Top jcl interview questions and answers job interview tips

Top 20 jcl interview questions and
answers
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• Free ebook: 75 interview questions and answers
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• Top 7 cover letter samples
• Top 8 resume samples
• Top 15 ways to search new jobs
Interview questions and answers – free pdf download Page 1 of 30

Tell me about yourself?
This is probably the most asked
question in jcl interview. It breaks the
ice and gets you to talk about
something you should be fairly
comfortable with. Have something
prepared that doesn't sound rehearsed.
It's not about you telling your life story
and quite frankly, the interviewer just
isn't interested. Unless asked to do so,
stick to your education, career and
current situation. Work through it
chronologically from the furthest back
to the present.

What is JCL?
JCL (Job Control Language).
JCL provides the resources that are
required by program.
It acts as a communicator between
operating system and program.
It is used to utilize the CPU idle time
that is reflected in the cost of
utilization.
It makes jobs of work that are run
without manual interaction.
Works according to priority level for
jobs as batch.
JCL is not procedural language.
Without jcl your program will not run
on mainframe.

What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates
Can't?
What makes you unique? This
will take an assessment of
your experiences, skills and
traits. Summarize concisely:
"I have a unique combination
of strong technical skills, and
the ability to build strong
customer relationships. This
allows me to use my
knowledge and break down
information to be more user-friendly."

How does JCL act on code(if you take a COBOL
program) ?
There are certain set of divisions that
interact with JCL.
Identification Division- act as
introductory part to JCL(program name,
author,date etc no interacting code).
Environment Division- now the story
begins - JCL interacts with OS acc to
need as it send request for Files under
file operation.
Data Division- after files are accessed,
it works with them according to
operations to READ or to PRINT files
(with the help of OS).
Procedure Division- it contains various
actions taken on files
eg to close files that are being used.

What does a disposition of (NEW,CATLG,KEEP)
for a DSN mean?
• DISP NEW will allocate new
memory space for disposition.
• DISP CATLG will catalog the
available data set once the step is
successful.
• DISP KEEP will retain the dataset.
Catalog will not be kept when the
step abends.
• The above 3 operations always
ensures that the data set is properly
handled.
• The operations are reliable to
handle the data sets.

What is the difference between the Positional and
Keyword parameters? Give examples.
• Positional Parameters are placed in a
specific position.
• It needs to be positioned within the
operand field.
• Example:
Employee name in the Job card is a
positional parameter at the Job level.
• Keyword Parameters are not placed
in a specific position or order.
• Example: MSGLEVEL=(X,Y)

How to pass data to a program that is coded in
an EXEC statement?
Following are the methods to pass
data to the program.
• Using PARAM in Job Control
Language. Linkage Section should
contain the code of the receiving
variable in COBOL.
• The PROCEDURE DIVISION
USING statement is used by using
PARAM.
• By passing as instream in Job
Control Language.
• ACCEPT statement in COBOL is
used.
• By passing in a flat file.
• File descriptor need to be coded in
COBOL.

What is the significance of ADDRSPC parameter
in EXEC statement?
• Storage for individual step is requested
by the REGION parameter.
• Being paged step is prevented by the
ADDRSPC.
• For being paged, the default option is
ADDRSPC=VIRT is used.
• Once ADDRSPC is set to
REAL(ADDRSPC=REAL), the step
would be locked into real storage, when
executed.
• REAL is a good option when time
dependent programs are used.
• REAL option allows modification of
channel programs dynamically during
the I/O operations.
• Its effect is adverse on the
performance of the system.

What are S0C1, S0C4, S0C5, S0C7 and SOCB?
• SOC1- An operation Exception Error
that may occur because of missing DD
name.
• SOC4- An Exception Error that may
occur because of missing Select
statement, missing parameters on
called sub program.
• SOC5- This exception may occur
when an unopened dataset is closed,
bad subscript.
• SOC7 – This exception may occur
when a numeric operation is
performed on non-numeric data,
working storage is not initialized.
• SOCB – This operation error may
occur when a ‘division by zero’
occurs.

What are the difference between JCL and JES?
JCL:JCL is a language.
• JOBs written in JCL for Mainframe.
• JOB is executed, space and other
desired resource is allocated by the
keywords of JCL.
JES:
• JES is a subsystem of MVS.
• JES handle the JOBs submitted by
the users.
• JES takes the control of JCL and
generates JOB id.
• JES validates JCL for errors.

