Easytrieve Quick Guide

Before You Start

Gather four facts from your data owner or copybook: record length (LRECL), record format (FB or VB), field names, and starting byte positions with lengths and types. Confirm the Easytrieve compiler is available on your LPAR—STEPLIB points to product load libraries—and you have a test PDS member for source. You do not need COBOL knowledge; you do need patience to align field positions exactly—one-byte errors shift every column right of the mistake.

Step 1 — Declare the FILE

In the Library section, FILE names the logical file and its organization. FB(150 1800) means fixed blocked records of 150 bytes with block size 1800—typical for many shop standards. Each field line gives name, start position (1-based in Easytrieve), length, type A/N/P, and packed decimals if P. This block is declarative: no records move yet; you are drawing a map.

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FILE PERSNL FB(150 1800)
  EMPNAME  17  8  A
  EMP-NBR   9  5  N
  DEPT     98  3  N
  GROSS    94  4  P  2

EMPNAME starts at byte 17 for 8 characters alphanumeric. DEPT at 98 for 3 numeric digits is your filter key. GROSS is packed decimal with two decimal places—common for salary amounts. Verify positions against a hex dump or copybook if output looks wrong.

Step 2 — Define the REPORT Layout

Still in Library, REPORT names the printed layout PAY-RPT. LINESIZE 80 fits standard printer lines. TITLE 01 sets the first title line—often includes report name; date and page may be automatic depending on options. LINE 01 lists columns for one detail row. The report writer aligns fields when PRINT runs.

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REPORT PAY-RPT LINESIZE 80
  TITLE 01 'PERSONNEL REPORT EXAMPLE-1'
  LINE 01 DEPT EMPNAME EMP-NBR GROSS

Step 3 — JOB INPUT and Filter

Activity section starts with JOB INPUT PERSNL. Easytrieve opens PERSNL, reads each record, runs statements inside the job for that record, repeats until EOF. IF DEPT EQ 911 keeps only department 911 employees for the PRINT below. END-IF closes the condition. Without IF, every record prints.

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JOB INPUT PERSNL
  IF DEPT EQ 911
     PRINT PAY-RPT
  END-IF

Step 4 — Complete Program and STOP

Add STOP at end of activities for explicit termination—many programs rely on implicit end after JOB completes. Full minimal program combines Library and Activity. Optional PARM LIST FILE at top requests listing and file diagnostics during development compile.

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PARM LIST FILE
 
FILE PERSNL FB(150 1800)
  EMPNAME  17  8  A
  EMP-NBR   9  5  N
  DEPT     98  3  N
  GROSS    94  4  P  2
 
JOB INPUT PERSNL
  IF DEPT EQ 911
     PRINT PAY-RPT
  END-IF
 
REPORT PAY-RPT LINESIZE 80
  TITLE 01 'PERSONNEL REPORT EXAMPLE-1'
  LINE 01 DEPT EMPNAME EMP-NBR GROSS
 
STOP

Broadcom samples sometimes place REPORT before JOB; both orders compile when Library rules are met—keep REPORT definitions together for readability. Your site standard may require REPORT immediately after FILE.

Step 5 — JCL Outline

JCL allocates datasets and invokes Easytrieve runtime. STEPLIB includes product libraries. SYSIN points to your source member. PERSNL DD points to input file. SYSPRINT captures listing and runtime messages. REGION=0M is common on current releases for large programs.

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//QUICK    JOB ...
//STEP1    EXEC PGM=EZTPA00,REGION=0M
//STEPLIB  DD  DSN=PROD.EZT1106.SLOAD,DISP=SHR
//SYSPRINT DD  SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD  DSN=DEV.EZT.SOURCE(QUICKRPT),DISP=SHR
//PERSNL   DD  DSN=DEV.PERSNL.TEST,DISP=SHR

Step 6 — Compile, Run, Verify

1. Submit job or compile step; open SYSPRINT.
2. Fix syntax errors—line numbers reference source.
3. Run with test data; locate spool report output.
4. Verify only DEPT 911 rows appear with correct names and GROSS.
5. Compare field alignment—if columns shift, recheck FILE positions.
6. Remove DEBUG PARM before promoting to production proc.

Expected Report Output

Broadcom filtered report sample shows dated header, page number, column headings, and detail lines for department 911 employees. Titles and spacing come from report writer defaults plus your TITLE and LINE definitions. Totals are not in minimal sample—add CONTROL and accumulators in next learning step.

Common First-Program Mistakes

• FILE start positions off by one—compare to copybook.
• PRINT name not matching REPORT name.
• DD name in JCL not matching FILE name.
• Missing END-IF after IF block.
• Packed field without decimal clause when dollars expected.
• Using production file before testing filter logic.

Next Steps After Quick Guide

Explain It Like I'm Five

You tell the computer what is in each row of the file (FILE), how the printed page should look (REPORT), then say read every row (JOB INPUT), only keep kids in room 911 (IF), and print a line for each (PRINT). JCL is how you plug the file and program into the big computer. SYSPRINT is the note from the teacher saying if you made a spelling mistake.

Exercises

1. Type the full sample and change filter to another department.
2. Add a second field to LINE and observe column spacing.
3. Remove IF temporarily—count rows printed versus filtered run.
4. Sketch JCL DD names matching each FILE in your program.
5. List three differences between Library and Activity statements in your sample.