OW15157: APPC/ASUITE AFTP AFTPD RC=0 RETURN CODE

APAR status

• Closed as documentation error.

Error description

• AFTP always returns a successful completion code ( zero 0 ) ,
  even if the job fails.  This makes it difficult to invoke
  AFTP from a batch program, as the return code always indicates
  it was successful when it may have failed.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED: APPC Application Suite users.                *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  When exiting, the AFTP function always returns with a return
  code of success (RC=0), even if a file transfer operation
  (or any AFTP command) failed while in the AFTP command
  environment.
  

Problem conclusion

• While inside the AFTP command interface, any number of
  commands can be executed.  A user may misspell the name of a
  directory while changing the current working directory,
  which would fail. The user may then correctly change the current
  working directory, and then proceed to misspell the name of the
  file to be sent.  Finally, after correcting the name of
  the file, the file transfer succeeds.
  Since there is no practical way to concatenate return
  codes or merge them, the function will continue to return a
  positive return code on exit.  This return code signifies only
  that the AFTP environment was entered and exited.
  
  If a return code from a file transfer is needed, the user should
  be using the command line interface, acopy.  The acopy return
  code reflects the success (or failure) of the file transfer.
  This would be appropriate for users executing file transfers
  from a batch job.
  
  The following text will be added to the APPC Application Suite
  User's Guide (SC31-6532-00):
  
  Chapter 5. APPC File Transfer Protocol(AFTP)
   Section: "Using the Interfaces:  Command Line versus Command
     Environment"
    -Add a new line to the Table as follows:
       Function                        acopy Command AFTP command
                                                     Environment
       ----------------------------------------------------------
       Return Code reflecting          yes           no
       outcome of command
  
    -Add a new paragraph at end of section as follows:
  
     Note:  The AFTP command Environment on exit always gives a
     successful return code.  The acopy command return code
     is based on the success or failure of the file transfer,
     making it more appropriate for execution from a batch job.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

Applicable component levels