Introduction to Parameter Prompting Facility (Type 1)

The Parameter Prompting facility – Type 1 is an ISPF table based facility that provides automatic prompting for AutoEdit parameter values and setting of prerequisite conditions.

This facility is the recommended method for updating AutoEdit parameter members when the parameter value requires manual specification or modification. Frequently, such parameters are associated with prerequisite conditions that must also be manually added to the IOA Conditions file (from the Manual Conditions file).

Example

Tape ABC, which is required by a particular job, arrives from an external location. The volume serial number must specified in the AutoEdit parameter %%ABC_TAPENO, and the condition TAPE_ABC_ARRIVED must be added to the IOA Conditions file, before the job can run.

Without this facility, the user (generally operations personnel) must access the appropriate AutoEdit member and update the parameter value, and must enter the Manual Conditions screen to manually add the required condition to the IOA Conditions file.

With this facility, the user is prompted for the required value. The facility automatically updates the AutoEdit member and adds the related condition to the IOA Conditions file.

Parameter Prompting facility – Type 1 works basically as follows:

1. Using the first option of the facility (DEFINE PARAMETERS AND CREATE A NEW MASTER TABLE), groups of AutoEdit parameters that require value assignment are defined once. These parameters are grouped into a Master Prompting table, the Master table. Default parameter values can be assigned. In addition, prerequisite conditions to be associated with parameters are designated.

   The administration of the parameter prompting facility can be decentralized by user groups or applications by choosing a unique Control-M Prompt library on the Primary menu for each application. Master tables defined in a specific Prompt library will be available for update (in option 2) only when that Prompt library is coded on the primary menu. This permits different applications to be concerned only with the master tables associated with that application without cross-interference with other user groups or applications. This design also simplifies security issues.

2. During daily processing, specification of values is made using option 2 (UPDATE PARAMETERS AND SET CONDITIONS). The user selects the desired table from the list of Master tables and is presented with Daily Prompting table - an automatically created copy of the Master table for the current date.

   The Daily Prompting table consists of parameter names, (optional) descriptions, and default values. The user updates the desired parameters with the appropriate values.

   The facility automatically adds the appropriate conditions to the IOA Conditions file and updates the daily AutoEdit member with the specified values.