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Special Processing on z/OS Tasks

Special Processing on z/OS Tasks

Aug 12, 2025

Overview

The following special processing features are available for running z/OS tasks:

  • Using Variables in JCL and In-Stream Data Sets

  • Skipping Steps during Initial Run

  • Overriding Key JCL Parameters from Universal Controller

  • Disabling Automatic Data Set Deletion

 

The following failure processing features are available for handling job failures:

  • Re-running a z/OS Task Instance

  • Interactively Ignoring a Step Code to Force a Task to Complete

 

The Controller supports compatibility with other schedulers:

  • CA7/CA11 Toleration
     

The Controller provides the following reports that track error processing:

  • Viewing Re-run Reports

  • Viewing Audit Trails on a Restart

 

Each of these features is described in detail below.

 Using Variables in JCL and In-Stream Data Sets

There are two categories of variables that can be defined in z/OS task Details:

  • JCL Symbolic Parameters

  • Universal Controller Parameters

Parameter values can use Universal Controller built-in or user-defined variables.

JCL Symbolic Parameters

Use the z/OS Task Details Parameters field to specify JCL symbolic parameters to be used in the JCL.

Any parameter name that does not start with *@ is considered a JCL symbolic parameter. JCL symbolic parameters result in the Controller adding a JCL SET statement to the JCL before the first step EXEC statement.

As an example, a z/OS Task parameter name of PHLQ and value of APP.PROD will result in the following JCL SET statement being added to the JCL:

// SET PHLQ=APP.PROD

The PHLQ symbolic parameter in the example above can then be used in the remaining JCL as described by the IBM JCL Reference.

Universal Controller Parameters

Use the z/OS Task Details Parameters field to specify parameters that can be used in any JCL statement and in in-stream data sets.

In-stream data sets are typically defined with a DD * JCL statement. the Controller will substitute the parameter values in the JCL statements and in the in-stream data before the JCL is submitted to JES.

Universal Controller parameters are defined with a parameter name that starts with the character sequence *@. The parameters are referenced in the JCL and in-stream data by prefixing the parameter name with the @ character.

The following steps add a Universal Controller parameter with the name *@DATE1 and a value of 20110601:

Step 1

Open the z/OS task.

Step 2

In the Parameters field, click the + icon.

Step 3

Add a parameter in the following format:

  • Name is the name of a variable preceded with @. For example: *@DATE1.

  • Value is the value you want to set to the variable. For example: 20110601.

Step 4

When the JCL is submitted for execution, the parameter *@DATE1 (shown in the following example) will be substituted with the value 20110601 in the JCL or
in any in-stream data. The example also shows the *@DATE1 parameter being used in an in-stream data and in a JCL IF statement:
 

//INPUT DD * @DATE1 /*

//AIF IF @DATE1 > 20110101 THEN

 
If a Universal Controller parameter must be concatenated with a non-space character, end the parameter name with a period (.). The example below
uses the *@DATE1 parameter concatenated with a non-space character in an in-stream data set:
 

//INPUT DD * DATE@DATE1.ACT9898 /*

Skipping Steps during Initial Run

In a z/OS task, you can specify that one or more steps from the JCL should be skipped when the Controller launches the job. You achieve this by adding SKIPSTNN variables (or parameters) to your z/OS task record.

To configure your z/OS task to skip specific JCL steps:

Step 1

Open the z/OS task.

Step 2

In the Parameters field, click the + icon.

Step 3

Add a parameter in the following format:

  • Name = SKIPSTAA (SKIPST is a required string. AA is any combination of alphanumerics used to make this SKIPST command unique. (You can add as many SKIPST commands as needed.)

  • Value = STEPNAME (JCL step name)

Step 4

Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for each step you want to skip. Change the AA portion of the SKIPST for each parameter you add. Each Name must be unique.
 
For example, you could enter parameters:

  • SKIPST01, STEP03

  • SKIPST02, STEPo5