A stepname is optional, but is needed for the following. When a stepname is needed, it must be unique within the job, including stepnames in any procedures called by the job. If stepnames are not unique within the job, results might be unpredictable; but in most cases, references to non-unique stepnames will resolve to the first occurrence of that stepname.

• Referring to the step in later job control statements.
• Overriding parameters on an EXEC statement or DD statement in a cataloged or in-stream procedure step.
• Adding DD statements to a cataloged or in-stream procedure step. However, a stepname is not required when adding to the first step in a procedure.
• Performing a step or checkpoint restart at or in the step.
• Identifying a step in a cataloged or in-stream procedure.

Code a stepname as follows:

• The stepname must begin in column 3.
• The stepname is 1 through 8 alphanumeric or national ($, #, @) characters.
• The first character must be alphabetic or national ($, #, @).
• The stepname must be followed by at least one blank.
• The stepname may be preceded by up to 8 alphanumeric or national characters and then separated by a period. If the stepname is coded in this way, the characters up to and including the period are ignored.