Rodney,
I use the following CMD file in a number of my job streams. I just invoke it with the
file specification that I am concerned about being in use. The CMD file sets a JCW
(INUSE) that can then be checked in the job.

I call the CMD file CHACTIVE for CHeck ACTIVE and invoke it as follows:
     !CHACTIVE @F@
     !IF INUSE = 1
     !    TELLOP *JPAYCALC - FILES IN USE CANNOT CREATE BEFORE TAPE
     !    TELLOP *JPAYCALC - CORRECT AND STREAM JPAYCALC AGAIN
     !    SJ .BPP
     !    EOJ

Here is the CMD file:
SOURCE:help chactive
USER DEFINED COMMAND FILE:  CHACTIVE.CMD.SYSBOE

parm File_Name="None",Entry="Main",Flen=0
option nolist
if "!Entry"="Main"
    LISTF !File_Name,2>temp
    setvar templen finfo("temp",19)
    chactive Entry="Check" Flen=templen<temp
    return
endif
if "!Entry"="Check"
    setvar tempctr 0
    setvar inuse 0
    while tempctr<!flen
        setvar temprec " "
        input temprec
        if len("!temprec") > 20
            if str("!temprec",9,1)="*"
                setvar inuse 1
            endif
        endif
        setvar tempctr tempctr + 1
    endwhile
    deletevar temprec
    deletevar tempctr
    deletevar templen
    return
endif

Hope this helps.
--
Thomas A Harmon                  (715) 833-5513
Systems Analyst                  mailto:[log in to unmask]
Eau Claire Area School District
500 Main Street
Eau Claire, WI  54701