Decide whether to merge data sets

During a ServerPac or SystemPac (dump-by-data-set format) installation you can merge data sets while you modify the shipped order's configuration. This makes it possible to consolidate data sets that are used in the same ways. For example, you might merge ISPF panel libraries to create a smaller number of panel libraries. The merged data set configuration remains available for your use during subsequent installations.The CustomPac Installation Dialog allows IBM® candidate data sets to be merged into the user-defined target data set.

The CustomPac Installation Dialog shows the data sets that are eligible for merging with a data set that you select. Not all data sets can be merged, however. The LPA and link list attributes must be compatible. In addition, the Dialog allows you to merge data sets only when they share all of the following attributes with the target data set:

Same record format (RECFM)
Same logical record size (LRECL)
Same data set type (DLIB or target library)
A data set organization of PO (DSORG=PO).

The candidate list is merely a reflection of the merge rules; you should not simply merge all eligible data sets. Instead, base your merge decisions on logical groupings and similarity of content (for example, all panel libraries).

If a CBPDO installation is chosen, you can follow the same merge rules used in the CustomPac Installation Dialog when installing a ServerPac or SystemPac. You must not merge any data sets that contain like-named members or aliases. For example, SFOMOBJ and SCLBCPP are the two libraries that cannot be merged together.