Viewing Job Output: SDSF Integration vs Spool Listing

Viewing job output is essential for verifying job execution, debugging issues, and reviewing results. ISPF provides multiple ways to view job output, including SDSF (System Display and Search Facility) integration and direct spool listing access. Understanding different viewing methods helps you efficiently access and review job output. This tutorial covers SDSF integration, spool listing, browsing job output, and best practices.

SDSF provides a user-friendly interface for viewing job output stored in the JES spool. While you can access spool data directly, SDSF makes it much easier to find, browse, and search job output. This tutorial provides practical guidance for viewing job output effectively.

Understanding Job Output

Job output includes all data produced during job execution.

What is Job Output?

Job output includes:

• SYSOUT data (system output)
• Dataset output (if written to datasets)
• Job messages and logs
• Error messages and diagnostics
• Program output and results

SYSOUT Classes

SYSOUT data is organized by classes:

• Class X: Standard output (most common)
• Class A: Application output
• Other Classes: System-defined classes
• Classes determine output routing and handling

Output Storage

Job output is stored in:

• JES Spool: Temporary storage for SYSOUT
• Datasets: Permanent storage if written to datasets
• System Logs: System-level logging

Understanding SDSF

SDSF is the primary tool for viewing job output interactively.

What is SDSF?

SDSF (System Display and Search Facility) is an ISPF application that provides:

• Interactive job output viewing
• Job status monitoring
• System log access
• Spool data browsing
• Search and filter capabilities

SDSF Features

Key SDSF features include:

• Job Status: View job execution status
• Output Browsing: Browse job output interactively
• Search: Search for text in output
• Filtering: Filter jobs and output
• Navigation: Easy navigation through output

Accessing SDSF

To access SDSF:

• Type "SDSF" at TSO command line
• Or use ISPF Option 6 (Command) and type "SDSF"
• SDSF opens with main menu
• Navigate to different SDSF panels

SDSF Panels

SDSF provides various panels for different functions.

Main SDSF Menu

The main SDSF menu provides access to:

• DA: Active jobs
• I: Input queue
• O: Output queue
• ST: Status of jobs
• H: Held jobs
• LOG: System log
• Other panels for specific functions

Output Panel (O)

The Output panel shows:

• Jobs with output ready
• Job names and IDs
• Output classes
• Output status
• Options to browse output

Status Panel (ST)

The Status panel shows:

• Job execution status
• Job names and IDs
• Completion codes
• Job steps and status
• Links to output

Viewing Job Output in SDSF

Browsing job output in SDSF is straightforward.

Finding Your Job

To find your job in SDSF:

• Navigate to Output (O) or Status (ST) panel
• Use filter commands to find your job
• Search by job name or job ID
• Scroll through job list

Browsing Output

To browse job output:

• Select your job in the list
• Use line command "?" to browse output
• Or navigate to output datasets
• Browse through output lines
• Use SDSF browse commands for navigation

SDSF Browse Commands

Common SDSF browse commands:

• UP/DOWN: Scroll up/down
• TOP/BOTTOM: Go to top/bottom
• FIND: Search for text
• LOCATE: Locate specific line
• RFIND: Repeat find

Viewing Specific Output

To view specific output:

• Select output dataset from job
• Browse specific SYSOUT class
• View job messages separately
• Access step-specific output

Spool Listing

Spool listing refers to direct access to JES spool data.

What is Spool Listing?

Spool listing is:

• Direct access to JES spool data
• Raw output data storage
• Less user-friendly than SDSF
• Requires more technical knowledge
• Used for programmatic access

Spool vs SDSF

Key differences:

• SDSF: User-friendly interface, search capabilities, easy navigation
• Spool: Raw data access, programmatic interface, less user-friendly
• SDSF is recommended for interactive viewing
• Spool access used for automation

Browsing Output Datasets

If jobs write to datasets, you can browse them directly.

Output Written to Datasets

Some jobs write output to datasets:

• Specified in JCL DD statements
• Permanent storage (not in spool)
• Can be browsed using ISPF Browse
• Accessible like any dataset

Browsing Dataset Output

To browse dataset output:

• Use ISPF Option 1 (Browse)
• Enter dataset name
• Browse output like any dataset
• Use browse commands for navigation

SDSF Integration with ISPF

SDSF integrates seamlessly with ISPF.

