The Compare Spooled Files command allows the comparison of two
spooled files. An option exists to bypass certain lines such as
heading lines where a date or time may have changed. A spooled file
is output with the differences highlighted.
A typical command would be:
CMPSPLF FROMSPLF(ABC) TOSPLF(DEF) ENDBYPLIN(5)
Spooled file ABC would be compared to spooled file DEF. The defaults
are used for the FROMJOB and TOJOB parameters so both spooled files
must exist in the current job. Any lines between line 1 and 5 of
each page would be bypassed.
A spooled file named CMPSPLF would be output with any differences
highlighted. Each line of print that differs would be printed as 4
lines:
- Information line containing the Page and line numbers
- From record
- To record
- Line of asterisks for the positions that differ.
CPYSPLF is used to convert the spooled file to data base members.
CPYSPLF does not support special graphic characters so only normal DP
output is allowed. No comparison occurs of spooled file attributes
such as the 'number of copies' or 'user data'.
CMPSPLF escape messages you can monitor for
--------------------------------------------
TAA9891 The From spooled file cannot be converted
TAA9892 The To spooled file cannot be converted
TAA9896 Differences exist (based on ESCAPE parameter)
Escape messages from based on functions will be re-sent.
Windowing of print lines
------------------------
The maximum print line supported is 378 positions wide. Only 127
positions of printing can be shown when differences occur. If the
first position that differs is beyond 127, the print line is windowed
so that the first difference can be seen. Each time a difference is
detected, the Information line describes where the 'start position'
of the line is. The last position of difference is also described
for each print line, but the asterisks may not print within the
window.
Differences in pages and line number
------------------------------------
By default, the page number and line number are also compared. If
differences exist, the Information line contains an entry on the far
right. See the CMPPAGLIN parameter to bypass the comparison.
End of file considerations
--------------------------
If the number of records in the files differs, the excess records
will be printed as differences. The Information line will describe
which file is at EOF (End of file). The print data will be blank
when a file is at EOF. The Begin/End Bypass line function is ignored
when one of the files reaches EOF.
Command parameters *CMD
------------------
FROMSPLF The name of the 'From' spooled file.
FROMJOB The qualified name of the job that created the
'From' spooled file. The default is * meaning the
current job.
FROMSPLNBR The number of the spooled file within the 'From'
job. The default is *ONLY. *LAST may be specified
for the last spooled file of the specified name
within the job. A specific spooled file number may
also be specified.
TOSPLF The name of the 'To' spooled file.
TOJOB The qualified name of the job that created the 'To'
spooled file. The default is * meaning the current
job.
TOSPLNBR The number of the spooled file within the 'To' job.
The default is *ONLY. *LAST may be specified for
the last spooled file of the specified name within
the job. A specific spooled file number may also be
specified.
STRBYPLIN The first line on each page to be bypassed. The
default is *NONE. If a number is entered, a number
must also be entered in ENDBYPLIN. The number must
be between 1 and 255.
ENDBYPLIN The last line on each page to be bypassed. The
default is *NONE meaning there are no lines to be
bypassed. The number must be equal or greater than
the STRBYPLIN value and must be between 1 and 255.
If a number is entered, any lines on each page
between the STRBYPLIN and ENDBYPLIN values will be
bypassed (not considered for differences). This
allows heading lines which may contain dates and/or
times to be bypassed.
CMPPAGLIN Whether to compare the page and line number values.
*YES is the default to cause a comparison. Each
print line in each file has an associated page and
line number. If *YES is specified, the page and
line numbers from the corresponding records are
compared and the records are printed if differences
exist regardless of whether the print line data
between the two records differs. If the page/line
values differ, the Information line has an
indication on the far right that differences exist.
If *NO is specified, the page and line numbers are
not compared.
MAXDIF The maximum number of differences allowed. The
default is 200. Once the maximum is reached, the
command ends and the output spooled file contains a
description stating the condition. The number must
be between 0 and 99999.
The intent of the maximum is to prevent excessive
output when two unrelated spooled files are
compared.
ESCAPE Whether to send escape message TAA9896 if
differences exist. *NO is the default which means a
completion message is sent describing the
differences.
If *YES is specified, any differences cause the
TAA9896 escape message to be sent. Differences are
not considered in any lines being bypassed.
Restrictions
------------
See previous comments.
Prerequisites
-------------
The following TAA Tools must be on your system:
CVTSPLNBR Convert spooled file number
EDTVAR Edit variable
HLRMVMSG HLL Remove message
RSNLSTMSG Resend last message
RTVSYSVAL3 Retrieve system value 3
SNDCOMPMSG Send completion message
SNDESCMSG Send escape message
SNDSTSMSG Send status message
Implementation
--------------
None, the tool is ready to use.
Objects used by the tool
------------------------
Object Type Attribute Src member Src file
------ ---- --------- ---------- ----------
CMPSPLF *CMD TAASPML QATTCMD
TAASPMLC *PGM CLP TAASPMLC QATTCL
TAASPMLR *PGM RPG TAASPMLR QATTRPG
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