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[Phantom]

One basic question.

Is there a difference b/w using Single '&' and using Double '&' while creating a Temporary dataset in a JCL ?

Actually I got confused when browing a solution provided in this forum. I don't remember where I saw this while replying for some post, I remember Kolusu saying this "Note the use of single ampersands in the dataset name".

Kolusu, why did you stress this point. Is there a difference b/w & and && in a temp. dataset ?

Thanks,
Phantom

[kolusu]

Phantom,

I completely forgot about this question. In general, the system treats a single ampersand (&) followed by a character string of 1 to 8 characters as a symbolic parameter. However, if you code a data set name as a symbolic parameter (by coding DSNAME=&xxxxxxxx), and do not assign a value to or nullify the symbolic parameter, the system will process it as a temporary data set name. So techincally speaking both of the methods denotes creating temporary data set.

sometime back I had a problem with the referback of a dataset created with a single ampersand, but now it seems to wrok fine.

Kolusu
_________________
Kolusu
www.linkedin.com/in/kolusu

[Phantom]

Thanks for the explanation Kolusu,

Phantom