Format

      SPAWN  [ qualifier ]  ...  [ command-string ]

1  –  Parameters

1.1  –  command-string

    Specifies an OpenVMS DCL command you want to perform in the
    context of the subprocess the SPAWN command creates. After the
    subprocess executes this command string, DCL returns control to
    your CDO process. A command string cannot exceed 132 characters.

2  –  Qualifiers

2.1    /INPUT=file-spec

    Specifies an OpenVMS file containing one or more DCL commands
    that DCL executes in the spawned subprocess. Once DCL finishes
    processing your input file, DCL terminates the subprocess and
    returns you to the CDO prompt.

2.2    /OUTPUT=file-spec

    Requests that the output from the subprocess be written to the
    OpenVMS file you specify.

2.3    /WAIT

    Format options:

       /WAIT (default)
       /NOWAIT

    Specifies whether the system waits until DCL completes a
    subprocess before allowing more commands to be issued in the
    parent process (the process in which you are running CDO).

    The /WAIT qualifier does not return you to the parent process
    until the command string you specify completes execution, or you
    log out of the created subprocess. You can also use the ATTACH
    command to return to the parent process.

    The /NOWAIT qualifier allows you to issue new commands while a
    subprocess is running. Use the /NOWAIT qualifier interactively.
    This directs output from the subprocess to a file so only one
    process at a time uses your terminal. Otherwise, the only way to
    distinguish one process from another is by the prompt. The CDO
    prompt indicates the parent process; the DCL prompt (normally a
    dollar sign) indicates the subprocess.

    If you specify the /NOWAIT qualifier and your input device is
    a terminal, control characters such as Ctrl/T or Ctrl/Y affect
    all subprocesses sharing the input device. For example, Ctrl/Y
    interrupts all such subprocesses.

3  –  Description

    The SPAWN command creates a subprocess of the current CDO
    process.

4  –  Examples

    1.CDO>  SPAWN SHOW TIME
      17-FEB-1997 16:28:29
      CDO>

      In this example, the SPAWN command creates a subprocess to
      execute the DCL command SHOW TIME. After the SHOW TIME command
      completes executing, DCL returns control to the parent CDO
      process.

    2.CDO>  SPAWN
      $ LOGOUT
      CDO>

      In this example, the SPAWN command creates a subprocess at the
      DCL prompt. To return to the CDO process, type LOGOUT at the
      DCL prompt.

    3.CDO> SPAWN RUN SQL$
      SQL>

      In this example, the SPAWN command creates a subprocess to run
      interactive SQL.