Validating JCL

Use the Validate JCL action to validate data set links in JCL files that are open in the JCL Editor.

Before you begin

You must be connected to a remote system.

About this task

The Validate JCL editor command submits a JCL file that is open in the JCL Editor to the JES subsystem with the /*SCAN directive. This action is equivalent to running the JCL with the TYPRUN=SCAN subparameter. Its function varies according to the JES system in place: JES2 or JES3. For more information about how the JES subsystem scans JCL and about the TYPRUN=SCAN subparameter, see the following topics in the z/OS® IBM® Documentation. These links open the documentation for the latest release of z/OS.
Restriction: The following restrictions and limitations apply to the Validate JCL command:
  • If the JCL file contains syntax errors, the results of data set identification and validation might not be accurate.
  • The command does not support cataloged procedures.
  • The command returns only warnings and does not distinguish between JCL errors, warnings and informational messages.
  • When validating the existence of data sets, the command does not take into account the value of the DISP parameter, such as NEW, MOD, or SHR.

Procedure

  1. Open a JCL file in the JCL Editor, and click Source > Validate JCL or press Alt+V.
    The JCL Editor scans the file for links to data set names in DSNAME or DSN JCL statements and validates whether the data sets exist. Validation messages are written to the Remote Error List view.
  2. To open the editor and see highlights of the relevant data set names, double-click a validation message in the Remote Error List.