Work Flow Language (WFL) is used for constructing jobs that compile or run programs. WFL includes variables, expressions, and flow-of-control statements that offer the programmer a wide range of capabilities with regard to task control.

This manual is a complete language reference for WFL users, whether they are beginning users just learning WFL, or experienced users who need to check on the details of a particular construct.

Purpose and Scope

Although this manual sometimes mentions specific task attributes or file attributes, it does not describe these attributes in great detail. For detailed information regarding task attributes, refer to the Task Attributes Programming Reference Manual. For detailed information about file attributes, refer to the File Attributes Programming Reference Manual.

This manual also mentions some specific system commands that are entered at an operator display terminal (ODT). For detailed information about these commands, refer to the System Commands Reference.

Audience and Prerequisites

The audience for this manual consists of programmers and operators who need to write jobs that initiate and control tasks.

The user is assumed to have had prior experience with programming in a block-structured language (for example, ALGOL, COBOL, RPG, or some other block-structured language). However, there is no single programming language the user needs to know to understand this manual. Additionally, the user is assumed to be familiar with ClearPath MCP systems, at least to the extent of knowing how to create and edit files by using CANDE or the Editor.

If you are not familiar with ClearPath MCP systems, you should first read the System Administration Guide and the System Operations Guide. If you are not familiar with the concepts of process initiation and process control, you should first read the Task Attributes Programming Reference Manual. If you prefer to learn by example, consider reading WFL Made Simple.

How to Use This Manual

This manual is intended primarily for reference, although a new user can learn a great deal about WFL by reading the first five sections. Statements begins with a functional grouping of the various WFL statements, and then presents descriptions of the statements in alphabetical order for quick reference.

Railroad diagrams are used to illustrate WFL syntax. If you are not familiar with this type of syntax notation, you should read Understanding Railroad Diagrams.

Some WFL constructs share a common syntax. In certain instances, these constructs share the same railroad diagram. For example:

<day interval>

<mm>

<dd>

  ┌◄────────────┐
──┴─/2\─<digit>─┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤

The syntax for many WFL constructs is rather complex. To show an appropriate level of detail, most railroad diagrams use basic constructs that are explained elsewhere in the manual. You can quickly locate the more detailed syntax for these subordinate constructs using the index.