DEFINEs, ASSIGNs, PARAMs
Some of the methods of communicating information between processes, applications, within subsystems, etc. are:
DEFINEs
ASSIGNs
PARAMs
DEFINEs
DEFINEs are file-system elements that provide a means for passing information to a process as a logical name instead of a physical name . For example, DEFINEs can be used to pass attributes to a process to provide:
An alternate name for accessing a file
To organize the standard working set of 'pointers' to system resources
A list of subvolumes to search for a file name
A way to set up attributes for processing
A means of passing attributes to the utility subsystem
The operating system (file system or I/O process) usually processes DEFINEs, while application programs or run-time libraries process ASSIGNs.
DEFINEs are added, deleted and altered via:
TACL interactively
TACL MACRO files or OBEY files
Pathway server Configurations
An ATTACHMENT-SET within NETBATCH
The TACLLOCL and TACLCSTM files
A process 'inherits' the working set of DEFINEs upon startup.
RISK DEFINEs can be 'disabled' by issuing the SET DEFMODE OFF command within TACL or programmatically.
DEFINE Format
DEFINEs are named sets of attributes and associated values. They specify information that is meant to be communicated to a new process in a DEFINE.
A DEFINE has the following components :
NAME A unique descriptive name starting with '=' and up to 23 characters .
CLASS A designation of usage class
ATTRIBUTE A defined attribute of the class
VALUE The value associated with the attribute; filename, tape name, etc.
There are eight classes (types) of DEFINEs.
| DEFINE TYPE | Description |
|---|---|
| CLASS CATALOG | Used to specify the name of an SQL Catalog |
| CLASS DEFAULTS | Used to designate a system default DEFINE |
| CLASS MAP | Used to specify a substitute file name |
| CLASS SEARCH | Used to specify a list of subvolumes for resolving file names CLASS SORT and SUBSORT Used to specify defaults for the FASTSORT utility |
| CLASS SPOOL | Used to specify the attributes of a spooler job |
| CLASS TAPE | Used to specify the attributes of a file on a labeled tape |
| CLASS TAPECATALOG | Used with the tape cataloging facilities of the DSM/TC product |
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Define Name =MY_CATALOG CLASS CATALOG SUBVOL \SYSA.$DISK11.MYCATS
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Define Name =MY_CODE_FILE CLASS MAP FILE \SYSA.$TEST21.TESTAPP.CODES
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Define Name =_DEFAULTS CLASS DEFAULTS VOLUME $DISK21.MYHOMEV
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RISK Using DEFINEs can cause erroneous results if the logical DEFINE is changed then referenced. For instance, assume that the DEFINE =MY_CODE_FILE is pointing to a test file. If a TACL command such as FUP PURGEDATA =MY_CODE_FILE is performed, it will purgedata the file \SYSA.$DISK21.MASTER.CODES. If the DEFINE is changed to point to a different file, such as \SYSA.$PROD.PRODAPP.CODES the same command could erroneously purge the data from the production application file ( assuming allowable security).
RISK Using DEFINEs can mask the ultimate file, process, device, etc. that will be affected from the user , which can be desirable and undesirable at the same time.
RISK Ending a TACL session or logging off of TACL deletes any existing DEFINEs. They must be re-added for each new TACL in order to be in effect for new processes.
_DEFAULTS DEFINE
This is a system DEFINE that specifies the current default node, volume, subvolume and catalog for expanding partially qualified Guardian names throughout the system and subsystems. The _DEFAULTS DEFINE is set with the DEFAULT program.
ASSIGNs
The ASSIGN command within TACL is used to associate the names of a physical file to a logical file name used in a program, and optionally , to specify the attributes of such files. The file attributes are used to describe creation or open mode specifications.
While the operating system (file system or I/O process) usually processes DEFINEs, application programs or run-time libraries process ASSIGNs. The process or run-time library processes the incoming ASSIGNs and uses the information within the code.
Example 1 shows an ASSIGN for an existing file.
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ASSIGN MASTERFILE, $DATA1.CUSTMR.MSTFILE
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Example 2 shows an ASSIGN with Create File Characteristics
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ASSIGN OUTFILE, $DATA2.CUSTMR.NEWMST, EXT 32, CODE 123
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ASSIGNs are added using TACL or a TACL Macro. TACL stores the assigned values and sends those values to requesting processes in the form of ASSIGN messages. TACL does not interpret the assigned values ”that task must be performed by the application program.
RISK ASSIGNs have similar risks to DEFINEs, in that changing the ASSIGN attribute can change the filename or specification that the program using the ASSIGN acts upon.
RISK Ending a TACL session or logging off of TACL deletes any existing assignments. They must be re-added upon logging on again in order to be in effect when starting new processes.
PARAMs
A PARAM is used to pass any information that the receiving process is expecting. PARAM allows passing parameter names and values to a process.
Example 1 shows a PARAM DEVICE_TYPE.
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SET PARAM DEVICE_TYPE 2
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The receiving process would be expected to use the PARAM to perform an action based upon the DEVICE_TYPE entered.
PARAMs are added from TACL or a TACL Macro. TACL stores the values of parameters assigned by the PARAM command and sends these values to processes that request parameter values in the form of a PARAM message. TACL does not interpret the assigned values ”that task must be performed by the receiving program.
RISK PARAMs can be any type of information including filenames, process names, user names and passwords.
RISK PARAMs have similar risks to DEFINEs, in that changing the PARAM can change the task the receiving program performs .
RISK Ending a TACL session or logging off of TACL, or executing the CLEAR PARAM command deletes or clears PARAMs. They must be re-added upon logging on again in order to be in effect when starting new processes.
