IBM Mainframe Forum

Hi All,

I have a requirement where in i have to read a VsAm file and inlcude records based on the date value, here the date format in the VSAM file comp3.

I have created the sort statements using the below JCL and fulfilled my requirement :



But i searched for an alternative using the SYMNAMES concept :



But my job got failed as Pick date is getting replaced with charcater '2013-07-06' instead of 2013-07-06(Zonal Decimal) . This will work best when my date in VSAm file is a charcter .

Below is the error code :



Can any one suggest a way to get the date parameter in the Include condition dynamically as Zonal decimal ?

Thanks for your time
Nara

But my job got failed as Pick date is getting replaced with charcater '2013-07-06' instead of 2013-07-06(Zonal Decimal)

1. Terminology is important in IT, where similar terms may mean very different things. And the term is "zoned decimal", NOT "zonal decimal".

2. You need to learn and understand data representation on the mainframe. An unsigned zoned decimal value is a character value -- there is no difference in the two.

3. The term you want is packed decimal. "Comp3" (also known as COMP-3) is a term specific to COBOL and only to COBOL.

4. Have you read the manual to determine whether or not what you want to do is even possible? If not -- start reading the manual. If so -- what did the manual tell you?

Hi Robert,

I agree with you, that was a typo from my end , and i should have double checked before i posted.

I didnt went through the manual, could you please share me the manual .

Thanks Nara

SyncSort manuals are copyrighted. If your employer has a licence, they should be able to order them and/or access them on-line.

Hello,

Another problem with the sort control posted is that "things in quotes" may not be compared to a packed-decimal value.

If your organization is licensed to use Syncsort, all of the material may be gotten from Syncsort Support for free.

PGM=ICEMAN

Isn't ICEMAN in DFSORT? Or does SYNCSORT use ICEMAN as an alias for its own similar program?

Hello,

Yup, lots of aliases running about.

Syncsort can be aliased as just about anything.

To make things easier for people who move between products, most systems alias the Syncsort executables to their corresponding DFSORT names.