Variables overview

Variables are the main components of the AutoEdit facility. Variables are used to replace manually changed values, generally within the JCL. AutoEdit variables can be either of the following types:

• System Variables

  System variables are predefined, reserved variables that represent information about the system.

  For example, System variable %%ODATE is replaced by the job’s original scheduling date.

• User-Defined Variables

  User-defined variables are created by the user. The user must provide the value (or the tools to derive the value) that replaces the variable at time of job submission.

  For example, the user can define a variable, %%SPACE-TYPE, to represent the type of storage unit (cylinder or track) on disk.

  User-defined variables are either:

  • Local variables

    Local variables are used only within the job stream. The value of a local variable can be set or changed within the job stream by Control-M, but the changed value is kept only in memory for use during submission of that job stream. The value is not passed to another job stream.

  • Global variables

    Global variables are user-defined variables that are placed in the IOA Global Variable database, from which they can be accessed and updated by other Control-M jobs and Control-O rules.

  • Pool variables

    Pool variables are variables that are contained in a pool, which is a collection of variables and which can be referenced by the pool name from any job that is currently active.

    System variables and user-defined variables are discussed in detail below. Local variables, Global variables, and Pool variables are also discussed in detail, under the topic of user-defined variables.

• Control Statements

  AutoEdit control statements in the JCL define the environment for user-defined variables. The AutoEdit facility supports many AutoEdit control statements, and this is discussed in detail later. Some of the more important control statements are described here briefly.

  Table 247 AutoEdit Control Statements

  Statement	Description
  %%GLOBAL member	Identifies a member that contains a set of user-defined local variables and their assigned values.
  %%LIBSYM library / %%MEMSYM member	Identifies a member and library that contain a set of user-defined local variables and their assigned values.
  %%SET %%variable = value	Sets a value to a user-defined variable in the JCL.