topic Re: batch/print queue entry number limits in Operating System - OpenVMS

batch/print queue entry number limits

Rich Bordewick — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 18:53:40 GMT

Hi,

Using OpenVMS V8.3-1H1. Is there a setting in OpenVMS to limit the batch queue entry number? I.e. Set back to 1. The system has always cycled between 1 and 1000. Now I am seeing 6000's.

How can I change that? Why would it change on its own?

Thanks

Re: batch/print queue entry number limits

Steven Schweda — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 00:59:26 GMT

> How can I change that? Why would it change on its own?

Why would you care? Is there some actual problem which you are
trying to solve?

Re: batch/print queue entry number limits

Rich Bordewick — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:50:00 GMT

The jobs that run in the batch queue use the entry number to read a file for run time parameters. The parameter file key is made up of the program id and the entry number, currently four digits/characters of the key. To change it to five digits/characters would be a rather large undertaking.

Re: batch/print queue entry number limits

Steven Schweda — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 17:17:18 GMT

> [...] the entry number, currently four digits/characters of the key.
> To change it to five digits/characters would be a rather large
> undertaking.

Not a very robust design (as you may have noticed).

Convert the decimal entry number to hexadecimal? (More exotic
encoding could extend the base beyond sixteen, allowing more material to
be crammed into your four-digit sack.)

Re: batch/print queue entry number limits

Rich Bordewick — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 18:11:45 GMT

Not a very robust design (as you may have noticed).

Well, when we begain writing this system thirty four years ago, our crystal ball was broken... It needs to last one or two more.

Thanks for the suggestion.