JCL Interview questions 10-20

• Q11: What is a Generation Data Group (GDG)?
  • Answer : Generation Data Group is a group of chronologically or functionally related datasets. GDGs are processed periodically, often by adding a new generation, retaining previous generations, and sometimes discarding the oldest generation.
  Q12: How is a GDG base created?
  • Answer : A GDG base is created in the system catalog and keeps track of the generation numbers used for datasets in the group. IDCAMS utility is used to define the GDG base
  Q13: What is the difference between the JOBLIB and the STEPLIB statements?
  • Answer : The JOBLIB statement is placed after the JOB statement and is effective for all job steps. It cannot be placed in a cataloged procedure. The STEPLIB statement is placed after the EXEC statement and is effective for that job step only. Unlike the JOBLIB statement, the STEPLIB can be placed in a cataloged procedure.
  Q14: How do you create a temporary dataset? Where will you use them?
  • Answer : Temporary datasets can be created either by not specifying any DSNAME or by specifying the temporary file indicator as in DSN=&&TEMP. We use them to carry the output of one step to another step in the same job. The dataset will not be retained once the job completes
  Q15: How do you skip a particular step in a proc/JOB?
  • Answer : Can use either condition codes or use the jcl control statement IF
  Q16:
  • Answer :
  Q17: What is 'S0C7' abend?
  • Answer : Caused by invalid data in a numeric field
  Q18: What is a S0C4 error ?
  • Answer : Storage violation error - can be due to various reasons. e.g.: READING a file that is not open, invalid address referenced due to subscript error
  Q19:What are SD37, SB37, SE37 abends?
  • Answer : All indicate dataset out of space. SD37 - no secondary allocation was specified. SB37 - end of vol. and no further volumes specified. SE37 - Max. of 16 extents already allocated.
  Q20: What is COND=EVEN ?
  • Answer : Means execute this step even if any of the previous steps, terminated abnormally