Using FORMDEF with COPIES or FLASH parameters in JCL

If you specify a form definition by coding the FORMDEF parameter in the OUTPUT JCL statement, the number of copies and whether a forms flash is used is determined by the specifications in the subgroups of a copy group. If the JCL COPIES parameter is also specified, it is used only to determine how many times the data set is to be transmitted. If the JCL FLASH parameter is specified, PSF ignores it.

Specifying COPIES with the FORMDEF parameter

The examples in this topic show the effects on the number of copies printed when the JCL COPIES parameter is coded and the number of copies is specified in the form definition selected by FORMDEF. COPIES shows how to code the JCL COPIES parameter.

1. In this example, assume that you have a two-page print job that uses a form definition that includes a copy group containing two subgroups. The first subgroup calls for two copies with a particular set of modifications, and the second subgroup calls for one copy with another set of modifications. In the JCL, you would specify COPIES=3. The data set is transmitted to the printer three times, and you get three collated copies of the entire job. The printed output would be as shown in Figure 37. Nine copies of page one are printed, and nine copies of page two are printed.
   Figure 37. Output from three transmissions of a two-page data set

   
2. In this example, assume that you use the same form definition as in the first example: the first subgroup specifies two copies, and the second subgroup specifies one copy. In the JCL, specify COPIES=(,(3,1,5,2)).

   The two-page data set is sent to the printer four times, because four groupvalues (3,1,5,2) are specified (see groupvalue). However, those group values have no effect on the number of copies printed, because that number is determined by the form definition specified in the JCL FORMDEF parameter; the number of copies printed would be exactly the same if you used an entirely different set of group values. When the data set is printed, 12 copies of page one are printed, and 12 copies of page two are printed, as Figure 38 shows.

   Figure 38. Output from four transmissions of a two-page data set

   

Specifying COPIES without the FORMDEF parameter

If PSF uses the default form definition because you did not code the FORMDEF parameter, you can use the JCL COPIES parameter to specify the number of copies to be printed. The system interprets the COPIES parameter variables, nnn and groupvalue, as described in groupvalue.

If you specify group values in the COPIES parameter, PSF uses only these modifications in the default form definition’s subgroup:

• Maximum horizontal adjustment
• Offset stacking
• Edge marking

PSF ignores other modifications. If you specify group values in your JCL, the values override the copy group in the default form definition. A default form definition modified by the group value variable in the COPIES parameter is classified as a modified-default form definition. If you do not specify the COPIES parameter or the COPYCNT parameter, and no copy group values are specified in the active copy group in the form definition, PSF prints a single copy.

Specifying FLASH without the FORMDEF parameter

If PSF uses the default form definition because you did not code the FORMDEF parameter, you can use the JCL FLASH parameter to specify whether the forms flash unit on your 3800 printer is to be used for your print job. The default form definition modified by the FLASH parameter is classified as a modified-default form definition. For more information about the FLASH parameter, see Using a forms flash on a 3800 printer.

PSF uses only these modifications in the default form definition subgroup:

• Maximum horizontal adjustment
• Offset stacking
• Edge marking

PSF ignores other modifications. If you omit the FLASH parameter, PSF uses the default form definition without modification.