Introduction › How the Started Task Works › How the Started Task Data Sets Are Allocated

How the Started Task Data Sets Are Allocated

The started task dynamically allocates SYSOUT data sets as they are needed for copies of reports.

It works this way:

• The report definition in the database is examined for print attributes that are used to allocate the data sets.
• Any attributes specified in the report definition are used "as is."
• For any attributes omitted from the report definition, the corresponding print attribute, as specified in the JCL for the DD statement, is obtained from the operating system SIOT and JFCB and used.
• If the initialization parameter OUTPUT is set to OUTPUT=YES, SJF services are invoked to obtain the print attributes in the first OUTPUT JCL statement, if any.
• During network input processing, the print attributes are obtained from JES.

Prior to producing any data for a report, the model banner page is read into memory and the starting banner page is constructed from the definition data for the report and output.

When the SYSOUT data set is closed and the task gains control:

• Records remaining in memory are written out for the reports
• The ending banner page is constructed and output
• The dynamically-allocated data sets are closed and (optionally) freed.