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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.

ISPF 3.3 – Dataset and Member Copy/Move Practice​

You may need to allocate a few datasets before beginning this exercise.

You may also use SYS1.* datasets as the source only (read-only). Never use them as the target.

Perfrom below task and observe the results.

Task Set 1: Copy and Move Operations​

  • Copy the dataset &SYSUID..MYDATA.INPUT to &SYSUID..MYDATA.BACKUP using ISPF Option 3.3.
  • Move the member MYPROG from &SYSUID..MYLIB.JCL to &SYSUID..MYLIB.NEWJCL.
  • Repeat the move above, but ensure the member already exists in the target dataset.
  • Copy the entire dataset &SYSUID..MYLIB.JCL to a dataset that does not exist. Proceed with the allocation when prompted.

Task Set 2: Selection and Filters​

  • From a PDS containing at least 30 members, copy only the members that begin with the name JOB to a new dataset.
  • Copy only two members named UTIL01 and UTIL99 from &SYSUID..MYLIB.UTILS to &SYSUID..MYLIB.SAMPLES.

Task Set 3: Conceptual Understanding​

  • Copy vs. Move Behavior
    • Perform a Copy and then a Move operation on a member.
    • Observe and record the differences in source and target datasets.
  • Copy to a Non-Partitioned Dataset
    • Try copying a member from a PDS to a sequential dataset.
    • Record the result.
  • Move to a Non-PDS Dataset
    • Attempt to move a PDS member to a target that is not partitioned.
    • Note the error or success screen response.

Task Set 4: Error and Edge Case Scenarios​

  • Target Dataset Too Small
    • Create a very small dataset (e.g., 1 track).
    • Try copying a large dataset into it.
    • What happens?
  • Mismatched Dataset Organization
    • Try copying a sequential dataset into a PDS.
    • Try copying a PDS into a sequential dataset.
    • Observe and record system responses.
  • Dataset Already in Use
    • Ask another user (or simulate with another session) to edit a dataset.
    • While it is being edited, try to move a member from or to that dataset.

ISPF 3.13 Dataset compare​

Create 2 dataset with following format to preform task for comparison

Dataset 1:

  • Add around 40 records in the dataset with format EMP001 John Developer 50000.
  • Keep each record unique
  • 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.

Task Set 1: Compare the dataset​

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.

Task Set 2: Error and Edge case Scenarios​

  • 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