This tutorial shows how to access a data file through the IBM File Manager Formatted Editor. The Formatted Editor is a feature-rich file browsing and editing experience that gives the user control over how the data contained within a file is presented, as well as advanced functionality that makes editing and manipulating data effective and efficient.
Prerequisites
To take advantage of this feature, you need:
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IBM Developer for zSystems (IDz) software, installed and configured with a connection to an MVS LPAR
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Basic understanding of IDz navigation concepts, including the context menu (check out our no-charge IDz Remote Training options)
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Access to IBM File Manager Eclipse plug-in*, installed and shell-sharing in IDz. *Minimum version required: v12
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Access to application source and related data resources on MVS LPAR
Estimated time
Creating a connection to File Manager via the IDz interface and setting up Formatted Editing in File Manager should take about 10 minutes.
Steps
In this example, we will be looking at a QSAM file and using a COBOL copybook as a template to format the data, making it easier to read and edit.
1. To begin, open IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz) and specify the workspace you would like open IDz with.
2. From the open workbench, navigate to the menu bar at the top and select Window > Show View > Other.
This opens the IDz Show View menu.
3. From this menu, click in the text box at the top of the window and type SYS, then select Systems Information from the returned results and click OK. This will add the Systems Information view to your current IDz Perspective.
4. With the Systems Information view open, right-click within it and select Add System. This will bring up a pop up window that will assist with creating a new connection to File Manager.
5. Fill in the necessary information, including a familiar name, Host name, and File Manager port number. Once done, click Save and Connect.
After clicking Save and Connect, the Singon window will appear.
6. Enter a familiar name for the credentials you are about to enter, then enter in your TSO ID and password, and click OK to connect to File Manager.
At this point, you will have created a connection and connected to File Manager.
7. Next, from the Systems Information view, expand the connection you created, then Data Sets, then Browse Data Sets, and finally right-click on a data set and select Formatted Editor.
The Editor Options window will appear.
8. From this window, type in or use the Lookup button to fill in a fully qualified data set name for the copybook you will use as a template for viewing data, then click Edit.
This will open the dataset in Formatted Edit mode, as seen below. Formatted editing in File Manager provides many benefits, including but not limited to:
To learn more helpful techniques and tips, please consider attending the IDz Distance Learning course, a no-charge, instructor-led enablement program that is held quarterly by Chris Sayles. The program has just been expanded this semester to include two new learning tracks, all at no cost to the attendee.