Starting a writer *START,devname

Function

JES3 selects work for an output writer from the output queue based on one or more of the writer-selection characteristics. These characteristics and their order of importance are established during JES3 initialization by the WS= parameter on the OUTSERV initialization statement.

Use the *START,devname command to begin writer activity.

For a 3800 printer, the display includes the number of pages remaining in the printer's buffer for all data sets that had been sent to the printer at the time you entered the command. This count can include data sets from more than one job. If the copy of the data set that is visible at the transfer station fills the entire buffer and more records remain to be sent to the printer, the display includes a second count: the approximate number of records remaining to be sent.

The currently active data set on a 3800 printer is the data set that is visible at the transfer station. For a 3800 printer running in FSS mode, the approximate number of pages and records remaining for the data set visible at the transfer station are displayed.

Syntax


>>-+-*START-+--+-,--devname-------+--+------+------------------->
   '-*S-----'  +-,--+---+--devnum-+  +-,--A-+   
               |    '-/-'         |  '-,--M-'   
               '-,--J--=--jobno---'             

>--+----------------+--+-----------------+---------------------->
   '-,--B--=--+-N-+-'  '-,--CB--=--+-D-+-'   
              '-Y-'                +-J-+     
                                   '-N-'     

>--+------------------------------------------+----------------->
   '-,--CH--,--+-tab------------------------+-'   
               |         .-,-------.        |     
               |         V         |        |     
               '-(--tab----+-----+-+--+---+-'     
                           '-tab-'    +-H-+       
                                      '-R-'       

>--+-----------------------+------------------------------------>
   '-,--CK--=--nnnn--+-P-+-'   
                     '-S-'     

>--+-----------------------------------------------------+------>
   '-,--CM--=--+---------------------------------------+-'   
               +-(--module--+-------+--)---------------+     
               |            '-,trcl-'                  |     
               |            .-,------------.           |     
               |            V              |           |     
               +-(--module----+----------+-+--+---+--)-+     
               |              +-module---+    +-H-+    |     
               |              '-+------+-'    '-R-'    |     
               |                '-trcl-'               |     
               '-NONE----------------------------------'     

>--+-----------------------+------------------------------------>
   '-,--CP--=--+-nnn-----+-'   
               +-+--nnn--+     
               '- ---nnn-'     

>--+--------------------------------------+--+-------------+---->
   +-,--CT--=--+-carr-------------------+-+  '-,--+---+--D-'   
   |           '-+-carr-----+--+-,--H-+-' |       '-/-'        
   |             '-STANDARD-'  '-,--R-'   |                    
   +-,--F--=--+-form-------------------+--+                    
   |          '-+-form-----+--+-,--H-+-'  |                    
   |            '-STANDARD-'  '-,--R-'    |                    
   '-,--U--=--+-train------------------+--'                    
              '-+-train----+--+-,--H-+-'                       
                '-STANDARD-'  '-,--R-'                         

>--+------------------------------------------+----------------->
   '-,--D--=--+-devname---------------------+-'   
              +-+---+--devnum---------------+     
              | '-/-'                       |     
              '-(--+-PRT-+--+----------+--)-'     
                   '-PUN-'  '-,--group-'          

>--+-------------------------------------------------------+---->
   '-,--FL--=--+-flash-id--------------------------------+-'   
               |              .-,------------.           |     
               |              V              |           |     
               +-(--flash-id----+----------+-+--+---+--)-+     
               |                '-flash-id-'    +-H-+    |     
               |                                '-R-'    |     
               '-=NONE-----------------------------------'     

>--+----------------+--+--------------------------+------------->
   '-,--H--=--+-N-+-'  '-,--L--=--+-nnnnnnnn----+-'   
              '-Y-'               '-nnnnnnnn--+-'     

>--+-------------+--+--------------------------+--+------+------>
   '-,--MK--=--J-'  '-,--NPRO--=--+-val------+-'  '-,--P-'   
                                  +-STANDARD-+               
                                  '-NO-------'               

>--+---------------------------+-------------------------------->
   '-,--PG--=--+-nnnnnnnn----+-'   
               '-nnnnnnnn--+-'     

>--+--------------------------------------+--------------------->
   '-,--PM--=--+-+---+--value-----------+-'   
               | '-/-'                  |     
               |    .-,------------.    |     
               |    V              |    |     
               '-(----+---+--value-+--)-'     
                      '-/-'                   

