How the IBM-Supplied Output Separator Routine Works

The second major part of the IBM-supplied external writer routine is the output separator routine. Any output processing to a punch or printer must include a means of separating one job from another within the continuous deck or listing. When you specify IEFSD094 on the PARM= parameter on the EXEC card of the external writer, the IBM-supplied output separator routine writes separation records to the output data set prior to the writing of each job's output.

You can modify this separator routine to suit your installation's needs, or you can create your own routine. IBM's version does the following:

For Punch-Destined Output: The separator routine provides three specially-punched cards (deposited in stacker 1) prior to the punch card output of each job. Each of these cards is punched in the following format:
Columns 1 to 35

blanks

Columns 36 to 43

job name

Columns 44 to 45

blanks

Column 46

output classname

Columns 47 to 80

blanks
For Printer-Destined Output: The IBM-supplied separator routine provides three specially-printed pages prior to printing the output of each job. Each of these separator pages is printed in the following format:
- Beginning at the channel 1 location (normally near the top of the page), the job name is printed in block characters over 12 consecutive lines. The first block character of the 8-character job name begins in column 11. Each block character is separated by 2 blank columns.
- The next two lines are blank.
- The output classname is printed in block characters covering the next 12 lines. This is a 1-character name, and the block character begins in column 35.
- The remaining lines, to the bottom of the page, are blank.
- In addition to the block characters, a full line of asterisks (*) is printed twice (that is, overprinted) across the folds of the paper. These lines are printed on the fold preceding each of the three separator pages, and on the fold following the third page. This is to make it easy for the operator to separate the job output in a stack of printed pages.
To control the location of the lines of asterisks on the page, the IBM-supplied separator routine requires that a channel 9 punch be included (along with the channel 1 punch) on the carriage control tape or in the forms control buffer (FCB). The channel 9 punch should correspond to the bottom of the page. The printer registration should be offset to print the line of asterisks on the fold of the page.

The IBM-supplied separator routine makes no provision for the 3800 printing subsystem; if you use it on a 3800, the FCB must locate a channel 9 punch at least one-half inch from the paper perforation.