Several methods exist to work around this problem, but my favorite by far is to write a CL command to run the program. I reference this command, rather than a CALL, in the CMD parameter of SBMJOB. While I occasionally see this method recommended in an online forum, I have found that many iSeries professionals have worked with the iSeries and/or AS/400 for years, yet have never written a command!
It is very easy to create command source code from CL program source code. Let me illustrate. Assume you have a CL program, CALLEDPGM, that is to be submitted to batch from another program, CALLER.
The first step is to provide a place to store command source code. You can use any source physical file you wish. For this illustration, I use a file called QCMDSRC, which is IBM's default name for command source. If necessary, create a source physical file.
Replace MYLIB with the name of one of your libraries.
Next, create a source physical file member to contain the command source. In this example, I use PDM and SEU because everybody has them and knows how to use them. From the Work with Members Using PDM panel, press F6 to create a new member. Name it CALLEDCMD and select CMD as the source member type. SEU creates an empty work member.
On the first line of the empty member, type CMD. Press F15 and enter CALLEDPGM and the name of the CL program's source file and library in the Browse/copy member entry fields. This permits you to view the CL program source as you build the command source code. At this point, you have a split display, with CALLEDCMD at the top and CALLEDPGM at the bottom.
Notice the PGM command that begins program CALLEDPGM. For this illustration, assume it looks like this:
There are four parameters, therefore your command will have four parameters. Copy the DCL statements for these four variables into the command source work member in the order in which they are listed on the PGM command. It is unlikely that any variable declaration has a VALUE parameter, since parameters receive their values from the caller, but if the VALUE parameter exists, remove it. The command source will look like this:
DCL VAR(&COMPANY) TYPE(*DEC) LEN(3)
DCL VAR(&WAREHOUSE) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(1)
DCL VAR(&SHIPDATE) TYPE(*DEC) LEN(6)
DCL VAR(&COMMENT) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(40)
You are finished with the CL program source code and can close the window in which it is displayed. SEU shows the DCL commands in reverse image because DCL is not valid in CL command source code. SEU also sends the error message "Command DCL not allowed in this setting." Use global search and replace operations to change DCL to PARM and VAR(& to an empty string. You can use SEU's CHANGE command for this purpose.
C VAR(& '' A
Even after you make these changes, SEU is still not satisfied. Remove the closing parenthesis following each variable name and the reverse image should disappear from the PARM commands. The command source looks like this:
PARM COMPANY TYPE(*DEC) LEN(3)
PARM WAREHOUSE TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(1)
PARM SHIPDATE TYPE(*DEC) LEN(6)
PARM COMMENT TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(40)
This is barebones command source, inadequate as a user interface but sufficient for your purpose. Close and save the source member.
Use the Create Command (Create Command) command to build the command object.
PGM(MYLIB/CALLEDPGM) +
SRCFILE(MYLIB/QCMDSRC) +
SRCMBR(CALLEDCMD)
Once the command has been created, you can use it in program CALLER.
SHIPDATE(&SDATE) COMMENT('URGENT')) +
JOB(MYJOB)
By submitting the command instead of CALL, OS/400 will format the parameters as they are defined in program CALLEDPGM.
For more information about creating your own CL commands, see Power CL, published by MC Press.
Paul Amsden has worked with AS/400 and iSeries systems for more than 10 years.
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