>--+------------------------------+--+-------------+------------>
   '-,--R--=--+-nnnnnnnn--P-----+-'  '-,--+---+--S-'   
              +-+--nnnnnnnn--P--+         '-/-'        
              '- ---nnnnnnnn--P-'                      

>--+------------------------+--+---------------------------+---->
   '-,--SS--=--+-C-+--+---+-'  '-,--SZ--=--(--xx--,--yy--)-'   
               '-S-'  +-H-+                                    
                      '-R-'                                    

>--+------+--+-------------------------------+------------------>
   '-,--T-'  '-,--WC--=--+-class-----------+-'   
                         |    .-,-----.    |     
                         |    V       |    |     
                         '-(----class-+--)-'     

>--+--------------------------------------+--------------------><
   '-,--WS--=--+-+---+--value-----------+-'   
               | '-/-'                  |     
               |    .-,------------.    |     
               |    V              |    |     
               '-(----+---+--value-+--)-'     
                      '-/-'

Parameters

devname or devnum or /devnum or J=jobno

Specifies the output device or the job number assigned to the writer DSP by the *CALL,WTR command or by JES3 in the case of a dynamic writer. Always use the JNAME of a device when selecting devices that are not directly connected to a channel. The device number can be a 3-digit or 4-digit hexadecimal number. A slash (/) preceding the device number is not required. Device numbers can be specified by any of the following formats:

ddd
dddd
/ddd
/dddd

where ddd and dddd represent the device numbers.

A

Specifies automatic mode. Output continues to be processed by this writer if work is available. Automatic mode is the default for all printers, whether operating in FSS mode or non-FSS mode.

M

Specifies manual mode. An *START,devname command is required for the writer to continue (see Starting or restarting a writer).

Use the A or M parameter on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to respecify the action to be taken at the beginning of each output data set. Manual mode allows you to stop the writer at the beginning of each data set. Automatic mode allows continuous output processing if work is selected for the writer. Be careful when using manual mode on buffered devices such as the 3800 printer (see Calling a hot writer *CALL,WTR).

B=Y or N

Specifies that a burst record (job trailer) is to be placed behind each job (Y) or that the burst record option is to be suspended (N).

CB

Specifies whether clear printer processing is to be performed after each data set (D), at the end of each job (J), only when required by the 3800 writer (N).

CH

Specifies the reassigned character arrangement tables. No more than four table names can be specified. H specifies that this character arrangement table is to be used until you change it. R specifies JES3 may request a different table.

CK=nnn P or S

Specifies the number of pages (P) that will be written or the number of seconds (S) that elapse before a checkpoint is taken. This parameter is valid only for a printer running in FSS mode.

Use the CK= keyword on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to specify the number of pages that JES3 writes or the number of seconds that elapse before a checkpoint is taken. You can issue this command while the writer is active. The current activity continues and the new checkpoint interval takes effect when the writer selects its next work.

CM=

Specifies the reassigned copy modification module. trc. specifies the table reference character (0,1,2,3). H specifies that only the designated copy modification module is to be used on this device until you change this status. R specifies that JES3 may request that a different copy modification module be placed on this device. NONE specifies no copy modification module is designated for this writer.

CP=nnn or +nnn or -nnn

Specifies the new copy count by the actual number (1 to 255) of copies required (nnn), as an increase over the current copy count by the specified amount (+nnn), or as a decrease over the current amount by the specified amount (-nnn).

Use the CP= keyword on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to alter the number of copies of the currently active data set to be produced and to commence writer activity.

For a 3800 printer; if copy grouping is in effect for the currently active data set, a replacement, increase or decrease in the copy count affects the current copy group or groups.

CT=(STANDARD,H or ,R) or (carr,H or ,R)

Specifies the carriage tape (FCB) name. Specify STANDARD for the installation-defined standard carriage tape. H specifies that only the designated carriage tape is to be used until you change this status. R specifies that JES3 can request that a different carriage tape be placed on this device.

F=(STANDARD,H or ,R) or (form,H or ,R)

Specifies the form name. Specify STANDARD for the installation-defined standard form. H specifies that only designated forms are to be used until you change this status. R specifies that JES3 can request that different forms be placed on this device.

U=(STANDARD,H or ,R) or (train,H or ,R)

Specifies the band or train (UCS) name. Specify STANDARD for the installation-defined standard band or train. H specifies that only the designated band or train is to be used until you change this status. R specifies that JES3 can request that a different band or train be placed on this device.

