Past Paper (Section B) Flashcards

1
Q

What are some types of VSAM datasets?

A
  • Linear Data Set - Key Sequenced Data Set - CSDS - Relative Record Dataset
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2
Q

Some time later they implemented CICS Multiregion Operation (MRO) and, without changing the application, used Function Shipping to run it across two CICS regions. They created an Application Owning Region (AOR) to run the application’s programs and a File Owning Region (FOR) to own the VSAM files. Give two potential advantages and two potential disadvantages of this new implementation.

A
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3
Q
A
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4
Q

Some time later, the customer found out about VSAM Record Level Sharing (RLS) which is software that enables VSAM data to be shared, with full update capability, among many applications running in many CICS regions residing in one or more z/OS images within a Parallel Sysplex. Using VSAM RLS, they would be able to have the AORs access the VSAM data transactionally and with Coupling Facility caching and no longer need an FOR. Discuss the information that the customer would have to gather and the considerations they would have to make when making the decision as to whether or not to implement VSAM RLS.

A
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5
Q

What are the six JES2 Phases that a job generally passes through (in order)?

A
  1. Input 2. Conversion 3. Processing 4. Output 5. Hardcopy 6. Purge Inputs then converts to understandable language, then the program runs (processes), outputs the result, if you don’t want to delete the output, it will hard-copy, if you do, purge
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6
Q

Give an example of an action that JES2 carries out in the ‘Input’ phase?

A
  • Submit a batch job from TSO, could be sent over the network - Writing the job to spool - Allocate Job ID
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7
Q

Give an example of an action that JES2 carries out in the ‘Conversion’ phase?

A
  • Parses JCL into an internal (text) format - Looks up any procedures
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8
Q

Give an example of an action that JES2 carries out in the ‘Processing’ phase?

A
  • Responds to requests for jobs from the z/OS initiators - Selects from a job queue and sends them to z/OS - Communicates with an initiator to start the job
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9
Q

Give an example of an action that JES2 carries out in the ‘Output’ phase?

A
  • Produces a SYSOUT
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10
Q

Give an example of an action that JES2 carries out in the ‘Hardcopy’ phase?

A
  • Print output to file - Send to another node
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11
Q

Give an example of an action that JES2 carries out in the ‘Purge’ phase?

A
  • Delete sysouts - Update it’s control information to deallocate space so that it can reuse it
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12
Q

Describe how jobs are selected to run in JES2 initiators (not WLM initiators) in the Processing phase.

A
  • Job statement of JCL has a job class which is a letter - Each Job has a Job Class, each initiator has a list of Job Classes and the Initiator will pick up jobs from those classes - Don’t have direct influence over the priority order e.g. If I create an initiator and create job classes with A, F and J and it will check if anything is within A, then F, then J and run it, if not then it will just sit there and wait
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13
Q

During the Output phase, JES2 selects and groups sysouts based on output class. What clauses of the JCL JOB and DD statements affect choice of sysout output class and how do the parameters for those clauses determine the output class of a given sysout?

A

//Foo DD SYSOUT=A A is an Output Class (5 marks) //Foo DD SYSOUT=* (5 marks) Default (*) is set through: //JOB MSGCASS=X (5 marks)

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14
Q

What are four different ways in which JES2 may have dealt with a sysout by the end of its passage through the six phases.

A
  • Purged it - Printed it - Left it on spool so you can browse it - Sent it to another system - Emailed it
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15
Q

Write a JCL job step (no JOB statement is needed, five lines will suffice) to invoke program IDCAMS and execute command DELETE ‘A.B’

A

//S EXEC PGM=IDCAMS S = Label PGM = Program //SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=* //SYSIN DD * DELETE ‘A.B’ /* - Could run procedures (not good, this is default, eg writing IDCAMS after EXEC)

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