Qualifying variables in C and C++

You can precisely specify an object, provided you know the following:
  • Load module or DLL name
  • Source file (compilation unit) name
  • Block name (must include function prototype for C++ block qualification).
These are known as qualifiers and some, or all, might be required when referencing an object in a command. Qualifiers are separated by a combination of greater than signs (>) and colons and precede the object they qualify. For example, the following is a fully qualified object:
load_name::>cu_name:>block_name:>object

If required, load_name is the name of the load module. It is required only when the program consists of multiple load modules and when you want to change the qualification to other than the current load module. load_name is enclosed in quotation marks ("). If it is not, it must be a valid identifier in the C or C++ programming language. load_name can also be the z/OS® Debugger variable %LOAD.

If required, CU_NAME is the name of the compilation unit or source file. The cu_name must be the fully qualified source file name or an absolute pathname. It is required only when you want to change the qualification to other than the currently qualified compilation unit. It can be the z/OS Debugger variable %CU. If there appears to be an ambiguity between the compilation unit name, and (for example), a block name, you must enclose the compilation unit name in quotation marks (").

If required, block_name is the name of the block. block_name can be the z/OS Debugger variable %BLOCK.

Example: using qualification in C

Refer to the following topics for more information related to the material discussed in this topic.