanumeric characters and uppercase or lowercase letters.

  • Space characters and the following special characters are not allowed:

    ?<>*‚()_

  • To avoid problems when porting an Entire Operations environment to another platform, do not use special characters and umlauts.

  • Do not use a reserved version name (see the relevant section).

Version Names Exit

You can force a user-specific version name syntax by using a global version name exit. For detailed information, see Global Exit for Version Names in the Administration documentation.

Reserved Version Names for Symbol Tables

You can specify a reserved version name to determine the symbol table to be used for an active network or job run.

A reserved version name is evaluated during network or job activation and is replaced by a defined version name if available for the symbol table at that time.

You can use the following reserved version names:

Blank value or (unnamed)

A blank value or (unnamed) is replaced by the unnamed version of a symbol table.

An unnamed symbol table network version is the only symbol table version that exists after migration from an earlier Entire Operations version that does not support symbol table versioning.

In parameter listings (for example, for reporting functions such as Compare Symbol Tables) you can also use a hyphen (-).

(current)

(current) is replaced by the symbol table version that is in effect during version evaluation. (current) can also be used in input fields that reference symbol table versions.

(nv)

(nv) is replaced by the network version of the active network.

(svn)

(svn) is replaced by the symbol table version used by the active network. (svn) can also be used in symbol tables referenced in a subnetwork.

(svj)

(svj) is replaced by the symbol table version used by the active job. (svj) can also be used in input and output conditions defined for the job. For example:

  • Requested prerequisite dependent on the symbol value,

  • Requested prerequisite dependent on multiple-value symbols,

  • End-of-Job action: set symbol.

Creating Symbol Table Versions by Copying Symbol Tables

You can copy symbol tables to add a new version for an existing symbol table. This is a common way to build new symbol table versions.

See also Copying a Symbol Table Master.

Copying Single Symbols

You can copy a single symbol from any version of the originating symbol table.

Deleting Symbol Table Versions

  • If multiple versions of a symbol table exist, you must select the version to be deleted.

  • A symbol table version cannot be deleted if listed in an activated time schedule as a standard version. A defined date in the past is not relevant.

Deleting Symbol Table Versions or Single Symbols via API

You can delete single symbol table versions by using the API NOPUSY7N.

Using Symbol Table Versions for Schedule Activation

You can maintain version usage in symbol table administration by using the functions described in Maintaining the Usage of Symbol Table Versions.

Definition of Symbol Table Versions

Symbol table versions can be defined in the following:

  • Network version definition,

  • Job definition.

Versioning for Active Symbol Tables

  • The activation of symbol tables is a component of network and job activations.

  • A symbol table can only be activated in a clearly identified version. The identification of the requested symbol table version is part of the activation process.

  • Active symbol tables loose their version nomenclature (current) or (nv). They are detached during activation.

  • Active symbol tables can only have the version nomenclature (none) or a defined version name.

  • If a requested symbol table version is missing or if the version cannot be defined, then the activation process will be aborted with an error message.

Symbol Prompting

Before symbol prompting (during manual activation and before executing the symbol prompting exit in the Monitor), the symbol table versions to be used will be clearly determined. See also Symbol Prompting during Network or Job Activation.

If at least one symbol table version cannot be identified, the activation process will be aborted with an error message.

Search Order for Symbols

The order in which symbols are searched for in the symbol tables defined in your environment depends on the hierarchy levels at which the symbol tables defined in you environment can be accessed: see Symbol Table Types and Symbol Search Order.

Symbol Tables at System and Owner Level

Global symbol tables are not version-controlled.

The symbol tables are:

SYSDBA / A
owner / A

Logging

Logging of symbol actions include the version of the table where the symbol was loaded from.

The generated comments in the Entire Operations JCL header contain the symbol table version of all used symbols.

Cross-References (XRef)

Symbol table versions will be considered.

Reporting

Symbol table versions will be considered.

Import/Export

Symbol table versions will be considered.

Exit Functionality (Symbol Table)

Entire Operations provides user exits and APIs that are related to symbols and support network versioning, for example, API NOPUSY7N.

Maximum Number of Versions per Symbol Table

The maximum number of symbol table versions can be limited system wide as described in Default Setting (3) in the Administration documentation.

Maintaining the Usage of Symbol Table Versions

This function applies to symbol table masters only.

You can use the Version Usage function to determine a period (from/to date range) during which a defined symbol table version is used as the current symbol table for all scheduled job activations.

Note:
You cannot use the Version Usage function to add a symbol table version. You can define a symbol table version when you create or copy a symbol table master.

This section covers the following topics:

Listing, Defining and Deleting Version Usage

This section provides instructions for listing, defining and deleting version usage definitions for symbol table versions.

Start of instruction setTo list the version usage defined for a symbol table

  • In the Symbol Tables (Master) window, enter the line command U (Version Usage) next to required symbol table, and press ENTER.

