Co:Z Batch is an IBM z/OS batch utility program that allows a Unix command or shell to be
executed in a batch job step.
As an alternative to confusing IBM utilities such as BPXBATCH,
Co:Z Batch is designed to simplify the integration of z/OS Unix with batch jobs.
Executes the Unix program or shell in the same address space, which simplifies job accounting and allows for the use of resources such as DD statements by the Unix program.
STDIN, STDOUT, and STDERR files from the Unix program are redirected to DD statements, which may refer to MVS datasets or spool files.
If not specified, the default Unix program to run is the user's default login shell.
Environment variables may be set using a STDENV DD, or passed in via JCL PARM=. Multiple COZBATCH steps may be used together to pass JCL variables into Unix environment variables, so as to avoid the limits imposed by 100-character PARM= fields.
If a program is run directly, its name and arguments are given in JCL PARM= and program arguments support quoting.
The Unix program or shell exit code is used as the step return code, but this may be overridden by a PARM setting.
JES Symbols are automatically exported as environment variables to the target shell or program with
JES_prefixes on the symbol names. Requires z/OS 2.1 or later.
Table 1.1. Features Comparison
| Feature | BPXBATCH | BPXBATSL | AOPBATCH | COZBATCH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Same address space | no | yes | yes | yes |
| STDOUT/STD to dataset/sysout | yes (1.7+) | yes (1.7+) | yes | yes |
| STDIN from dataset/sysin | no | no | yes | yes |
| Run a default login shell | yes | no (unless root) | no | yes |
| Run a Unix command without a shell | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Set ENV vars from JCL vars | limited [1] | limited [1] | limited [1] | yes |
| PARM= args support quoting | no | no | yes | yes |
| Override(set) step return code | no | no | no | yes |
| Support for JES Symbols | no | no | no | yes |
[1] One or more The size of the entire | ||||
