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Tailored Data Set List

By Morag Hughson posted Tue February 04, 2025 06:08 AM

  

This post is describing something that helps with dataset lists, just as my previous blog post helped with jobname list.

You are probably used to using ISPF 3.4 to bring up a list of datasets and likely use a pattern to show more than one. Commonly you might simply show all those datasets for your tsouser.

  Menu  RefList  RefMode  Utilities  Help
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Data Set List Utility

Option ===>

blank Display data set list P Print data set list
V Display VTOC information PV Print VTOC information

Enter one or both of the parameters below:
Dsname Level . . . GEMUSER
Volume serial . .

But have you ever wanted to show a list of datasets that you can't fit into a single pattern ? Well, this one is for you!

Select the Reflist menu you'll see at the top of the 3.4 screen, and choose option 2.

  Menu  RefList  RefMode  Utilities  Help
───── ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ─────────────────────
2 1. Current Personal Data Set List
Optio 2. List of Personal Data Set Lists
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
blank Display data set list P Print data set list
V Display VTOC information PV Print VTOC information

This will show you the panel for creating a Personal Data Set List which contains one automatically created list of your last 30 referenced data sets.

  File  View  Options  Help
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Active:
**None** Personal Data Set Lists List 1 of 1
Command ===> Scroll ===> PAGE

Action: O=Open A=Save As D=Delete E=Edit L=DSLIST U=UDLIST

Name Description Created Referenced
_
REFLIST Last 30 referenced data sets 25/01/23 08:36
**End**

To make a new list go to the file menu and choose new list.

  File  View  Options  Help
┌──────────────────┐ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1 1. New List Personal Data Set Lists List 1 of 1
2. Open Scroll ===> PAGE
3. Save As...
4. Delete... e As D=Delete E=Edit L=DSLIST U=UDLIST
5. Edit
6. DSLIST Description Created Referenced
7. UDLIST Last 30 referenced data sets 25/01/23 08:36
8. Exit
└──────────────────┘

Now you can fill in your dataset names - remembering to put quotes round them.

When you are done type 'S' in the Action entry field.

  File  View  Options  Help
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Personal Data Set List
New list
Command ===>

Enter a list action to perform or select a data set entry to retrieve.
Action: S=Save A=Save As D=Delete this list E=Extended Edit L=DSLIST U=UDLIST


Action Name Description Created Referenced
S
More: +
Select Data Set, DSLIST Level or z/OS UNIX file Volume WS
. 'GEMUSER.*'
. 'MQM940.SCSQPROC'
. 'MQM940.SCSQC370'
.
.

Now you can give your list a name and a description.

  File  View  Options  Help 
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ────────────────────────
Personal Data Set List Save As
C
List . . . . . GENERAL
E try to retrieve.
A Description . . My general list of datasets Edit L=DSLIST U=UDLIST

A d Referenced
S Enter a new list name and optionally a list
description. More: +
S Volume WS
. Press ENTER to save, EXIT to cancel Save as.
.
.
. PF 1=HELP 2=SPLIT 3=END 4=RETURN
. PF 5=RFIND 6=RCHANGE 7=UP 8=DOWN
. └─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Now your data set list is ready for use. I generally just type:

START DSLIST GENERAL

to start a new screen straight into my list of datasets.

Give it a go yourself - no need to have more than one 3.4 open any more!


Morag Hughson is an MQ expert. She spent 18 years in the MQ Devt organisation before taking on her current job writing MQ Technical education courses with MQGem. She also blogs for MQGem. You can connect with her here on the IBM Community or on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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