Understanding AutoSys JIL Attributes: A Comprehensive Guide

 Understanding AutoSys JIL Attributes: A Comprehensive Guide

AutoSys, a powerful job scheduling and automation tool, allows users to define, schedule, and manage jobs using Job Information Language (JIL). JIL is a scripting language that describes job parameters and their associated attributes. Understanding the various JIL attributes is crucial for effectively creating and managing jobs in AutoSys. This article provides a detailed overview of the most commonly used JIL attributes, their purposes, and how to use them.

What is JIL in AutoSys?

JIL (Job Information Language) is the language used in AutoSys to define jobs and their properties. It allows users to specify job types, schedules, conditions, and more. Each job in AutoSys is described by a set of attributes in a JIL script. These attributes determine how the job will behave, when it will run, and what dependencies it will have.

Key AutoSys JIL Attributes

Below is a list of some of the most important JIL attributes, categorized by their functions:

1. Job Identification Attributes

• insert_job:

  • Description: The primary attribute used to define the name of the job and its type.
  • Example:

    
    insert_job: my_job_name job_type: c
    

  • Values:
    • job_type: Defines the type of job. Common job types include:
      • c (Command Job)
      • b (Box Job)
      • f (File Watcher Job)
      • t (Trigger Job)

• owner:

  • Description: Specifies the user account under which the job will run.
  • Example:

    
    owner: my_user_account
    

2. Job Execution Attributes

• command:

  • Description: Defines the command or script that will be executed by the job.
  • Example:

    
    command: /path/to/my/script.sh
    

• machine:

  • Description: Specifies the machine or server on which the job will run.
  • Example:

    
    machine: my_server_name
    

• std_out_file / std_err_file:

  • Description: Defines the file paths where standard output and standard error will be logged.
  • Example:

    
    std_out_file: /var/log/my_job_output.log
    std_err_file: /var/log/my_job_error.log
    

• alarm_if_fail:

  • Description: Determines whether an alarm should be triggered if the job fails.
  • Example:

    
    alarm_if_fail: 1
    

3. Scheduling Attributes

• start_times:

  • Description: Defines specific times when the job should start.
  • Example:

    
    start_times: "09:00, 15:00"
    

• run_window:

  • Description: Specifies a time window within which the job must start.
  • Example:

    
    run_window: "20:00-23:00"
    

• days_of_week:

  • Description: Specifies the days of the week on which the job should run.
  • Example:

    
    days_of_week: mo, tu, we, th, fr
    

• date_conditions:

  • Description: Indicates whether date-based conditions are used to control the job's execution.
  • Example:

    
    date_conditions: 1
    

• start_mins:

  • Description: Specifies the exact minutes within the hour when the job should start.
  • Example:

    
    start_mins: 30
    

4. Dependency Attributes

• condition:

  • Description: Defines the conditions that must be met for the job to run. This can include the statuses of other jobs or box jobs.
  • Example:

    
    condition: s(jobA) & f(jobB)
    

  • Values:
    • s(jobA): Job A must have succeeded.
    • f(jobB): Job B must have failed.

• box_name:

  • Description: Indicates that the job is a member of a specific box job.
  • Example:

    
    box_name: my_box_name
    

5. Job Control Attributes

• max_run_alarm:

  • Description: Sets a time limit (in minutes) for how long the job can run before an alarm is triggered.
  • Example:

    
    max_run_alarm: 120
    

• term_run_time:

  • Description: Defines the maximum amount of time (in minutes) the job is allowed to run before it is automatically terminated.
  • Example:

    
    term_run_time: 240
    

• priority:

  • Description: Assigns a priority level to the job, which can affect the order in which jobs are selected for execution.
  • Example:

    
    priority: 10
    

• permission:

  • Description: Defines the access permissions for the job.
  • Example:

    
    permission: gx,ge
    

  • Values:
    • gx: Group execute
    • ge: Group edit

6. Notification Attributes

• notification:

  • Description: Defines the conditions under which notifications should be sent and to whom.
  • Example:

    
    notification: failure
    

• notification_emailaddress:

  • Description: Specifies the email address where notifications should be sent.
  • Example:

    
    notification_emailaddress: admin@example.com
    

Using JIL Attributes Effectively

To use JIL attributes effectively, it's essential to understand the overall workflow and the specific requirements of each job. Here are some best practices:

• Plan Your Workflow: Before creating jobs, map out your workflow, dependencies, and schedules. This will help you choose the appropriate attributes and values.

• Use Comments: Although not a JIL attribute, adding comments to your JIL scripts can make them easier to understand and maintain.

  
  /* This is a comment */
  

• Test Before Deployment: Before deploying jobs in a production environment, test them in a development or staging environment to ensure they behave as expected.

• Regularly Review Jobs: As your workflow evolves, periodically review your JIL scripts and attributes to ensure they still meet your requirements.

Conclusion

JIL attributes in AutoSys provide a powerful and flexible way to define and control job behavior. By understanding and using these attributes effectively, you can optimize job scheduling, manage dependencies, and ensure that your IT workflows run smoothly. Whether you're defining simple command jobs or complex box jobs, mastering JIL attributes is key to getting the most out of AutoSys.