Main Components of Control-M

Control-M automates the setup, scheduling, and execution of jobs in the z/OS environment. This is essentially a two-step process:

1. You must tell Control-M how you want job processing handled.

   Job scheduling and processing instructions are provided through the Scheduling Definition facility, a main component of Control-M.

   You specify these instructions in job scheduling definitions that you define in the Job Scheduling Definition screen. Each job scheduling definition must be defined only once; it can then be used as often as needed. Job scheduling definitions are stored in tables, or members, in a scheduling library.

2. Using the instructions you provided in the job scheduling definitions, Control-M automatically tracks and controls the setup, scheduling, and execution of the job. Control-M provides you with constant feedback on job processing, and enables you to manually intervene in the processing of jobs, through a series of screens.

   "Tracking and Control facility" is a general term that applies to the screens that provide feedback on job processing, and enable manual intervention. The main screen in this facility is the Active Environment screen, which provides status and other information for currently scheduled and recently completed jobs, and accepts your commands and instructions. The Active Environment screen also acts as a gateway to other screens in the Tracking and Control facility.

You will take a first look at these components by doing the following in your first set of exercises:

• You will use the Scheduling Definition facility to create job scheduling definitions for the two trivial jobs you just defined.
  • You will make submission of the first job dependent on a manual intervention performed in the Active Environment screen.
  • You will make submission of the second job dependent on successful completion of the first job.
• You will order the jobs.
• You will observe the results in the Active Environments screen. Along the way, you will become familiar with several commands, options and windows in the Active Environment screen. You will also become familiar with the Control-M Log screen.

To do this, enter the IOA Online facility, take a look at the main components of Control-M, and perform the exercises.