Why we code SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=* in SORT?

[Technocrat]

Hi,

I've observed at my shop that only while using Sort/ICEMAN/ utility we use SYSOUT DD SYSOUT = * . Is there some reason for that?

[Robert Sample]

From the September 2013 version of the DFSORT Getting Started manual:

The JCL statements you need for most jobs are as follows.
//jobname JOB
Signals the beginning of a job. At your site, you might be required to
specify information such as your name and account number on the JOB
statement.
//stepname EXEC
Signals the beginning of a job step and tells the operating system what
program to run. To run DFSORT, write the EXEC statement like this:
//stepname EXEC PGM=SORT
//STEPLIB DD
The DFSORT program would typically be in a library known to the
system, so the //STEPLIB DD statement would
not
be needed. However, if
DFSORT is not in a library known to the system, the //STEPLIB DD
statement defines the library containing the DFSORT program
//SYSOUT DD
Defines the data set in which DFSORT messages and control statements are
listed.
//SORTIN DD
Defines the input data set or concatenated input data sets.
//SORTWKdd DD
Defines a work data set for a sort. Typically not needed, because DFSORT
can allocate work data sets for a sort dynamically.
//SORTOUT DD
Defines the output data set.
//SYSIN DD
Precedes or contains the DFSORT program control statements.

[Anuj Dhawan]

Robert has given you a very precise explanation, however I believe your question is quite generic. Did you mean why "*" is used in SYSOUT=*?

[Technocrat]

Robert has given you a very precise explanation, however I believe your question is quite generic. Did you mean why "*" is used in SYSOUT=*?

Yes. Somtimes, I've seen SYSOUT=Y. What's the meaning of this?

[Robert Sample]

There can be different SYSOUT classes defined to a system -- for example, one may be used exclusively to generate fiche, one for SMTP emails, and so forth. The specific job classes are set by the site as part of their set up of JES and z/OS. SYSOUT=* means to use the job default SYSOUT class (MSGCLASS on the JOB statement or whatever the site default is); SYSOUT=Y means to use class Y (which, again, will depend upon the site for its meaning).