Figure 1-3.—Job control log.
reference. Figure 1-3 illustrates a typical layout of input
control information.
When you receive a job, make an initial entry in the
log. As the job progresses, make additional entries as
appropriate. For example, if you send input to data
entry to be keyed, record this in the log. In the event a
job or its accompanying input becomes side-tracked,
misplaced, or lost, you still have a means of tracking
down the job or its input. The log can be of great help.
It points out such things as when the job was submitted,
the disposition of the input media, the location or the
computer system to which the job was assigned, the
progress (number of steps) the job has already gone
through, the type and amount of input submitted, the
person who accepted the job, and soon. If you are still
unable to locate the missing item, you are able to notify
the user. That person’s name, organization, and phone
number were initial entries in the log.
Job Preparation
To properly prepare the user’s job (specifically the
input) for processing, you must have a certain amount
of information. This information is located in what is
called a task folder, job folder, run folder, or run
procedure. Do not confuse these with run book, run
manual, or run instructions, which provide computer
program operating instructions for the operators. The
task folder provides you with such things as a run sheet,
control parameters, and output requirements.
RUN SHEET.— The run sheet contains the pro-
gram name or names and the job or task number under
which the job (or system) is to be executed or run. In
addition, it indicates all of the inputs: magnetic tapes,
disks, and diskettes required, depending upon the type
of run or possible options the user selected. There could
be one or several magnetic tapes and/or disk files needed
for the job. You might be required to retrieve them from
the media library, or you might just lookup the tape/disk
numbers and annotate them on the run sheet.
CONTROL PARAMETERS.— The task folder
will also indicate any parameters that are required.
These parameters provide application programs with
variable information, data elements that change from
one run to the next. For example, the type of run requested:
(D)aily, (W)eekly, (M)onthly, (Y)early, (E)dit input
only, and so on, or the entering of a date. You maybe
required to key in one or several of these parameters,
depending upon the complexity of the system.
OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS.— The task folder
and/or the computer run sheet show you all of the output
products: magnetic tapes/disks, and special forms that
are produced during the running of the job or system.
As an I/O control clerk, you maybe tasked to provide
the computer operators with the correct number of
blank, handwritten, or preprinted output tape/disk
labels and ensure a sufficient supply of tapes, disks,
paper, and special forms are on hand before the job or
system is scheduled to be run.
Job Monitoring
Although we would like to believe all jobs run
without error, there are occasions when a program
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