Not only can SDF-P commands be called from a procedure environment, but they can also be entered interactively at the data display terminal.
Generally speaking, it is always practical to use SDF-P interactively in situations where a job occurs in this exact form only once or only very seldom. Jobs that occur again and again should be executed in procedures.
The following are examples of practical uses of SDF-P commands in interactive mode:
Checking the syntax of command calls:
For example, when generating a procedure; in this way, syntax errors can be avoided or the correction of syntax errors can be checked before the next test run.Before a procedure call, prefilling variables that are then used within the called procedure:
For example, variables that are passed as procedure parameters.Programming loops interactively:
For example, when several files are to be processed consecutively.Starting up long program runs in a dialog block in which the program run is monitored:For example, long compiler runs in program test phases; the results are compiled and evaluated automatically; the programmer can use this time for other jobs and does not have to remain seated at the data display station.