OUTPUT Statement

Purpose

The OUTPUT statement specifies the output processing options for SYSOUT data sets. It allows for customized control of printed output, such as formatting, destination, and number of copies.

Syntax

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//name OUTPUT parameter[,parameter]...

Key Parameters

• name - A 1-8 character name that identifies the OUTPUT statement. Must begin with an alphabetic (A-Z) or national (@, #, $) character.
• CLASS=x - Assigns the output to a specific output class.
• COPIES=nnn - Specifies the number of copies to be printed.
• DEST=destination - Specifies the destination for the output.
• FORMS=form-name - Specifies the forms to be used.

Common Parameters

• BURST=YES|NO - Controls whether output is bursted (separated at page boundaries)
• CHARS=table-name - Specifies character arrangement table
• FLASH=overlay-name - Specifies a forms overlay to be used
• LINECT=nnn - Maximum lines per page
• PAGEDEF=member-name - Page definition for AFP printing
• FORMDEF=member-name - Form definition for AFP printing
• TITLE='text' - Title to be printed on separator pages
• WRITER=external-writer - Name of an external writer program

Examples

Default OUTPUT Statement

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//OUTJOB  OUTPUT CLASS=A,COPIES=3,DEST=LOCAL

OUTPUT Referenced by a DD Statement

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//REPORT  OUTPUT CLASS=A,COPIES=2,FORMS=STD,DEST=RMT01
//STEP1   EXEC PGM=PAYROLL
//PRINT   DD SYSOUT=*,OUTPUT=*.REPORT

Multiple OUTPUT Statements

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//REP1    OUTPUT COPIES=1,DEST=LOCAL
//REP2    OUTPUT COPIES=1,DEST=RMT02
//STEP1   EXEC PGM=PAYROLL
//PRINT   DD SYSOUT=A,OUTPUT=(*.REP1,*.REP2)

Notes

• OUTPUT statements can be placed at the job level (applies to all steps) or step level (applies to that step only)
• DD statements reference OUTPUT statements via the OUTPUT parameter
• Multiple OUTPUT statements can be referenced by a single DD statement
• The OUTPUT statement parameters override corresponding parameters in the DD statement
• Default OUTPUT JCL statements can be set up by the system programmer
• OUTPUT statements not referenced by any DD statement are ignored

Related Concepts

• DD Statements - Can reference OUTPUT statements
• SYSOUT Parameter - For directing output to print queues
• MSGCLASS Parameter - For JOB output handling
• JOB Statement - Can contain default output parameters

Related Pages

• DD Statement - References OUTPUT statements via OUTPUT parameter
• JOB Statement - Can contain job-level OUTPUT statements
• CLASS Parameter - Used in both JOB and OUTPUT statements
• DEST Parameter - Specifies output destination
• FORMS Parameter - Specifies the forms to use
• COPIES Parameter - Controls number of copies