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Initiator

Enhanced Definition

A z/OS component that selects jobs from the JES input queue and allocates resources for their execution. Initiators bridge between the job entry subsystem and actual job execution. An Initiator, often referred to as a Job Initiator, is a component of the Job Entry Subsystem (JES) in z/OS (either JES2 or JES3) responsible for selecting jobs from the job queue, allocating necessary resources, and starting their execution as an address space. It acts as a "job starter," preparing the environment for a batch job or started task to run.

Key Characteristics

- Job selection from queue
- Resource allocation
- JCL interpretation
- Program invocation
- Job step management
Initiator Classes:
- Class A-Z and 0-9 assignments
- Multiple initiators per class
- Priority-based selection
- Work mix management
Job Selection Process:
1. Check initiator class assignments 2. Scan input queue for eligible jobs 3. Verify resource availability 4. Allocate datasets and devices 5. Load and execute programs 6. Manage job steps 7. Handle completion and cleanup
Initiator Configuration:
- Number of active initiators
- Class assignments
- Performance group associations
- Resource limits
- WLM integration

Use Cases

- Managing batch workload execution
- Controlling job throughput
- Balancing system resources
- Implementing job priorities
- Managing mixed workloads