Batch Jobs and Variants

[Former Member]

Hi,

In SM35 a batch job gets executed with the name changing on a daily basis. For eg

1st time it runs the name is T102973_DRI_001_C. Next time it runs the name is T102974_DRI_001_C. These jobs call the same program, CONVERT_CALL_FUNCTION. But the variant is always different and numeric. For eg &0000000089460 then the next time &0000000089461. However the program does not have any variant.

My questions are:

1) How are these jobs created so that the names change dynamically

2) The program does not have any variants, so where and how are these variants created.

3) How can I see the contents of these dynamic variants.

Thanks in advance.

Mick

[brad_bohn]

1 - the job name simply mirrors the name of the session from SM35 - whether it's a custom program or a SAP standard program, you can assign any 12 char name desired. Most likely there's a number range or other sequence counter storage involved.

2 - '&' indicates a dynamic variant - meaning that the program was run in background given a set of parameters (without a static variant)

3 - Go to SM37, display the job step, then Goto -> Variant

[Former Member]

Thanks Brad.

Extremely helpful.

Can you clarify what do you mean by the statement that the job name mirrors a batch session in SM35.

Points awarded.

MIck

[brad_bohn]

You said 'SM35' so I assumed you were referring to a batch session run in background (which creates a background job with the same name). However, I see that the name you specified is longer than 12 characters, so you must have meant 'SM37' instead. Sorry for misunderstanding.

You can create jobs dynamically via a program and specify the job name (such as with JOB_OPEN, SUBMIT, then JOB_CLOSE). If you don't use an explicit variant, you'll see the dynamic variant naming convention.

[Former Member]

Thanks Brad for clearing my doubts.

Points awarded.

Mick