Use the F=, CT=, and U= keywords on the *START,devname or *RESTART, devname command to respecify the forms, carriage tape (FCB), band or train (UCS), or all currently assigned to the output device while starting or restarting writer activity. This assignment can be made to either allow, or not allow, JES3 to request that your new assignments be made when output is in the queue with different writer-selection requirements.

/D

Specifies that the diagnostic mode is to be reset (turned off).

D

Specifies that the diagnostic mode is to be turned on. This causes message IAT7006 to be issued for each data set selected for processing. In addition, message IAT7060 is issued when *CALL, *START, *RESTART, and *CANCEL commands are processed. The diagnostic mode remains active until it is reset.

Use the D parameter on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to turn on the diagnostic mode and to start writer activity. See z/OS JES3 Diagnosis for a description of the data displayed during diagnostic mode.

D=devname or devnum or /devnum or (PRT or PUN,group)

Specifies the name or number (by 3-digit or 4-digit hexadecimal number) of an output device. Always use the JNAME of a device when selecting devices that are not directly connected to a channel. A slash (/) preceding the device number is not required. Device numbers can be specified by any of the following formats:

ddd
dddd
/ddd
/dddd

where ddd and dddd represent the device numbers.

H=Y or N

Specifies that a job header record is to precede the job and a data set header record is to be placed in front of each output data set (Y) or that the header record option is to be suspended (N).

L=nnnnnnnn+

Specifies the maximum number of lines (nnnnnnnn) a unit of work can have to be selected for output processing on this writer: only units of work at or below this maximum count are selected. Specifying nnnnnnnn+ indicates the minimum number of lines a unit of work can have: only units of work at or above this minimum count are selected for this writer.

NPRO=

Specifies the non-process-run-out interval. STANDARD specifies the initialization-defined value.

P

Specifies that the approximate number of pages or records remaining to be written for the current copy of the data set be displayed.

Use the P parameter on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to determine the current page or record position of a data set being processed by a writer.

PG=nnnnnnnn or nnnnnnnn+

Specifies the maximum number of pages (nnnnnnnn) a unit of work can have to be selected for output processing on this writer: only units of work at or below this maximum count are selected. Specifying (nnnnnnnn+) indicates the minimum number of pages a unit of work can have: only units of work at or above this minimum count are selected for this writer.

PM=/value1,/value2.... or /value

Use the PM= command to add or delete process mode values for a writer. The values specified on the DEVICE initialization statement remain in effect in addition to the new values you include on this command. You can specify up to eight process modes per writer and 255 process modes complex-wide. Use the slash to delete an existing process mode from a writer.

A writer can select only the data sets that match the process mode value specified in a user's // OUTPUT JCL statement.

Some devices are capable of operating in both FSS or compatibility mode such as the IBM® 3800-3 printer. The PM= parameter affects only the process mode(s) associated with the device mode that is active at the time you enter this command.

Use the *I,D,D= command to display the process modes currently in effect for a device.

Use the PM= keyword on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to specify the process modes that this writer can select. This command can be issued while the writer is active. The current activity continues and the process mode criteria take effect when the writer selects its next work. Note that regardless of the process modes specified, they can be ignored if the WS= keyword does not specify PM.

R=nnnnnnnn or +nnnnnnnnP

Specifies that the data set be spaced forward nnnnnnnn number of lines or nnnnnnnn number of pages (P) from the start of the current copy of the current data set. For a page-oriented device, you must specify the number in terms of pages (P).

Use the R= keyword on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to space the current copy of the current data set forward a prescribed number of lines or pages, and to restart writer activity.

If the data set is spaced forward past the end of the current copy, message IAT7006 is issued and the output writer is stopped. Spacing by page on a non-3800 printer, when pages are not defined in the data set, also causes message IAT7006 to be issued and the output writer to be stopped.

MK=

C - Specifies that you want copy marks printed on a data set copy basis. For multiple copies of a data set, JES3 increases the thickness of the copy mark after each copy.
J - Specifies that you want copy marks printed on a job basis.
N - Specifies that you do not want to use copy marks. Although JES3 continues to print a vertical line on the edges of output from IBM 3800 printers, the thickness does not vary.

S

Specifies that printing is to be in single-space mode for the remainder of the data set.

/S

Specifies that printing is to be resumed under any previous program control that was specified.

Use the S or /S parameter on the *START,devname command to print in single-space mode for the remainder of the data set, or to resume printing with American National Standard control characters or machine carriage control for the remainder of the data set (if program control was specified for the data set).

