I have wanted to be able to pass long parms from JCL since the early 80's. I've have to use inventive ways to get around that restriction. I've listened to many people complain that 100 characters was too small. Something like PARMX has be desired for a very long time by many people. A solution is long over due.
The PARMX suggestion would not require any existing programs to be changed, would not require existing JCL to be changed. Existing JCL and programs would continue to work without any changes. You don't have to use it, if you don't like it. PARMX would allow JCL to pass long parms more like other existing languages. You could create new JCL or update old JCL to invoke an existing program using PARMX; that program may or may not be able to gracefully handle parms greater that 100 characters. If it can, then you have a easy way to pass that program more than 100 character parm. If it can't, don't use PARMX with that program. SAF could be used to control usage of PARMX for those would don't like it. Implementing PARMS would not prevent other features like environment variables, etc. from being implemented as well. That is about as compatible as you can get. It seems like we are making a mountain out of mole hill, so I'm going to submit a PARMX requirement to IBM. So IBM will decide. Don Williams -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:ibm-m...@bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Rick Fochtman Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:56 PM To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu Subject: Re: An Alternative Modest PARM Proposal -----------------------------<snip>-------------------------------- Wow! Do you have ANY idea of who you just challenged??? I see blood and the streets, and it won't be Chris'. -------------------------------<unsnip>--------------------------- While I agree that Chris needs a better understanding of all the issues involved, I must admit that I agree with the sentiments expressed. Yes, compatability must be maintained, as ugly as it may be. Making a major change now, after 45+ years, could cause major chaos and discontent in MANY shops. Rick ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
