* Parameter
Parameter Type
Positional, optional
Purpose
Use the * (asterisk) parameter to begin an in-stream data set.
The data records immediately follow the DD * statement; the records
may be in any code such as EBCDIC. The data records end when one of
the following is found:
- /* in the input stream
- // to indicate another JCL statement
- The two-character delimiter specified by a DLM parameter on this DD statement
- The input stream runs out of records
Use a DATA parameter instead of the * parameter if any of the data records start with //.
Considerations for an APPC Scheduling Environment
The * parameter has no function in an APPC scheduling environment. If you code *, the system will check it for syntax and otherwise ignore it.