SS=

Specifies the stacker option. C specifies continuous fanfold. S specifies printed output is to be burst into separate sheets. H specifies that only the designated stacker option is to be used on this device until you change the status. R specifies that JES3 may request that a different stacker option be used on this device.

SZ=(xx,yy)

Specifies the number of pages (xx) in a SNA RJP chain and the number of lines (yy) per page. If yy is zero, then a page is defined as skip to channel one for printers or skip to a new card for punches.

Note: If you specify SZ=, xx must be specified and cannot be zero. This parameter overrides the CHNSIZE parameter on the DEVICE initialization statement.

T

Specifies that the writer will be ended automatically when this request completes.

WC=class

Specifies one or more output classes (A to Z, 0 to 9) that can be processed by this writer. The WC= parameter allows a maximum of 36 SYSOUT classes.

Use the WC= keyword on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to reassign the output classes that the writer can process. This command can be issued while the writer is active. Output classes of subsequent activity are affected. Note that regardless of the classes specified, they can be ignored if output class (CL) is not specified in the WS= keyword.

WS=(VALUE,/VAL....)

Specifies one or more writer-selection characteristics that JES3 uses when selecting output for this device. /value specifies that the characteristic prefixed with a slash (/) is not to be used as writer-selection criterion. To specify characteristics, enter the corresponding letter:

P  - data set output priority
D  - destination
T  - specific device type
F  - forms required
C  - carriage tape (FCB) required
U  - UCS or characters required
CL - output class
L  - line and page limits
FL - flash-id (forms overlay)
CM - copy modification module
SS - stacker option
PM - data set process mode

If you selected more than one characteristic, JES3 determines the importance of the characteristic by the order in which you specified them. The ones you do not select remain in the order established at initialization, or in earlier updates, and follow those that you enter in order of importance.

When Priority is Specified:

If you specify priority (P), JES3 selects the job with the highest priority that meets other selection criteria. Otherwise, JES3 selects the first job on the output service queue that meets the selection criteria.

Once a job is selected, the units of work for that job are always selected based on priority.

When Characteristics are Omitted:

For any omitted characteristics, JES3 uses the device characteristic, regardless of the data set specification. The following examples illustrate how device characteristics are used:

If the writer selection criteria does not include ‘F’ (forms), the device specifies forms=‘RED’, and the output data set calls for forms=‘BLUE’, JES3 prints the data set using the ‘RED’ forms.
If the writer selection criteria does not include ‘U’ (UCS/CHARS), the device specifies CHARS=GT20, and the data set specifies CHARS=GT15, JES3 prints the output using CHARS=GT20.

Note: Specifying the not (/) indication has the same result as omitting a writer-selection characteristic: JES3 uses the device characteristic for the selection criteria you remove. Following are examples of specifying a /value:

*START,PR1,WS=(F,C,U,/P)

This command starts a writer for the printer named PR1 and reassigns selection based on forms, carriage tape, and UCS, regardless of output priority. All other characteristics remaining in their existing order.

*START,PR1,WS=(F,C,/D)

The /D negates destination checking, so a job may print at an incorrect destination.

Note: After respecifying writer-selection characteristics, you should issue the *R,devname,RSCD command to force the writer through a scheduling pass with the new criteria. At this point the writer will find work to process or terminate. In either case, the new characteristics will remain in effect until you respecify new ones.

When you specify manual mode for a 3800 printer, there is typically a delay between the time the *START command is issued and the time the data set appears on the paper. These delays can significantly increase the overall time required to process jobs that call for 3800 printer output. You can also specify manual mode for 3800 printers running in FSS mode. Consult your system programmer before using this option.

Rules

When limits are a selection criterion, a unit of work will be selected when both line and page parameters have been satisfied, except when both criteria have been defined as minimums. In the latter case, only one of the two criteria must be met for data set selection on the writer.
Use the L= and PG= and SZ= keywords on the *START,devname or *RESTART,devname command to reassign the number of output lines or pages allowed per unit of work. Units of work outside the limit are not scheduled to this writer. Only subsequent units of work are scheduled accordingly.

Results

Specifying line or page limit criteria overrides the LINELIM= and PAGELIM= values on the DEVICE initialization statement, or values defined on previous writer commands.
If both headers and trailers are in effect for an FSS-supported device, operator commands effecting the user's output will cause either message IAT7066 or IAT7067 to be printed on that output.