On Thu, 14 Feb 2019 14:28:35 -0600, Tom Marchant wrote: >On Thu, 14 Feb 2019 13:54:58 -0600, Paul Gilmartin wrote: > >>>// SET PARM2=&PARM2 >> >>Doesn't this run afoul of a rule elsewhere in the Ref. that symbols >>are not to be defined in terms of other symbols. > >What rule is that? Where is it documented? > https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSLTBW_2.1.0/com.ibm.zos.v2r1.ieab600/jdefine.htm Defining and nullifying JCL symbols
o Do not specify JCL symbols within other JCL symbols. The results can be unpredictable, especially if the imbedded JCL symbol is not previously defined. Long ago, I submitted an RCF asking for a clarification of whether the "within" refers to the symbol name or the substitution text (I've tried both, and both work.) I don't see that any change has been made to the Ref. Looking for that passage, I was astonished and dismayed at the huge volume of text in the JCL Ref concerning symbols, their definition, and use. I consider this not an indication of good documentation but of bad design. There are rules and exceptions to the rules and exceptions to the exceptions. And "unpredictable" is shirking design responsibility. The semantics of any construct should be well-documented (and simple). The programmer's use of any construct for which the designer could not specify a semantic should be treated as an error. Simpler is better. -- gil ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
