NBSpool for MPE Reference Guide

NBSpool Input Commands

4-33

WHILE

Like the XEQ command, the WHILE command allows you to repeatedly execute a set of commands.

Unlike

XEQ, the WHILE command executes the series of commands once per qualifying spool file.

Once all spool files are processed, the command terminates.

The subset is evaluated at the time the

WHILE command is entered. Any spool files qualifying at that

time will be used. Any files created after the

WHILE command is entered will be ignored, whether

they meet the subset or not.

To make this command work, two special NBSpool parameters are available during the execution

of the

WHILE command:

Parameter Description

!CURRENT

This parameter specifies the current spool file ID being processed. This value

changes each time through the

WHILE loop.

!NEW

If an NBSpool command causes a new spool file to be created, this parameter

will be set to the new spool file’s

ID. The value will remain available until

either another command which creates spool files is executed or when the end

of the current list of commands is reached.

These values are available anywhere in an NBSpool command line and act like actual MPE

variables. Note, however, that no MPE variables are set. Type

HELP VARIABLES for more

information on these variables.

The

WHILE command also supports the ERROR and END commands, and they have the same

function as in the

XEQ command. Turn to Chapter 5 for more information on the XEQ command.

WHILE Syntax

I> WHILE subset [;FILE=filename]

[;SHOW]