ISPF Integration

SDSF integration provides:

• Consistent ISPF interface
• ISPF command support
• Integration with ISPF utilities
• Familiar navigation patterns
• ISPF help and support

Accessing from ISPF

To access SDSF from ISPF:

• Use Option 6 (Command)
• Type "SDSF" and press Enter
• SDSF opens in ISPF session
• Use ISPF commands within SDSF
• Return to ISPF when done

Searching Job Output

SDSF provides powerful search capabilities.

Finding Text in Output

To search for text:

• Use FIND command in SDSF browse
• Enter search text
• SDSF highlights matches
• Use RFIND to find next match
• Search is case-sensitive or case-insensitive

Filtering Jobs

To filter jobs in SDSF:

• Use filter commands on panels
• Filter by job name pattern
• Filter by job ID
• Filter by status
• Filter by user ID

Best Practices

Following best practices helps you view job output effectively:

• Use SDSF for Interactive Viewing: Use SDSF for most job output viewing
• Check Job Status First: Check job status before viewing output
• Use Search Efficiently: Use search to find specific information quickly
• Review Error Messages: Always review error messages in output
• Save Important Output: Save important output to datasets if needed
• Understand Output Classes: Know which output class contains what information
• Monitor Job Progress: Monitor job status while it's running
• Document Output Locations: Keep notes on where to find specific output

Common Scenarios

Common scenarios for viewing job output.

Checking Job Completion

To check if a job completed:

• Access SDSF Status panel
• Find your job by name or ID
• Check completion code
• Review job steps status
• View output if needed

Debugging Job Failures

To debug job failures:

• View job output in SDSF
• Search for error messages
• Review failed step output
• Check system messages
• Review return codes

Reviewing Program Output

To review program output:

• Browse job output in SDSF
• Navigate to program output dataset
• Review output content
• Verify expected results
• Save output if needed

Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions.

Cannot Find Job Output

If you cannot find job output:

• Verify job completed successfully
• Check job name spelling
• Verify job ID is correct
• Check output class
• Look in different SDSF panels

Output Not Available

If output is not available:

• Check if job is still running
• Verify output was produced
• Check output class routing
• Verify spool space availability
• Check for output dataset instead

Explain Like I'm 5: Viewing Job Output

Think of viewing job output like checking your homework after you turn it in:

• Job Output is like the graded homework your teacher returns. When you submit a job (like turning in homework), the computer processes it and creates output (like your teacher grading it). The output shows what happened, any mistakes, and the results. It's like getting your homework back with comments!
• SDSF is like a special folder system that organizes all your graded homework. Instead of having papers scattered everywhere, SDSF puts everything in one place where you can easily find your specific homework, read through it, and search for specific things. It's like having a smart filing system for your graded work!
• Spool Listing is like the raw stack of papers before they're organized. It's all the output data stored together, but it's harder to find specific things. SDSF takes that raw stack and organizes it so you can easily find what you need. It's like the difference between a messy pile of papers and an organized filing system!
• Browsing Output is like reading through your graded homework. You can scroll through it, search for specific words (like "error" or "correct"), and jump to different sections. It's like having a smart way to read through your homework and find the important parts!

So viewing job output is like checking your graded homework using a smart filing system that helps you find and read everything easily!

Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to reinforce your understanding of viewing job output:

Exercise 1: Access SDSF

Practice access: access SDSF from ISPF, navigate SDSF panels, understand SDSF interface, and learn SDSF navigation. Master SDSF access.

Exercise 2: Find and View Job Output

Practice viewing: submit a test job, find job in SDSF, browse job output, navigate through output, and understand output structure. Master job output viewing.

Exercise 3: Search Output

Practice search: use SDSF search to find text in output, understand search options, use RFIND, and learn output searching. Master output searching.

Exercise 4: Browse Dataset Output

Practice dataset: create job that writes to dataset, browse output dataset using ISPF, compare with SDSF viewing, and understand dataset output. Master dataset output browsing.

Exercise 5: Compare SDSF and Spool

Practice comparison: view same output in SDSF and spool (if available), understand differences, compare interfaces, and learn when to use each. Master output viewing methods.

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