AutoSys: Understanding Events and Sendevent Commands

AutoSys: Understanding Events and Sendevent Commands

 

AutoSys is a sophisticated job scheduling and workload automation tool used by enterprises to manage complex job workflows across various platforms. One of the key features of AutoSys is its event-driven architecture, which allows for the dynamic control and execution of jobs based on specific events. In this context, the sendevent command plays a crucial role, allowing users to manually trigger or manipulate jobs and jobstreams. This article explores the concepts of events and the sendevent command in AutoSys, detailing how they work, their usage, and best practices.

What is an Event in AutoSys?

In AutoSys, an event refers to an occurrence that can trigger actions within the AutoSys environment. Events are fundamental to how AutoSys operates, as they dictate when and how jobs are executed, modified, or managed. Events can be time-based (such as a scheduled start time), condition-based (such as the completion of another job), or manual (triggered by users or other processes).

Types of Events in AutoSys:

1. Job Events: These include events like the start, completion, success, or failure of a job.
2. Time Events: These are based on the job's schedule, such as daily, weekly, or specific times.
3. File Watcher Events: Triggered when a specific file is created, modified, or deleted.
4. Custom Events: Defined by the user to trigger specific actions within the jobstream.

The Sendevent Command

The sendevent command in AutoSys is used to manually trigger or control events. This command allows users to interact with jobs outside their scheduled execution by sending specific events to jobs, boxes, or jobstreams. The sendevent command is particularly useful for testing, troubleshooting, and managing jobs in real-time.

Common Sendevent Commands

Here are some of the most commonly used sendevent commands in AutoSys:

1. STARTJOB: Forces a job to start, bypassing its scheduled time or conditions.

   
   sendevent -E STARTJOB -J job_name
   

2. STOPJOB: Stops a running job.

   
   sendevent -E STOPJOB -J job_name
   

3. FORCE_STARTJOB: Forces a job to start immediately, regardless of its dependencies or conditions.

   
   sendevent -E FORCE_STARTJOB -J job_name
   

4. KILLJOB: Kills a running job, terminating its process immediately.

   
   sendevent -E KILLJOB -J job_name
   

5. CHANGE_STATUS: Changes the status of a job without executing or terminating it. For example, to change a job's status to "INACTIVE":

   
   sendevent -E CHANGE_STATUS -s INACTIVE -J job_name
   

6. ON_HOLD: Places a job or box on hold, preventing it from starting even if its conditions are met.

   
   sendevent -E JOB_ON_HOLD -J job_name
   

7. OFF_HOLD: Removes the hold on a job or box, allowing it to run if its conditions are met.

   
   sendevent -E JOB_OFF_HOLD -J job_name
   

8. ON_ICE: Places a job or box on ice, meaning it won't run and its downstream dependencies won’t consider it, but the job remains in the jobstream.

   
   sendevent -E JOB_ON_ICE -J job_name
   

9. OFF_ICE: Removes the ice status, allowing the job to run according to its schedule and conditions.

   
   sendevent -E JOB_OFF_ICE -J job_name
   

10. DELETEJOB: Deletes a job from the AutoSys database.

    
    sendevent -E DELETEJOB -J job_name
    

Use Cases for the Sendevent Command

1. Manual Job Control: Administrators can manually start, stop, or kill jobs as needed, which is especially useful during testing or in response to unexpected issues.

2. Jobstream Management: By using the sendevent command, users can manage the flow of jobstreams dynamically, such as putting jobs on hold or on ice to control the execution order.

3. Error Handling: When a job fails or encounters an issue, the sendevent command can be used to restart the job, bypass dependencies, or modify job status to facilitate recovery.

4. Ad-Hoc Scheduling: The sendevent command allows users to run jobs outside their regular schedule, enabling ad-hoc execution in response to immediate business needs.

5. Real-Time Troubleshooting: During troubleshooting, users can interact directly with jobs using the sendevent command, allowing for real-time adjustments and testing.

Best Practices for Using Sendevent

1. Use with Caution: The sendevent command can override the normal job scheduling and dependencies, so it should be used with caution. Ensure that manual interventions do not disrupt critical workflows.

2. Document Changes: When using sendevent for troubleshooting or ad-hoc job runs, document the changes made to ensure traceability and help in understanding the job's history.

3. Understand the Impact: Before using commands like KILLJOB or DELETEJOB, understand the impact on downstream jobs and the overall jobstream.

4. Testing: Use sendevent commands in a test environment before applying them to production jobs to ensure they work as expected.

5. Coordinate with Team Members: When manually triggering jobs or changing their status, coordinate with other team members to avoid conflicts and ensure that everyone is aware of the changes being made.

Conclusion

The sendevent command in AutoSys is a powerful tool that allows users to manually interact with jobs, providing flexibility and control over job execution. By understanding how events work in AutoSys and how to use the sendevent command effectively, administrators can manage jobstreams more efficiently, respond quickly to issues, and optimize the overall job scheduling process. However, due to its powerful nature, sendevent should be used judiciously, with a clear understanding of its potential impact on the system and job dependencies.