Chris, I was having similar thoughts as you, although not to the extent of yours. I tend to think along the first of your ideas about the purpose of the RC, that being to indicate the success of the process doing what it is supposed to do. But I would disagree with your idea of everything being RC=0. In my mind, if SMP/E decides a PTF shouldn't go on because of a hold (whether error hold or other reason like ACTION), it shouldn't throw a RC=8, because that is SMP/E doing what it should. However, if a utility fails, then SMP/E did NOT do what it was supposed to do, that is install the software or maintenance or whatever. In any case of SMP/E deciding that something should APPLY/ACCEPT/whatever, and it doesn't, a RC=8 (or higher) is warranted.
Maybe in way of compromise, SMP/E should set a RC=6 instead of 8 where maintenance is stopped due to an error hold. :-) Rex -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf Of Chris Hoelscher Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 10:12 AM To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU Subject: Re: PTF error clarification I guess I have a basic question - is a return code intended to indicate that success of a process doing what it is supposed to do? Or the meaningfulness of the results of the process to the person who makes uses of the results of the process? If the former - then should EVERY run of APPLY return a RC=0 unless there is malformed input where SMP/e could NOT do what it is supposed to do (on the assumption of well-formed input) If the latter - then are return codes ever meaningful - every result set should be reviewed with equal diligence without regard to the RC (smp/e can't guess what is acceptable or meaningful to YOU) If seems that in either case - the RC is not as important as the results; does a RC-9 mean that SMP/E did what YOU wanted it to? Or just that the process ended without what SMP/E considers to be problems ... Back to my hole .... Chris Hoelscher Technology Architect, Database Infrastructure Services Technology Solution Services : humana.com 123 East Main Street Louisville, KY 40202 Humana.com (502) 714-8615, (502) 476-2538 ctions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain CONFIDENTIAL material. If you receive this material/information in error, please contact the sender and delete or destroy the material/information. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN The information contained in this message is confidential, protected from disclosure and may be legally privileged. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, distribution, copying, or any action taken or action omitted in reliance on it, is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
