How to handle VSAM status code in JCL itself?

[Ramesh_Mainframe]

Hi,

In one of the COBOL programs, it reads a VSAM dataset. When the file is empty program ends with a VSAM status code. The file is opened in INPUT or I-O mode. I see STAYS code handling in COBOL program but I do not want to handle it in program rather in a JCL. Can I do that? Can you please suggest any way using that VSAM file can be checked if it is empty or not?

[Robert Sample]

The easiest and simplest way is to change the IDCAMS that deletes / defines the VSAM data set to include a REPRO of a dummy record.  Then the COBOL program won't have to deal with an empty VSAM data set and the first thing the program can do is delete the dummy record.

[Ramesh_Mainframe]

That is a good idea. But apart from that can JCL never know about such a case?

[Robert Sample]

JCL doesn't "know" anything.  It is written to allocate resources and run programs, period.
And the issue arises due to the way VSAM works.  Short of redesigning VSAM (which is not likely), the problem of opening an empty VSAM data set for input does NOT depend upon the tool used; it is ALWAYS an issue.