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TIP: SPECIAL SITUATIONS FOR REXX PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND STORAGE

REXX Execs, Panels, Tables, etc. can be created that may be used by more than one individual. These REXX modules will be stored in the associated data set that has the high-level qualifier SP.TSOPROD; i.e. Execs would be in SP.TSOPROD.REXX, Panels would be in SP.TSOPROD.PANELS, etc. These data sets may be updated only by one of the following: the HECN Coordinator of the respective institution, or UND Technical Services. Any Exec, Panel, Table and other REXX module needs to be tested prior to being put into these data sets. In order to facilitate the testing (in cases where more than one individual must test) the modules can be put into "TEST" data sets. These data sets have the high-level qualifier of SP.TSOTEST; i.e. Execs would be in SP.TSOTEST.REXX, Panels would be in SP.TSOTEST.PANELS, etc. Every TSO user has access to update the "TEST" data sets. The individual responsible for updating the "PROD" data sets would also be responsible for deleting the modules from the "TEST" data sets. The modules in the "TEST" data sets are subject to deletion as necessary.

Procedures to access REXX programs outside of default REXX data set.

Subject: Accessing user written programs from a command line prompt by entering only the Program exec file name.

(1) If the program files are all under your own Partitioned Data Set Name (i.e. *.payroll.rexx, *.payroll.panels, *.payroll.tables, ect.) the search order for the logon will not find the main program start data set. The logon will first look in the USERID.PRIVATE.REXX Partitioned Data Set for the name (i.e. PAYROLL) of this data set and will not find it in or outside of the default data set.

(2) The easy solution is to put a REXX program called (PAYROLL) in the Partitioned Data Set (i.e. USERID.PRIVATE.REXX(PAYROLL)) and call the main program (i. e. the program that starts the application) in the (*.payroll.rexx (main program))

THE CODE WOULD LOOK LIKE THIS:

/* REXX */

EXEC '''USERID.PAYROLL.REXX(main program)''' EXEC

EXIT 0

In USERID.PAYROLL.REXX (main program) one of the first things that needs to be coded is the set library definition for the payroll application. The process for this can be found in the ISPF Services Guide under LIBDEF - ALLOCATE APPLICATION LIBRARIES.