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JCL allows you to identify one empty file, but you need to make sure that it is an input for IDCAMS. IDCAMS (Integrated Data Cluster ACCESS Method Services) is a utility used for creating, MODIFYING and deleting VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) datasets. When the file is input into IDCAMS, an error is thrown (return code 4 i.e., RC=4) if it's empty. 

Getting your feet wet with the JCL Interview Questions is necessary if you are looking for a job related to JCL. In preparation for your interview, our team has compiled a list of relevant JCL interview questions and answers. These JCL Interview Questions are intended to help you become acquainted with the type of questions that might be asked during an interview. This will COME in handy for FUTURE projects and INTERVIEWS. 

As an additional piece of advice, review past assignments you have done on the topic so that you are confident in your ability to speak about them. The interviewer expects you to answer basic questions if you are fresher, so you'll need to strengthen your basic concepts. Try to stay confident throughout the interview. 

Holding a job among the available ones is just a MATTER of following a set of PREDEFINED rules. As per JCL's predefined job rules, each job has a keyword. If TYPRUN is specified on the job statement, a job can be held for later EXECUTION. The TYPRUN holds a job with its variable name set to HOLD.   

Syntax:  

EXAMPLE: If you WANT to hold the job you want  

DISP NEW creates a new DATASET and allocates new memory. DISP CATLG is CAPABLE of cataloging the data set when the step is COMPLETE. A cataloged dataset can be referenced by name without the USER having to specify where it is located. DISP KEEP retains the dataset. If the step abends, the catalog is not retained. The three operations are reliable and ensure the data set is HANDLED correctly every time. 

DISP NEW CREATES a new dataset and allocates new memory. DISP CATLG is CAPABLE of cataloging the DATA set when the step is COMPLETE. DISP DELETE DELETES the dataset if the step abends/fails.

When a PROGRAM takes longer than the specified time limit for the particular selected class, a job TIMEOUT occurs. It is usually referred to as an "S322 abend." In this situation, the program does not complete due to circling errors.  

The TIME parameter can be coded as TIME = 1440 if the information being HANDLED in the program is really HUGE and NEEDS more time to complete the job. 

It is possible to restart JCL automatically through a predefined keyword parameter, such as RD (Restart definition) keyword. HOWEVER, this usually results in irregular program termination. RD ("restart definition") triggers the start of the job at the CHECKPOINT automatically. At various points of the job, CHECKPOINTS act as markers for the execution of the job. RD BEGINS by looking for the last successful checkpoint and STARTS from there. 

JCL SYNTAX can be checked without running it by putting TYPERUN=SCAN on a job card or using JSCAN. The TYPRUN command is used to request special job PROCESSING, such as checking or scanning a job for syntax ERRORS. SCAN checks the syntax errors without actually executing the job. Otherwise, JSCAN can also check a JCL's syntax without running it.