Output queues and spooled files
Batch and interactive job processing can result in spooled output records that are to be processed on an output device, such as a printer or diskette drive. These output records are stored in spooled files until they can be processed. A single job can have many spooled files.
When a spooled file is created, the file is placed on an output queue. Each output queue contains an ordered list of spooled files. A job can have spooled files on one or more output queues. All spooled files on a particular output queue should have a common set of output attributes, such as device, form type, and lines per inch. Using common attributes on an output queue reduces the amount of intervention required and increases the device throughput.
The following lists some of the parameters on the Create Output Queue (CRTOUTQ)
command and what they specify:
- MAXPAGES: Specifies the maximum spooled file size in pages that is allowed to be printed between a starting and ending time of day.
- AUTOSTRWTR: Specifies the number of writers that are started automatically to this output queue.
- DSPDTA: Whether users without any special authority but who do have *USE authority to the output queue can display, copy, or send the contents of spooled files other than their own. By specifying *OWNER for DSPDTA, only the owner of the file or a user with *SPLCTL special authority can display, copy, or send a file.
- JOBSEP: The number of job separator pages, if any, that are to be printed between the output of each job when the output is printed.
- DTAQ: The data queue associated with this output queue. If specified, an entry is sent to the data queue whenever a spooled file goes to ready status on the queue.
- OPRCTL: Whether a user who has job control authority can control the output queue (for example, if the user can hold the output queue).
- SEQ: Controls the order in which spooled files are sorted on the output queue.
- AUTCHK: Specifies what type of authority to the output queue that enables a user to control the spooled files on the output queue (for example, enables a user to hold the spooled files on the output queue).
- AUT: Public authority. Specifies what control users have over the output queue itself.
- TEXT: Text description. Up to 50 characters of text that describes the output queue.