&SYSSYMDEF

&SYSSYMDEF(symbol_name) returns the value represented by the variable "symbol_name" as specified in SYS1.PARMLIB member IEASYMxx on the SYSDEF … SYMDEF statement. Or, the 'string' can also be one of the system static or dynamic symbols as defined in z/OS MVS Initialization and Tuning Reference.

For example, if SYMDEF(&SYSTEMA = 'SA') is specified in IEASYMxx, then

PROC 0
WRITE &SYSSYMDEF(SYSTEMA)
EXIT

returns a value of SA. A null string is returned if the symbolic name is not specified in IEASYMxx, and it is not one of the MVS™ defined static or dynamic symbols.

Here, the symbol name SYSTEMA is assigned a name of SA on the SYMDEF statement in IEASYMxx. The &SYSSYMDEF(symbol_name) control variable resolves to a string of SA.

You can also retrieve the value for one of the MVS defined static or dynamic system symbols. For example:

WRITE &SYSSYMDEF(JOBNAME)   /*Returns JOBNAME
                                  BOB perhaps       */

Refer to z/OS MVS Initialization and Tuning Reference for a discussion and a list of the currently defined MVS static and dynamic system symbols.

For example, you can retrieve the IPL Volume Serial Name of your system using

WRITE &SYSSYMDEF(SYSR1)   /* may return 640S06
                             as IPL Vol. Ser. Name */

The SYSSYMDEF function goes through CLIST substitution first, the result of which must be a 1-8 character name specifying the symbol that has been defined in the SYMDEF statement. Any other values including CLIST delimiters may cause unpredictable results.