How JCL work to handle various input output file
operations?
JCL defined two set of parameters to
handle various i/o operations.
Due to demand of different type of
work done by JCL statements.
POSITIONAL parameter
It is related directly to the position.
It gives the file positions in the
operations.
It should precede the keyword
parameter.
KEYWORD parameter
It is used to assign to variable
information.
It should followed the (=)sign then
variable info.

HOW does JCL specify the job to the operating
system?
JCL defines the job to
OperatingSystem by so called
JCL groups.
Groups are defined acc to the
work they produce.
Most work is to only identify
the job.
Divides according to JCL
statement that brings to OS.
1—identify the job.
2—execute the program
named by user.
3—various DD’s that define
the files being utilized.
4—previous work should be
closed opration, exit
operation

Suppose I have five jobs to do. But I want to hold
one?
Its simple to do so there is predefined set
of rules for that.
According to JCL’s predefined set for
jobs there is a keyword.
You can hold a job for later execution.
Specify TYPRUN on the job statement .
TYPRUN is used to hold job with its
variable name to HOLD.
SYNTAX:
TYPRUN=HOLD
Eg. For the job you want to hold
//CAREERIDE JOB
(P007),’PRASHANT RAJORIA’
TYPRUN=HOLD,

Can I share my data with other jobs? How?
Yes, data can be shared with other jobs.
When the data is defined for a job then
define a predefined keyword
Keyword called DISP means disposition of
data. as shareable.
It has values that assign it as shareable.
SHR is used as value to data as shareable.
SYNTAX: DISP=SHR
DISP=SHR should Insert after the data field
of a job.

Is ACCT parameter mandatory?
No,ACCT parameter is not mandatory it is
optional depending upon requirement for the
following purposes…
ACCT is used to provide accounting information
for the jobs steps used in the program.
ACCT keyword is used in the EXEC statement or
job steps statement for a particular job. If it is
used then the accounting information is given by
the installer to the ACCT.
Accounting information means the billing
information for the job for which the ACCT is
being used.
Syntax:
ACCT=accont-information
Or
ACCT=(account-information,account-information………)
The account-information is provided by the
installer eg. The name provided by the installer in
the installing steps.

Is their any set of rules for DD? Explain.
Yes, DD should follow predefined rules
otherwise it will not be executed or will
show error message.
DD is called the data defining sets and it is
most sensitive part of JCL statements.
It should follow the EXEC statement for
that job for which DD is needed.
Always assign a valid name to DD,
otherwise it will terminate abnormally.
For each data set you should define a data
defining statement.
Positional parameters are used by DD and
should use the operand field otherwise error.
Keyword parameters are used by DD and
shoud use the operand field otherwise error.
If both are coded keyword parameter must
follow positional parameters.

Is it possible to left uncode DISP? If yes, how?
Yes, it is possible but it needs certain changes
made as it sets to default automatically.
DISP is the disposition property set on data
sets. It is a keyword parameter used in DD
statements.
If you left uncode DISP the following changes
happen-
It consist of mainly two fields (status, type of
disposition). If left uncoded the status field
sets to NEW(default) automatically.
Normal disposition sets to DELETE if status
sets to new.
Abnormal disposition sets to same value as
the normal disposition sets.
Normal disposition sets to KEEP if status field
is set to old.
SYNTAX:
DISP=(status,type of disposition)
If sets to default then
DISP=(NEW,DELETE,DELETE)

Suppose I have a program in cobol
Name”CAREERRIDE” and want to execute the
program by JCL. specify the process ?
The program to be executed by JCL
should have a job name.
And used the command EXEC to
execute the program in JCL.
Program name is specified after the
step name.
Specify program name in the PGM to
be executed by JCL.
PGM is the reserved keyword for
values program name.
SYNTAX:
//Step name command to execute
PGM=program name,
Eg.
//STEP01 EXEC
PGM=CAREERRIDE,

What is DISP=(NEW,PASS,DELETE)?
• DISP NEW indicates a new data set is
defined.
• DSIP NEW will allocate new memory
space.
• DISP PASS – the data set need to be
passed to the next step, once the current
step is successful.
• DISP DELETE is to remove the
available data set once the step abends.
• So that only non-abended data sets are
available.

