The format of the execute form of SHOWCAT is:

MF=({E|B},address)

specifies this is the execute form of SHOWCAT.

E

specifies the parameter list, whose address is given in address, is passed to VSAM for processing.

B

specifies the parameter list is to be built or modified, but is not passed to VSAM. This form of the macro is similar to the list form, except that it works at execution time and can modify a parameter list, as well as build it.

To build a parameter list, first issue SHOWCAT with only MF=(B, address) specified, to zero out the area in which it will be built.

address

specifies the address of the parameter list. If you use register notation, you may use register 1, and a register from 2 through 12. Register 1 is used to pass the parameter list to VSAM (MF=E).

For a detailed description of ACB, AREA, FWLEN, CI|NAME, and RETURN parameters, refer to the information contained in SHOWCAT—Standard form.