Tutorial: JCL

JCL applications written to run on a z/OS or VSE mainframe can be run on Enterprise Server. In this tutorial, you use Enterprise Developer to create and build a JCL application project, and create a JES-enabled enterprise server region on which to run the compiled application by submitting a JCL job. You then view the job progress, and spool queues and catalog results, all from within the Enterprise Developer IDE.

This is tutorial intended both as an introduction to using JCL with the Enterprise Developer and Enterprise Server environments and as an Installation Verification Procedure (IVP) to confirm that JCL support is correctly installed.

Assumptions

This tutorial is written from the perspective that all of the following is true. Specific instructions for setting up your environment to adhere to these assumptions is found in the Before you begin this tutorial section that follows:

  • Windows File Explorer is set to show file names and extensions.
  • You are running the latest version of Micro Focus Enterprise Developer, which has been installed on your local machine using default installation settings.
  • Enterprise Developer is started on your local machine.
  • Your parent project directory is c:\tutorials\JCL. If you choose to use an alternative parent project directory, adjust the instructions accordingly.
  • You have addressed all of the items in the Before you begin this tutorial section below.

Before you begin this tutorial

Before beginning, be sure you have addressed each of the following items:

Set Windows File Explorer options
These tutorials assume that your Windows File Explorer options are set to use the Details layout, and to show file name extensions. See your Windows documentation for more information.
Create a parent project directory
Create a directory in which to store the project files imported or created while completing this tutorial, which cites a parent project directory of c:\tutorials\JCL.
Start Visual Studio
If you need instructions to get Visual Studio started on your local machine, see To start Visual Studio.
Note: If Visual Studio prompts you on startup to select an initial action, click Continue without code.

Demonstration application - JCLDEMO

The JCLDEMO demonstration application consists of the following source files:

ESJCL.jcl
JCL that runs the JCLTEST job, which performs the following tasks:
  • Using the IDCAMS utility, deletes any previous instance of the data set created by executing the JCLCREAT program
  • Executes the JCLCREAT COBOL program
  • Using the IEBGENER utility, populates a temporary data set
  • Executes the JCLREAD COBOL program
JCLCREAT.cbl
A COBOL program that creates and populates a simple data set.
JCLREAD.cbl
A COBOL program that writes the contents of the temporary data set to SYSOUT.

Sequence

To complete this tutorial, progress through these topics in the order presented here. The bottom of each topic provides Next topic and Previous topic navigational links to help you proceed in the proper sequence:

  1. Set Up the JCLDEMO Project
    Walks you through the process of creating a native mainframe COBOL project comprising all of the components required to run the JCLDEMO application.
  2. Set Up the ESJCL Enterprise Server Region
    Provides step-by-step instructions to create and configure a JES-enabled enterprise server region that runs JCL jobs.
  3. Run the ESJCL Job
    Provides instructions for submitting the ESJCL job to the ESJCL enterprise server region from the JCLDEMO project, and viewing the resulting spool queue and catalog.
  4. Debug JCLDEMO
    From within the IDE, you can debug the COBOL program as it runs on the enterprise server.
Parent topic: Mainframe Tutorials
Related tasks
To start Visual Studio
Related information
About JCL applications
JCL Support