In Job Control Language (JCL), checking whether a file is empty is a crucial step in data processing. An empty file, also known as a null file, contains no data records. Verifying if a file is empty allows for efficient processing and prevents errors or unexpected behavior in JCL programs.
There are several methods to check for empty files in JCL, including using JCL statements like the TESTR or TESTB commands. These commands evaluate the file’s status and return a code indicating whether the file is empty or not. Additionally, utility programs like IEBGENER can be employed to generate empty files or check for their existence.