QMF batch failures often go undetected. Since the jobstep appears to end normally, multi-step jobstreams don't work correctly, nor do production control systems such as OPC/ESA and CA-7. Meanwhile, no one realizes that critical QMF production jobs haven't run.
The Smart/QMF Batch Facility (Smart/QBF) reflects SQL and QMF errors at the jobstep level -- so both people and software will know when a failure occurs. This ensures proper execution of downstream jobsteps and allows production control software to work correctly. Later investigation can tell at a glance what went wrong because Smart/QBF writes its diagnostics directly to the JES listing or a message file you define.
Existing QMF queries and procedures run without change because Smart/QBF operates transparently within QMF. Moreover, Smart/QBF makes it easier to develop and maintain QMF batch applications. For example, you can pass parameters to QMF procedures without ISPF file tailoring and specify error handling without a separate REXX exec or TSO CLIST. Instead, you can code everything instream with the JCL.
