1  SPAWN
   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]
 

2  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
 

/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.
 

/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.
 

/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.
 

/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.
 

/SYMBOLS

      /SYMBOLS (default)
      /NOSYMBOLS

   Determines whether the system passes DCL global and local symbols
   to the subprocess.
 

/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.
 

2  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.