Workflow

Using the Batch Facility typically involves the following steps:

1. Request a report. The end user requests a report from an analyst.
2. Create the syntax. The analyst creates the command syntax file to produce the report. The file also specifies the data. The analyst may also specify the type of output and other Batch Facility command line options.
3. Submit the command syntax file. The analyst submits the command file to IT professional to be run. The analyst may also specify when the report is to be run (to get the latest data) and where to store the output.
4. Run the syntax. The IT professional runs the command file and puts output in the agreed-upon place. Usually this is done by writing a shell script or batch program.
5. Deploy the report. The end users gets access to the report, possibly through the file system or though a Web browser link implemented by the Web administrator.

The steps are discussed in detail in the following chapters. The last two steps are repeated periodically for the lifetime of the report.