Creates a subprocess of the current process. The context of the
subprocess is copied from the current process. You can use the
SPAWN command to leave SYSMAN temporarily, perform other tasks
(such as displaying a directory listing or printing a file), and
return to SYSMAN.
Note that SPAWN performs actions on the local node only. If you
want to execute DCL commands or command procedures throughout
your environment, use the DO command.
Requires TMPMBX or PRMMBX user privilege. The SPAWN command does
not manage terminal characteristics. You cannot use the SPAWN and
ATTACH commands if your terminal has an associated mailbox.
Format
SPAWN [command-string]
1 – Parameter
command-string
Specifies a command string of fewer than 132 characters that
you want executed in the context of the created subprocess.
When the command completes execution, the subprocess terminates
and control returns to the parent process. If you specify both
a command string and the /INPUT qualifier, the command string
executes before additional commands are obtained from the /INPUT
qualifier.
2 – Qualifiers
2.1 /INPUT
/INPUT=filespec
Specifies an input file containing one or more DCL command
strings that you want executed by the spawned subprocess. If you
specify a command string along with an input file, the command
string gets processed before the commands in the input file. When
processing is complete, the subprocess terminates.
2.2 /LOGICAL_NAMES
/LOGICAL_NAMES (default)
/NOLOGICAL_NAMES
Specifies that the logical names of the parent process are copied
to the subprocess. When you do not want the subprocess to use the
logical names of the parent process, enter the /NOLOGICAL_NAMES
qualifier.
2.3 /OUTPUT
/OUTPUT=filespec
Identifies the output file to which the results of the operation
are written. Specify an output other than SYS$OUTPUT whenever
you use the /NOWAIT qualifier. This prevents output from being
displayed while you are specifying new commands. If you omit the
/OUTPUT qualifier, output gets written to the current SYS$OUTPUT
device.
2.4 /PROCESS
/PROCESS=subprocess-name
Specifies the name of the subprocess that you want to create. The
default subprocess name is in the format USERNAME_n.
2.5 /SYMBOLS
/SYMBOLS (default)
/NOSYMBOLS
Determines whether the system passes DCL global and local symbols
to the subprocess.
2.6 /WAIT
/WAIT (default)
/NOWAIT
Controls whether the system waits until the subprocess completes
before you can specify more commands. The /NOWAIT qualifier
enables you to specify new commands while the specified
subprocess is running. If you specify the /NOWAIT qualifier,
use the /OUTPUT qualifier to direct the output to a file instead
of displaying it on the screen. Doing this prevents your terminal
from being used by more than one process simultaneously.
3 – Examples
1.SYSMAN> SPAWN DIR SYS$MANAGER:SITE*.*
Directory CLU$COMMON:[SYSMGR]
SITE$STARTUP.COM;5
Total of 1 file.
SYSMAN>
This command enables you to enter the DIRECTORY command in DCL
to see if a site-specific startup file is in the directory.
After the DIRECTORY command executes, control returns to the
parent process.
2.SYSMAN> SPAWN
$ EDIT SITE$STARTUP.COM
.
.
.
$ LOGOUT
Process SYSTEM_1 logged out at 28-JUN-2002 10:05:17.24
SYSMAN>
This example shows how you can use the SPAWN command to leave
SYSMAN and edit a file. The LOGOUT command returns you to
SYSMAN.
3.SYSMAN> SPAWN /NOLOGICAL_NAMES SET HOST
_Node: NODE21
.
.
.
$ LOGOUT
%REM-S-END, control returned to node _NODE22::
SPAWN>
This example shows how you can use the SPAWN command to create
a subprocess in which you can use the SET HOST command. When
you want to leave NODE21, enter the LOGOUT command. The
/NOLOGICAL_NAMES qualifier prevents the logical names of the
parent process from being copied to the subprocess.