Using the DO_TABLES Command

The do_tables command can be used for processing product data. It should be used instead of the $[break] tables.


The do_tables command is also used for processing trailerized data. It should be used instead of the often complex $[overlay] tables that have been used in the past to achieve the same results.

Commands related to do_tables:

  • do_tables
  • do_tables leave_open
  • do_tables name (where “name” is a user label for a chain)
  • do_tables leave_open name
  • chain=name
  • read_proc=name (where “name” is the name of a defined proc)
  • read_proc=;


The example spec files in this setup are progressive. Each one demonstrates a somewhat more complex use of do_tables and the commands related to it.

test0 reformats data and writes an ~output file and uses $[break] tables

test1 reformats data using do_tables and read_proc and uses $[break] tables

test2 reformats data and creates tables using do_tables and read_proc

test3 reformats data and creates tables using do_tables with the leave_open option and read_proc

test4 reformats data and creates stats= tables using do_tables with the leave_open option and read_proc

test5 uses the same features as test 4 plus chain= is added in execute block

test5a uses the same features as test5 plus combines chain names

test6 uses the same features as test5 plus read_proc=;

test7 close to a real job, uses chain= in a tabset

test8 warning about reformating data when using read_proc=

  • dotables.zip