title: Symbolic Parameters in Dataset name JCL
body: <p>In JCL, normally Symbolic parameters is created using &amp; (Ampersand sign) followed by the variable name.</p>
  
  <p>But in dataset name, It has to followed by the dot sign after the variable name.
  Example:</p>
  
  <pre><code>//J&amp;USER JOB 1
  //MYSTEP EXEC PGM=MYPROG
  //MYDATA DD DSN=&amp;USER..MYCLASS.COOL
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Why is that so? I am afraid of inconsistency later, so I ask this question. Thanks for any helps in advance.</p>