Status of SPOOL volumes

A spool volume is classified as having one of six status types, dependent upon whether it can be used to perform work and its ability to allocate or deallocate spool space. These status types and their definitions are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Spool volume status types and definitions
Status	Explanation
ACTIVE	The spool volume is in use. Allocation and deallocation of spool space is permitted. The volume is allocated to all systems in the multi-access spool complex.
STARTING	The spool volume is not yet ACTIVE. It is in the process of dynamic allocation or formatting. During this time, the volume is being dynamically allocated to each system in the multi-access spool complex. Allocation or deallocation of spool space is not permitted.
DRAINING	Jobs already residing on the volume are selectable for processing; also deallocation of spool space is permitted. Allocation of new spool space is not permitted. The volume must be completely empty before the drain process can complete. When the volume is completely empty, the volume will be dynamically unallocated to all systems in the multi-access spool complex. The spool volume then becomes DRAINED.
DRAINED	The spool volume is completely empty and unallocated, that is, no allocated spool space remains on the volume, and the volume is unallocated to all systems in the multi-access spool complex. The volume is no longer known to JES2.
HALTING	The spool volume stops allocation of space and does not select new work. Currently active work (that is, executing, printing, punching, and so on.) is allowed to complete that phase. When all currently active work on the volume completes, the volume will be dynamically unallocated to all systems in the multi-access spool complex. The spool volume then becomes INACTIVE.
INACTIVE	The spool volume can contain allocated tracks, but does not permit further allocation or the processing of currently allocated tracks. The volume has been unallocated on all systems in the multi-access spool complex and can be removed by the operator.

Table 2 summarizes the characteristics of the six status classifications of spool volumes:

Table 2. Summary of spool volume status characteristics
STATUS*	IN USE*	ALLOCATABLE*	SELECTABLE*
STARTING	No	No	No
ACTIVE	Yes	Yes	Yes
DRAINING	Yes	No	Yes
DRAINED	No	No	No
HALTING	Yes	No	No
INACTIVE	No	No	No
* STATUS The spool volume status IN USE Active jobs are using space on the volume ALLOCATABLE New spool space can be allocated on a spool volume SELECTABLE Jobs that have space on a spool volume can be selected for JES2 processing