Using the system reply list

By using the system reply list, you can specify that the system automatically issues the reply to specified predefined inquiry messages.

Only inquiry messages can be automatically responded to with the system reply list.

The system reply list contains message identifiers, optional compare data that must match the message data in the inquiry message, a reply value for each message, and a dump attribute that effectively does DSPJOB OUTPUT(*PRINT). The system reply list applies only to predefined inquiry messages that are sent by a job that uses the system reply list. You specify that a job is to use the system reply list for inquiry messages on the INQMSGRPY(*SYSRPYL) parameter on the following commands:

When a predefined inquiry message is sent by a job that uses the system reply list, the system searches the reply list in ascending sequence number order for an entry that matches the message identifier and, optionally, the compare data of the inquiry message. If an entry is found, the reply specified is issued and the user is not required to enter a reply. If an entry is not found, the message is sent to the display station user for interactive jobs or system operator for batch jobs.

The system reply list is shipped with the system with the following initial entries defined.

Sequence number Message identifier Compare value Reply Dump
10 CPA0700 *NONE D *YES
20 RPG0000 *NONE D *YES
30 CBE0000 *NONE D *YES
40 PLI0000 *NONE D *YES

These entries indicate that a reply of D is to be sent and a job dump is to be taken if the message CPA0700-CPA0799, RPG0000-RPG9999, CBE0000-CBE9999, or PLI0000-PLI9999 (which indicate a program failure) is sent by a job using the system reply list. For the system to use these entries, you must specify that the jobs are to use the system reply list by setting the inquiry message reply job attribute to *SYSRPYL.

To add other inquiry messages to the system reply list, use the Add Reply List Entry (ADDRPYLE) command. On this command you can specify the sequence number, the message identifier, optional compare data, compare data CCSID, reply action, and the dump attribute. The ADDRPYLE command function can be easily accessed by using the Work with System Reply List Entries (WRKRPYLE) command.

The following reply actions can be specified for the inquiry messages that are placed on the system reply list (the parameter value is given in parentheses):

The following commands add entries to the system reply list for messages RPG1241, RPG1200, CPA4002, CPA5316, and any other inquiry messages:

The system reply list now appears as follows.

Sequence number Message identifier Compare value (b is a blank) Compare start position Reply Dump
10 CPA0700   1 D *YES
15 RPG1241   1 C *NO
18 RPG1200   1 *DFT *YES
20 RPG0000   1 D *YES
22 CPA4002 'QSYSPRT' 1 *RQD *NO
25 CPA4002   1 G *NO
27 CPA5316 'QSYSPRT' 21 I *NO
30 CBE0000   1 D *YES
40 PLI0000   1 D *YES
9999 *ANY   1 *DFT *NO

For a job that uses this system reply list, the following occurs when the messages that were added to the reply list are sent by the job:

When the compare value contains *CCHAR data, the message data that is from the sending function is converted to the CCSID of the message data that is stored in the system reply list before the compare is made. The system converts data that is of type *CCHAR only.

CAUTION:
The following restrictions apply when using *CCHAR data as compare data:
  • You cannot mix *CCHAR data with other data when adding this type of reply list entry.
  • You cannot include the length of the *CCHAR data in the compare data.

If you mix *CCHAR data or include the length of the *CCHAR data, unpredictable results may occur.

An entry remains on the system reply list until you use the Remove Reply List Entry (RMVRPYLE) command to remove it. You can use the Change Reply List Entry (CHGRPYLE) command to change the attributes of a reply list entry, and you can use the Work with System Reply List Entry (WRKRPYLE) command to display the reply entries currently in the reply list.

The job log receives a completion message indicating a successful change when the system reply list is updated using ADDRPYLE, CHGRPYLE, or RMVRPYLE. The history log QHST also receives a completion message to record the change.

If messages are added to the system reply list, it is helpful to have a CL program created to add the entries. For example, if the reply list is damaged and gets cleared after an IPL, the CL program can be called to re-add the entries, rather than having users re-add entries manually.

If a program has not been created to update system reply list entries, there are some alternatives to re-establish the system reply list after it has been lost:
  • After changes have been made to the system replay list, use the Retrieve System Information (RTVSYSINF) command to save data to a library. Note that this also saves other system information in addition to the system reply list. Then later, when the system reply list needs to be updated, the Update System Information (UPDSYSINF) command can be used. The UPDSYSINF command uses the data that was saved with the RTVSYSINF command.
  • Another alternative is to restore the system reply list from a backup. This assumes that a save operation of the system has been done and all the necessary entries were added to the system reply list before the save operation. A slip installation of the base operating system needs to be done with the following steps:
    1. With the key in MANUAL mode, do an IPL.
    2. On the DST IPL/install screen, select option 2 to install.
    3. On the Install Operating System screen (that is the time/date screen), select option 2 to change install options.
    4. On the Specify Install Options screen, select option 1 to restore program and language options from media.
    5. On the Specify Restore Options screen, select option 1 to restore for MESSAGE REPLY LIST. It is about the third item on the screen.
      Note: Usually, the default value of this screen is 2 or 3 to indicate not to restore the item.
    6. Continue the installation and the command entry display should be shown.
    7. Take the key out of manual mode.