How to alter the parameters for the existing
GDG?
• ALTER command is used to alter the parameters of
existing GDG.
• New value can be provided for parameters using
ALTER command.
• Values can be given in one shot or individually.
• ALTER gdgname LIMIT(05) alters the limit to 5.
• ALTER gdgname LIMIT(05) SCRATCH
NOEMPTY - This option alters the scratch and no
empty options.
Brief description of inline procedure of JCL.
• In-stream PROC is defined in JCL stream itself.
• It does not reside in PROCLIB.
• For inline perform the code would be
PERFORM UNTIL SWITCH=’Y’
……….. BODY OF THE CODE…….
END-PERFORM.
• The body of the code from is appeared in-line.
• The code does not appear in a separate paragraph.

Useful job interview materials:
If you need top free ebooks below for your job interview, please visit:
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• Free ebook: 75 interview questions and answers
• Top 12 secrets to win every job interviews
• Top 36 situational interview questions
• 440 behavioral interview questions
• 95 management interview questions and answers
• 30 phone interview questions
• Top 8 interview thank you letter samples
• 290 competency based interview questions
• 45 internship interview questions
• Top 7 cover letter samples
• Top 8 resume samples
• Top 15 ways to search new jobs

Top 6 tips for job interview

Tip 1: Do your homework
You'll likely be asked difficult questions
during the interview. Preparing the list of
likely questions in advance will help you
easily transition from question to question.
Spend time researching the company. Look
at its site to understand its mission statement,
product offerings, and management team. A
few hours spent researching before your
interview can impress the hiring manager
greatly. Read the company's annual report
(often posted on the site), review the
employee's LinkedIn profiles, and search the
company on Google News, to see if they've
been mentioned in the media lately. The
more you know about a company, the more
you'll know how you'll fit in to it.
Ref material: 4career.net/job-interview-checklist-
40-points

Tip 2: First impressions
When meeting someone for the first time, we
instantaneously make our minds about various aspects of
their personality.
Prepare and plan that first impression long before you
walk in the door. Continue that excellent impression in
the days following, and that job could be yours.
Therefore:
· Never arrive late.
· Use positive body language and turn on your
charm right from the start.
· Switch off your mobile before you step into the
room.
· Look fabulous; dress sharp and make sure you look
your best.
· Start the interview with a handshake; give a nice
firm press and then some up and down movement.
· Determine to establish a rapport with the
interviewer right from the start.
· Always let the interviewer finish speaking before
giving your response.
· Express yourself fluently with clarity and
precision.

Useful material: 4career.net/top-10-elements-to-make-a-good-
first-impression-at-a-job-interview
Tip 3: The “Hidden” Job Market
Many of us don’t recognize that hidden job
market is a huge one and accounts for 2/3
of total job demand from enterprises. This
means that if you know how to exploit a
hidden job market, you can increase your
chance of getting the job up to 300%.
In this section, the author shares his
experience and useful tips to exploit hidden
job market.
Here are some sources to get penetrating
into a hidden job market: Friends; Family;
Ex-coworkers; Referral; HR communities;
Field communities; Social networks such
as Facebook, Twitter…; Last recruitment
ads from recruiters; HR emails of potential
recruiters…

Tip 4: Do-It-Yourself Interviewing Practice
There are a number of ways to prepare
for an interview at home without the
help of a professional career counselor
or coach or a fee-based service.
You can practice interviews all by
yourself or recruit friends and family to
assist you.
Useful material: 4career.net/free-ebook-
75-interview-questions-and-answers

Tip 5: Ask questions
Do not leave the interview without
ensuring that you know all that you
want to know about the position. Once
the interview is over, your chance to
have important questions answered has
ended. Asking questions also can show
that you are interested in the job. Be
specific with your questions. Ask about
the company and the industry. Avoid
asking personal questions of the
interviewer and avoid asking questions
pertaining to politics, religion and the
like.
Ref material: 4career.net/25-questions-to-
ask-employers-during-your-job-interview

Tip 6: Follow up and send a thank-you note
Following up after an interview can
help you make a lasting impression and
set you apart from the crowd.
Philip Farina, CPP, a security career
expert at Manta Security Management
Recruiters, says: "Send both an email as
well as a hard-copy thank-you note,
expressing excitement, qualifications
and further interest in the position.
Invite the hiring manager to contact you
for additional information. This is also
an excellent time to send a strategic
follow-up letter of interest."
Ref material: 4career.net/top-8-
interview-thank-you-letter-samples

Top jcl interview questions and answers job interview tips

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