The Batch Scheduling Facility

Commands and Services can be scheduled to run on a regular basis using the Batch Scheduling Facility. A Batch Definition contains instructions in the form of components that define scheduling and what the Batch executes. When the Batch Definition is scheduled on the Manager, it creates a Batch Entry, which typically waits until its scheduled time, then executes, creating a Batch Execution. Services are executed using an embedded Driver on the Manager.

Using the Administration Tool, you can write a Batch Definition with specific scheduling instructions. You can specify a Batch Definition to immediately execute when scheduled, or it can wait until a given time and date. A Batch Definition can be submitted to run at a specific absolute time, or a relative time, such as every hour. They can also be written to wait for an event, such as a new, modified, or deleted file.

A Batch Definition consists of Batch Components. When a Batch Definition is scheduled, it creates a Batch Entry and runs as defined by the Batch Components. When it runs, it creates a Batch Execution file, which then executes the components according to the definition.

Batch Definitions contain one or more components contained within a batch component. A Command component contains a program that is run by the Batch Definition. A schedule or event component specifies when subsequent Command components run.