This
topic covers
the following
subtopics.
This topic explains
how to define VSAM data sets. Other topics provide examples and related
information:
VSAM data sets are defined using either access method services
commands or JCL dynamic allocation. A summary of defining a VSAM data
sets follows:
- VSAM data
sets must be cataloged. If you want to use a new catalog, use access
method services commands to create a catalog. The procedure for defining
a catalog is described in z/OS DFSMS Managing Catalogs.
- Define a VSAM data
set in a catalog using the TSO ALLOCATE command, the access method
services ALLOCATE or DEFINE CLUSTER command, dynamic allocation, or
JCL. Before you can define a VSAM data set with dynamic allocation
or JCL, SMS must be active on your system. Dynamic allocation and
JCL do not support most of the DEFINE options available with access
method services.
- Load the data set with either
the access method services REPRO command or your own loading program.
- Optionally,
define any alternate indexes and relate them to the base cluster.
Use the access method services DEFINE ALTERNATEINDEX, DEFINE PATH,
and BLDINDEX commands to do this.
After
any of these steps, you can use the access method services LISTCAT
and PRINT commands to verify what has been defined, loaded, or processed.
The LISTCAT and PRINT commands are useful for identifying and correcting
problems.