    A Symbol Table Version Usage screen like the example below appears:

     12.02.20                ***** Entire Operations *****                15:14:33 
                               Symbol Table Version Usage                          
     Owner SAG        Symbol Table EXAM-TABLE                                      
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Cmd from      to        Version     Description                               
         --------  --------  *---------                                            
      _  01.01.20  12.02.20  V-PREVIOUS  Symbol table used before                  
      _  13.02.20  >>>>>>>>  V-CURRENT   Symbol table in use                       
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
     ******************************* Bottom of Data *******************************
     D Delete  M Modify                                                            
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
    Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
          Help  Add   End                     Up    Down        Left  Right

    The fields and columns available on the screen are explained in Fields and Columns: Version Usage Definition. The commands available are explained in Commands: Version Usage Definition.

Start of instruction setTo add or modify a version usage definition

  1. On the Symbol Table Version Usage screen, choose PF2 (Add) to create a definition.

    Or:
    On the Symbol Table Version Usage screen, enter the line command M next to the version you want to modify, and press ENTER.

    The input fields that appear are shown in the following example:

    18.12.13                ***** Entire Operations *****                10:48:42 
                              Symbol Table Version Usage                           
     Owner SN         Symbol Table A-1                                             
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   
     Symbol Table Version ==> v12.44____                                           
                                                                                   
     is to be used as current Version      (current)                               
                                                                                   
                     from ==> 01.01.14     (empty: unlimited)                      
                       to ==> ________     (empty: unlimited)                      
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
     Version Usage Description                                                     
     starting 2014_________________________________________________________        
                                                                                   
                                                                                  
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
    Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
          Help        End         Save
  2. Enter the required values. The fields are explained in Fields and Columns: Version Usage Definition.

  3. Choose PF5 (Save) when you are finished.

Fields and Columns: Version Usage Definition

Field/Column Description
Cmd Input field for line commands: see Commands: Version Usage Definition.
from

(column or input field)

Start date of a default usage period of a network version.

>>>>>>>> denotes that no start date has been defined.

Possible value for an input field:

A start date (in the current eight-digit format) or no value (empty field) for no start date. See also Date and Time Formats.

Default: A start date is not defined.

Note:
Date ranges must not overlap.

to

(column or input field)

End date of a default usage period of a network version.

>>>>>>>> denotes that no end date has been defined; the usage is unlimited (infinite).

Possible value for an input field:

An end date (in the current eight-digit format) or no date (empty field) for an unlimited time. See also Date and Time Formats.

Note:
Date ranges must not overlap.

Default: An end date is not defined.

Version

(column)

Symbol table version for which the usage is defined.
Description

(column)

Description of the version usage.
Symbol Table Version Input field for the symbol table version to be used as the current version during the period specified in the from/to fields.

This field contains (unnamed) by default.

Enter the required version or use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard to select a version from a list.

Version Usage Description Input field for a description of the version usage.

Maximum input: 70 characters.

Commands: Version Usage Definition

The following line commands and special PF keys are available on the Symbol Table Version Usage screen:

Line Command Description
D Deletes a version usage definition.
M Modifies a version usage definition: see To add or modify a version usage definition.
Special PF Key Description
PF2 (Add) Adds a version usage definition: see To add or modify a version usage definition.

Deleting a Symbol Table Master

This function applies to symbol table masters only.

Restrictions:
  • You cannot delete a symbol table master that is still used by one or more jobs. In this case, the error message EOR1859 - Symbol Table ... used in Definitions occurs. You can only delete the symbol table if you either specify another symbol table for these jobs or delete them. Proceed as described in Listing Jobs and Networks that Use a Symbol Table Master to find the jobs that use the symbol table.

  • You cannot delete a symbol table master with a symbol table version that is still defined in the version usage of the symbol table. In this case, the error message EOR2691 - Version ... - current usage found occurs. You then need to delete the usage defined for the version as described in Maintaining the Usage of Symbol Table Versions.

Start of instruction set To delete a symbol table master

  1. In the Symbol Tables (Master) window, type D in the line command input field next to the symbol table you want to delete. Press ENTER.

    If more than one version exists for the selected symbol table, a Symbol Table Version Selection window opens.

  2. Select each version with any character and press ENTER.

    If the symbol table (and individual symbol table version) is no longer used or defined elsewhere, a confirmation window like the example below opens:

    +-------------------------------------------------------------+
    |                                                             |
    |  Please confirm                                             |
    |  the Deletion of EXAM-TABLE Version T-V1                    |
    |  by entering EXAM-TABLE                                     |
    |          ==> ______________________________                 |
    |  PF3 End                                                    |
    +-------------------------------------------------------------+
  3. Enter the symbol table name and press ENTER to delete the table.