z/OS V1R6.0 DFSMS Access Method Services for Catalogs

Common Continuation Errors in Coding Modal CommandsUse continuation rules cautiously when modal commands appear in the inputstream. (See “How to continue commands and parameters” on page xx.) Thefollowing examples show common continuation errors:• IF LASTCC = 0 -THENLISTCATA continuation mark (hyphen) is missing after the THEN keyword. A nullcommand is assumed after the THEN keyword, and the LISTCAT command isunconditionally run.• IF LASTCC = 0 -THEN -REPRO .../*ALTERNATE PATH*/ELSE -PRINT ...Because no continuation mark (hyphen) follows the comment, the programassumes a null command. The ELSE keyword will not match the THENkeyword. Note the correct use of the continuation marks on the other records.• IF LASTCC = 0 -THEN -REPRO ...ELSE -PRINT ...Because a blank line with no continuation mark (hyphen) follows the ELSEkeyword, the ELSE becomes null and the PRINT command is unconditionallyrun.• PARM TEST ( - /*COMMENT*/TRACE)The program does not continue the PARM command onto the second record,because characters other than blanks appear between the continuation mark(hyphen) and the end of the record.• PARM TEST ( TRA+/*FIELD CONTINUATION*/CE)The processor finds the end of the PARM command after the second record,because no continuation was indicated. The processor rejects command.26 z/OS V1R6.0 DFSMS Access Method Services for Catalogs