Subparameter definition

code
Specifies a number that the system compares to the return codes from all previous steps in the job or from specific steps. code is a decimal number from 0 through 4095.
Note: Specifying a decimal number greater than 4095 could result in invalid return code testing or invalid return codes in messages.
operator
Specifies the type of comparison to be made to the return code. If the specified test is true, the step is bypassed. Use Table 1 to select the correct operator. Operators and their meanings are:
Operator Meaning
GT Greater than
GE Greater than or equal to
EQ Equal to
LT Less than
LE Less than or equal to
NE Not equal to
stepname
Identifies the EXEC statement of a previous job step that issues the return code to be used in the test. If the specified step is in a procedure, this step must be in the same procedure. Otherwise, the specified step must not be in a procedure; the specified step must contain a PGM keyword, rather than invoke a procedure. Note that if stepnames are not unique within the job, such as when the same procedure is executed multiple times, results might be unpredictable; but in most cases, references to non-unique stepnames will resolve to the first occurrence of that stepname.

If you omit stepname, the code you specify is compared to the return codes from all previous steps. If the return code issued by any of those previous steps causes the test condition to be satisfied, the system evaluates the COND parameter as true and bypasses the job step.

If this step is invoked in JCL that runs as a started task, see Stepnames for started tasks for information about the stepname the system assigns.

stepname.procstepname
Identifies a step in a cataloged or in-stream procedure called by an earlier job step. Stepname identifies the EXEC statement of the calling job step; procstepname identifies the EXEC statement of the procedure step that issues the return code to be used in the test. The step identified by procstepname must contain the PGM keyword, rather than invoke a procedure. Note that if stepnames are not unique within the job, such as when the same procedure is executed multiple times, results might be unpredictable; but in most cases, references to non-unique stepnames will resolve to the first occurrence of that stepname.
EVEN
Specifies that this job step is to be executed even if a preceding job step abnormally terminated. When EVEN is coded, the system:
  • Does not test the return code of any steps that terminated abnormally.
  • Does test the return code of any steps that terminated normally. If none of the return code tests for these steps is satisfied, this job step is executed.

See Considerations when using the COND parameter for cautions related to the use of EVEN.

ONLY
Specifies that this job step is to be executed only if a preceding step abnormally terminated. When ONLY is coded, the system:
  • Does not test the return code of any steps that terminated abnormally.
  • Does test the return code of any steps that terminated normally. If none of the return code tests for these steps is satisfied, this job step is executed.

See Considerations when using the COND parameter for cautions related to the use of ONLY.