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Status Not under consideration
Workspace z/OS
Categories z/OSMF
Created by Guest
Created on Sep 7, 2023

RELATED IDEAS

Allow software instances to have more than one workflow file

Even IBM written workflow (e.g. zCX) do have multiple files to have a separation between the workflow itself and the JCL or REXX templates. Like that, the workflow is much more maintainable compared to using inline templates. However when creating a software instance in software management, one can only select one single file and the user is forced to make use of inline templates. It would be great, if there was the possibility to add more files to the workflow of a software instance.

Idea priority High
  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Sep 14, 2023
    I am glad to hear the existing capabilities of z/OSMF Workflows and Software Management meet your needs. Based on this new information I am closing this request.

    Kurt Quackenbush -- z/OSMF Software Management
  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Sep 13, 2023
    Niklas, thank you for the response. According to the Workflows documentation for the <fileTemplate> element, "Specify the location as either the full path name of the file, beginning with the forward slash (/) and including the file name, or a relative path. If the file resides in the same directory as the workflow definition, specify the file name only."

    https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/zos/2.5.0?topic=workflow-template-steps

    Notice the second sentence, "If the file resides in the same directory as the workflow definition, specify the file name only." A similar statement is also true for a file template that resides in a partitioned data data (PDS); if the file template member resides in the same PDS as the workflow definition file, specify the member name only on the <fileTemplate> element.

    When you tell Software Management the location for a workflow definition file, Software Management exports the entire data set containing that workflow definition file into the Portable Software Instance. This is true for both PDS and UNIX data sets (zFS). Therefore, if the file template resides in the same data set or UNIX directory as the workflow definition file, then the file template will be exported implicitly. It is not necessary for you to identify the file templates to Software Management.

    I hope this information helps you to supply workflows with your Portable Software Instance. If the existing processing is not sufficient for your needs, please describe in more detail why you need the file templates to reside in a different data set or UNIX directory. Thank you.

    Kurt Quackenbush -- IBM, z/OSMF Software Management
    1 reply
  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Sep 8, 2023
    Thank you for submitting this IBM Idea. I understand when associating a workflow definition file with a software instance in z/OSMF Software Management that only the workflow definition file may be specified. The template for template steps in the workflow may be provided inline within the single workflow definition file, using the <inlineTemplate> element. However, the template may also reside in a separate file, defined using the <fileTemplate> element. If the workflow definition file is a member of a partitioned data set, then the template file may be a different member in that same data set. The member name is specified on the <fileTemplate> element. If the workflow definition file is a UNIX file, then the template file may be a different UNIX file residing in the same UNIX directory. The file name is specified on the <fileTemplate> element. Both of these methods are supported by Software Management currently. It is not necessary to identify the template files to Software Management, as the template files are found and used automatically when an instance of the workflow is created.

    Have you tried colocating the template within the same data set or UNIX directory as the workflow definition file? If so, can you please let me know why this is not sufficient for your needs? Please describe in more detail where you would like the template files located in relation to the workflow definition files and how you want Software Management to handle the template files. Thank you.

    Kurt Quackenbush -- IBM, z/OSMF Software Management
    1 reply

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