Program objects are created automatically when load modules are copied into a PDSE. Likewise, program objects are automatically converted back to load modules when they are copied into a partitioned data set. Note that some program objects cannot be converted into load modules because they use features of program objects that do not exist in load modules.

IEBCOPY is not able to directly convert between program objects and load modules when loading or unloading a PDSE or partitioned data set. A load operation can only reload load modules into partitioned data sets or reload program objects into a PDSE. Unloading a partitioned data set can only place load modules into the unload data set. Similarly, unloading a PDSE can only place program objects into the unload data set.

Therefore, to convert an unloaded load module into a program object, reload the load module into a partitioned data set and then copy the partitioned data set to a PDSE. To convert a program object into an unloaded load module, copy the PDSE to a partitioned data set and then unload the partitioned data set.

If your partitioned data set contains both load modules and data members, then you will have to convert the partitioned data set into two separate PDSEs - one for program objects and the second for data members.

Related reading: For more information about differences between program objects and load modules, see z/OS MVS Program Management: User's Guide and Reference .