PL/I Compile and Bind Considerations for PL/I Main Routines

The z/OS® Batch Runtime launches an application by fetching and calling it. As a result, the PL/I external procedure being launched must specify the “fetchable” and “assembler” options. The “main” option cannot be used. So at a minimum, and launched PL/I “Main” routine must be at least slightly modified as shown below. Additionally, the assembler option is also needed so that any launched PL/I “Main” application can set a return code using the PLIRETC function upon return to the z/OS Batch Runtime.

For example, the external procedure could be written as follows:

PLITEST: Procedure Options( Fetchable
                            Assembler );

When binding the PL/I application, the ENTRY CEESTART must not be used. Instead, the entry point should specify the name of the external procedure. For example, the procedure shown above would be bound as:

//BIND.SYSIN DD *
ENTRY PLITEST
NAME PLITEST(R)

Complete JCL examples will be shown in the sections that follow.