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Q: What is the difference between COND and IF/THEN/ELSE in JCL?

Answer:

COND Parameter:

  • Tests return codes from previous steps
  • Bypasses step if condition is TRUE
  • Works opposite to programming logic!
  • COND=(4,LT) means: Skip if 4 < any previous RC

IF/THEN/ELSE:

  • More intuitive programming-like syntax
  • Executes steps when condition is TRUE
  • Supports AND, OR operators
  • Can check ABEND conditions

Example:

// Using COND (skip if RC < 4)
//STEP2 EXEC PGM=PROG2,COND=(4,LT)

// Using IF/THEN/ELSE
//    IF STEP1.RC = 0 THEN
//STEP2 EXEC PGM=PROG2
//    ELSE
//ERROR EXEC PGM=ERRPROC
//    ENDIF
COND IF THEN ELSE return code conditional