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Introduction​

We have already seen dataset allocation and edit/view/browse. There are few other operation which are necessary in day-to-day work of a Mainframe application developer.

These exercises will help application developers practice copy, compare and other few important dataset operation using ISPF panels.

Exercise : ISPF 3.3 Move/Copy Utility​

note

You may need to allocate the necessary dataset to perform few operation. Alternatively you can also use SYS1.* dataset as a source dataset to copy from. Do not ever use SYS1.* dataset a target. They are meant only for source dataset.

  • Use ISPF Option 3.3 to copy a sequential dataset from your working library to a backup dataset.
    • Source: &SYSUID..MYDATA.INPUT
    • Target: &SYSUID..MYDATA.BACKUP.
  • Move a PDS Member
    • Move a member MYPROG from dataset &SYSUID..MYLIB.JCL to &SYSUID..MYLIB.NEWJCL.
    • What happens if the target member already exists?
  • Dataset Allocation Practice
    • Try copying to a dataset that does not exist yet.
    • Observe what screen you are taken to.
    • What minimum information is required to complete the allocation?
  • Member Selection Challenge
    • In a PDS with 30+ members, copy only the members that start with JOB to a new PDS.
    • Which command will you use on the selection panel
  • Copy vs. Move
    • What is the main difference between Copy and Move when used with PDS members?
    • Bonus: What happens to the source member in each case?
  • Error Handling
    • Try moving a PDS member to an existing non-PDS target.
    • What error do you get, and why.

Exercise : ISPF 3.13 Dataset compare​

  • Create 2 dataset with following format.
    • Dataset 1:
      • Add around 40 records in the dataset with format EMP001 John Developer 50000.
      • Keep each record different.
      • Add following record at position specified
        • 12: EMP012 Kate Tester 52000.
        • 24: EMP024 Wendy Manager 60000.
        • 36: EMP036 Ian Engineer 58000.
    • Dataset 2:
      • Copy the same 40 records to new file.
      • Just modify following record at the position specified.
        • 12: EMP012 Kate Tester 54000.
        • 24: EMP024 Wendy Sr.Manager 70000.
        • 36: EMP041 None Sr.Engineer 34000.
  • Compare both the dataset using 3.13 using different combination of Comparison Type and Listing Type:.
    • Valid Compare Type: File, Line, Word and Byte.
    • Valid Listing Type: OVSUM, DELTA, CHNG, LONG, NOLIST.
  • Try modifying Display Output from Yes to No and Cond. Use help panel to match your understanding.
  • Try removing Listing DSN and observe the result