Knowledge Base > Automation Engine and Target Systems > z/OS > JCL Exit

JCL Exit

JCL Exits are available when processing z/OS jobs. These exits are supplied in the form of a module which can be used to modify the generated job before it is processed.

Create a z/OS job in the AE as usual. Its start causes the generated job to be sent to the agent which completes it and executes the job in the target system. When using the JCL Exit, the agent calls the specified module before executing the job. In doing so, the JCL in z/OS can be changed subsequently. You can add, change or evaluate JCL lines, thereby preventing the start of particular programs, for example.

You can either create the JCL Exit module in Assembler code or in the programming language C. The module is specified in the agent's INI-file section JCL Exit. Note that there are different INI-file parameters for the Assembler-based and the C-based JCL Exit (see configurationA set of constituent components that make up a system. This includes information on how the components are connected including the settings applied. instructions below).
The agents only loads one JCL Exit module. By default, the system uses the c-based JCL Exit if it has been specified.

The supplied CD contains a folder for z/OS agents. It includes a sample module in the file uc4jcle.asm (Assembler) which inserts comment lines. It also contains a description about how the module is used.

The JCL Exit module can be individually activated for each z/OS agent. The module is loaded when the agent starts.

Configuring the C Module

The agent always uses the c-based JCL Exit module provided that is has been specified.
Enter the name of your JCL Exit module and the various functions in the INI file of the z/OS agent. You use the following parameters for this purpose:

(JCL-Exit)
ExitModul=Module name
ExitFunction=ExitFunction name
InitFunction=InitFunction name (optional)
CloseFunction=CloseFunction name (optional)

Now restart the agent.

Configuring the Assembler Module

This module is used when you have not specified a c-based JCL Exit.
Enter the name of your JCL Exit module in the z/OS agent's INI file and specify the size of the output range.

(JCL Exit)
name=Module name
maxJclRecords=1000

Copy this module either to the AE Load library or add the STEPLIB definition for the agent to the library with the JCL Exit.
Now (re)start the agent (this includes the loading of the module).