PRINT
PRINT Command (for Beginners)
Summary
For extensive information, go through the PRINT Command (for Experienced)
The PRINT command is used to print the dataset (VSAM datasets, non-VSAM datasets, and catalogs) contents. The output can be available in various formats like CHAR, HEX, and DUMP.
Detailed syntax -
//JOBNAME JOB job-card-parameters
//STEP1 EXEC PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN DD *
PRINT {INFILE(ddname)|
INDATASET(dataset-name)}
[CHARACTER|DUMP|HEX]
[FROMKEY(key)|FROMADDRESS(address)|
FROMNUMBER(number)|SKIP(number)]
[OUTFILE(ddname)]
[TOKEY(key)|TOADDRESS(address)|
TONUMBER(number)|COUNT(number)]
/*
Parameters
The PRINT command mandatory and optional parameters are specified below -
Mandatory Parameters
Parameters | Description |
---|---|
INFILE (ddname) | Prints the dataset or component identified by ddname. Short Description: IFILE |
INDATASET (dataset-name) | Prints the dataset or component identified by dataset-name. Short Description: IDS |
Optional Parameters
Parameters | Description |
---|---|
CHARACTER | DUMP | HEX | These options specify the output format in which format (CHAR/HEX/DUMP) it prints. Short Description: CHAR (CHARACTER) |
OUTFILE(ddname) | Identifies a target dataset other than SYSPRINT. Short Description: OFILE |
FROMKEY(key) | FROMADDRESS(address) | FROMNUMBER(number) | SKIP(number) | Specifies the starting position where the listing should start. Short Description: FKEY (FROMKEY), FADDR (FROMADDRESS), FNUM (FROMNUMBER) |
TOKEY(key) | TOADDRESS(address) | TONUMBER(number) | COUNT(number) | Specifies the starting position where the listing should end. Short Description: TADDR (TOADDRESS), TNUM (TONUMBER) |
Example1 -
Requirement - Print AIX for the records information.
Input AIX - MATEPK.EMPL.DEPTAIX

Code -
----+----1----+----2----+----3----+----4----+----5----+----6----+----7--
***************************** Top of Data ******************************
//MATEPKP JOB (123),'MTH',CLASS=A,MSGCLASS=A,MSGLEVEL=(1,1),
// NOTIFY=&SYSUID
//************************************************************
//* PRINT/DISPLAY VSAM DATA
//************************************************************
//STEP10 EXEC PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN DD *
PRINT -
INDATASET(MATEPK.EMPL.DEPTAIX) -
CHAR
/*
//*
**************************** Bottom of Data ****************************
In the above JCL, MATEPK is the userid and change it as required.
Output -
Once the above JCL is submitted, check the MAXCC of the job for any errors. If the MAXCC is 00 or 04, then printing is successful..
********************************* TOP OF DATA **********************************
IDCAMS SYSTEM SERVICES TIME: 09:49:29
PRINT -
INDATASET(MATEPK.EMPL.DEPTAIX) -
CHAR
IDCAMS SYSTEM SERVICES TIME: 09:49:29
LISTING OF DATA SET -MATEPK.EMPL.DEPTAIX
KEY OF RECORD -
..... E0001
KEY OF RECORD - DEPT1
.....DEPT1E0002E0004E0005E0006
KEY OF RECORD - DEPT2
.....DEPT2E0003E0007
IDC0005I NUMBER OF RECORDS PROCESSED WAS 3
IDC0001I FUNCTION COMPLETED, HIGHEST CONDITION CODE WAS 0
IDCAMS SYSTEM SERVICES TIME: 09:49:29
IDC0002I IDCAMS PROCESSING COMPLETE. MAXIMUM CONDITION CODE WAS 0
******************************** BOTTOM OF DATA ********************************
Explaining Example -
In the above example,
- INDATASET(MATEPK.EMPL.DEPTAIX) Specifies the ALTERNATE INDEX component name.
- CHAR Prints the data in character format.