Introduction

PCMPSPLF compares contents (print records) in two same/similar spool files. This is one of the commands in our ISeries utilities library (click this URL for full Prospero Software PSPUTIL contact and pricing details).

You can input the spool file details (job details plus spool file number) directly when you run the PCMPSPLF command, or simply use the PCMPOUTQ to select the spool files to compare.

PCMPSPLF displays a screen split horizontally to show records from each of the two selected spool files. You can step forwards and backwards through the differences between the 2 files (F8 and F7 respectively). The difference is highlighted via asterisks in the middle of the screen (on line 12). The top of the screen (line 2) lists the page/line/columns where the differences are found. Page up/down jumps to top of preceding or following page. Normal windowing left/right is available via F19/F20 and exact positioning is possible via an input-capable field at the bottom of screen.

PCMPSPLF can be used in circumstances like a parallel run e.g. where 2 sets of reports are generated which do not differ significantly. It is a good tool for system testers and testing teams to test system results. Simple list reports in this case may have expected differences e.g. a job date/time in the report header. These types of differences can be skipped by pressing F11=Ignore. This will flag that particular line/column selection on all pages as ignorable.

Examples

PCMPSPLF FILE1(GLACCLST) JOB1(228627/ACCTS/GLRUN) SPLNBR1(28) FILE2(GLACCLST) JOB2(229545/ACCTS/GLRUN) SPLNBR2(27)

Command above compares spool files - from 2 different jobs for user profile ACCTS.

PCMPSPLF FILE1(GLACCLST) SPLNBR1(1) SPLNBR2(2)

Command above compares first and second spool files (both named GLACCLST) for current job.

Restrictions

1)	PCMPSPLF always compares same pages/lines of the 2 spool files. If one spool file has an extra line (additional record is printed), then PCMPSPLF does not really cope i.e. it is not smart enough to start comparing line X of report 1 with line X+1 of report 2. Future enhancement could deal with this e.g. additional command keys to ‘advance a line’ of either report.
2)	PCMPSPLF only compares simple text reports. Any fancy printing (e.g. graphics) is dropped when the underlying CPYSPLF command runs.
3)	There is a hard-coded limitation (internal array size) on the number of ‘ignores’ after which F11 is no longer available.
4)	There is no facility to reset ‘ignores’ - simply exit and rerun the PCMPSPLF command if you hit F11 by mistake.

IBM rebranded the AS/400 - some users called it AS400 - to ISeries several years ago and then to System i. All 4 names - ISeries, AS/400, AS400, System i - refer to exactly the same system.