Creating user-defined variable definitions

To create a user-defined variable definitions member, complete the following steps.

Procedure

  1. Create a copy of the sample VARDEFS member, which is in the control data set that the installation and configuration process generates.
  2. Modify the copy. Use the options on the Tivoli Advanced Allocation Management Control Member Management panel (preferred), or use the ISPF EDIT function.
    1. Verify that the first line of the member is the comment:

      * VAR DEFINITIONS

    2. Create user-defined variables. A user-defined variable consists of a variable name that begins with an ampersand. Define the variable using the VARIABLE_NAME= keyword, followed by a VALUE= keyword statement (where keyword can be 1 - 44 characters). When the RULEDEFS or VGRPDEFS are activated, the variable must satisfy the syntax requirements of the keyword. For more information, see User defined variable syntax.
      Note:
      • User-defined variables cannot be embedded in other variables.
      • Do not place comparison operands on a VARDEFS member VALUE keyword. Doing so causes the operands to be treated as another keyword substitution value. To be treated as comparison operands, specify them only within rule definition keywords that support comparison operands. For more information, see Comparison operands and user-defined variables.
  3. Save the member using a valid one to eight-character member name. All control data set member names must adhere to standard PDS member name conventions.

    After you define the variable in the variable definitions member, the variable can be specified on select keywords as noted in the syntax descriptions.

  4. To specify the variable definitions to use when the rule definitions or volume group definitions are activated, issue the Advanced Allocation Management operator command SETVARDEFS from a z/OS® console.
    For more information, see Specifying the VARDEFS member.