VM2000 supports a structured output in S variables for all its information commands (with the exception of /SHOW-VM-STATUS) if they are executed in a user task. The S variables can be analyzed with the software product SDF-P.
A structured output means that the output information is supplied in a list variable (of type structure) that is declared by the user. Every element of the structure may be either a simple S variable, or a complex one again. At the hierarchical lowest level, there are simple S variables of type S (string), I (integer) or B (boolean) for the elementary information.
The layout of the superordinate S variable of type structure (listing all simple S variables for the elementary information) is a component of the respective command description. The simple S variables are sorted in a table according to application groups and listed there under specification of their name, meaning, content and type.
Names of the S variables
The names (e.g. VM-INDEX) are preset for the respective information commands. They are appended to the S variable name declared by the user. The names are oriented, as far as possible, toward the corresponding operand names or output designations. If the information at this level continues to be hierarchically subdivided, the names of the lower levels are appended, each separated by a period.
The user can access either the desired elementary information by specifying the name of the corresponding simple S variable, or the complex information by specifying the superordinate S variable.
The names of the S variables are preset for each information command and guaranteed for the follow-up versions, i.e. they will not be changed.
Contents of the simple S variables
As far as possible, the contents of the simple S variables correspond to the associated output values for SYSOUT. The type of the S variable determines the character set from which the contents of the S variable originate.
Types of the simple S variables
The simple S variables are of type: S (string), I (integer) or B (boolean). The type is presented in column T of the table.
For information on working with S variables, see the “Commands“ manual [13].
For an example of the evaluation of S variables in VM2000, turn to "Automating VM2000 and VM administration".