WAz: A new easy way to Create, Modify, Replace and Backup Variable Tables

The Workload Automation Programming Language (WAPL) interface allows to  easily  manipulate Variable Tables through batch jobs. 
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In fact, it supplies a  Batch Loader-like processor  through which it is possible to  CREATE  and  MANIPULATE  variable tables inside IBM Workload Scheduler Database. 
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For example, through the following WAPL JCL: 

You can create the MYVARTAB table in the database.  Note that the BL-like statements can also be contained in a dataset.  

​You can create, update and replace a variable table using respectively the CREATE, UPDATE and REPLACE option in the DBMODE parameter. ​

But the most interesting capability is in the possibility to  BACKUP  a variable table, in order to recreate it later or in another WAz installation.  
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Using the following commands, in a WAPL JCL: ​

You obtain the following statements: ​

That, through another WAPL jcl, you can run to create the same table, or change to create a different one. 
  
…and even backup all the tables is possible: ​

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Author's BIO

Raffaella Viola, Advisory Software Engineer, HCL 
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Raffaella Viola is currently part of the Workload Automation for z/OS development team. In this role she has the responsibility to analyze customer requirements, design and implement related solutions. She started her experience with IBM Workload Scheduler for z/OS in 2006, covering different roles both in development and in customer support L3 team, where she faced with real field problems and had many opportunities to analyze customer needs. Raffaella has been working in IBM since 1992 on more zSeries products such as IBM Netview Distributed Manager and IBM Tivoli Decision Support. She graduated with honors in Electronic Engineering, in Italy and got piano conservatory graduation. She likes cooking and listening to music.  

Ilaria  Rispoli  , Client Advocacy Manager , HCL
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Ilaria Rispoli works in Workload Automation area and is leading the Advocacy Program for both on-premises and cloud solutions of the product in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and worldwide. She started her experience with IBM Workload Scheduler in 2000, covering different roles in development, customer support and verification team. Since 2016, thanks to her customer interaction experience, she has been appointed to lead the HCL Advocacy Program striving to deliver a high-touch, highly interactive approach to customer relationships, and to provide the greatest value and service to customers through strong connections. ​