IBM Mainframe Forum

I need to pick the file from FTP. Normally we submit a job and pick the file. Here, the filename is available with date.

like xxxxx_20100309.txt, the date which i mentioned will vary on daily basis. i need a generic FTP step to get the file name without bothering date or dynamic update in FTP step in JCL where we consider the date

today xxxxx_20100309.txt
tomorrow xxxxx_20100409.txt like this

You basically have 3 options:
1. Work with your scheduling group to put something together since most scheduling systems handle this already.
2. Since FTP is not a scripting language and has no tools for working with file names OR dates, if your scheduling group cannot help you then you can create the FTP commands via a program (or utility) and pass them into the FTP step.
3. You can go back to whoever the file is coming from and telling them you cannot handle dates in the file name and have them remove it.

You could transfer into a Unix System Services directory by using the FTP command MGET * to grab all files and figure out later which one is the one you need, but sooner or later the mount point will fill up and have to be cleaned out. And this still leaves you have to code up something to find the right file for the given date.

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the quick reply. i tired with first and 3rd option what you mentioned. i need to look at the second option. looks like it will work out. i will try and keep posted the update here..

Thanks again