OPEN subcommand — prepare resources for use by IPCS

Use the OPEN subcommand to prepare one or more resources for use by IPCS. You can prepare:
  • One or more source data sets containing dumps or traces
  • Active storage, to be used as the source for IPCS processing
  • A print data set with the ddname IPCSPRNT or a substitute name
  • A table of contents (TOC) data set with the ddname IPCSTOC or a substitute name
See z/OS MVS IPCS User's Guidefor information about using the OPEN subcommand for the print and TOC data sets.
  • Syntax
        OPEN
               [ ACTIVE | MAIN | STORAGE          ]
               [ DSNAME(dslist) | DATASET(dslist) ]
               [ FILE(ddlist) | DDNAME(ddlist)    ]
               [ PATH(path-name ...)              ]
               [ DEFAULT ]
               [ CONDITIONALLY | UNCONDITIONALLY ]
               [ PRINT [(options) ] ]

    -------- SETDEF-Defined Parameter -------------------------
    Note: You can override the following SETDEF parameters.
    See SETDEF subcommand — set defaults.

               [ TEST | NOTEST ]
               [ CONFIRM | NOCONFIRM ]
  • Parameters
    ACTIVE or MAIN or STORAGE
    DSNAME(dslist) or DATASET(dslist)
    FILE(ddlist | IPCSDDIR) or DDNAME(ddlist)
    Specifies the source to be prepared for use. If one of these parameters in not specified, IPCS opens the current source. IPCS opens the data sets in the order in which they are specified in the OPEN subcommand.

    ACTIVE, MAIN, or STORAGE directs IPCS to prepare to access central storage as the source.

    DSNAME or DATASET specifies the name of one or more cataloged data sets to be opened.

    FILE or DDNAME specifies the ddname of one or more data sets to be opened.

    When specifying more than one data set or ddname, separate the names with commas or blanks. When specifying a range of ddnames, separate the first and last ddname with a colon.

    OPEN FILE(IPCSDDIR) indicates that you want to open the data set for your dump directory. You have to specify IPCSDDIR explicitly; specifying a range of ddnames does not include the dump directory. For further information about default values and restrictions for dump directories, see the CLOSE subcommand.

    PATH(path-name ...)
    Specifies one or more z/OS® UNIX file paths to be processed. The PATH(path-name ...) option permits a list of path names to be processed in addition to any ddnames and dsnames listed on the subcommand. Partially-qualified path names may be used.
    DEFAULT
    Specifies that the final source listed in the subcommand is to become the current source. If the subcommand specifies a data set name with a password, the data set name and password become the name of the current source.

    IPCS changes the current source in both the local and global defaults. If you omit this parameter, or if the subcommand fails, the current source is not changed in the defaults.

    CONDITIONALLY or UNCONDITIONALLY
    Determines how IPCS should handle a data set that is already open when the OPEN subcommand is processed.

    For CONDITIONALLY, IPCS does not issue messages about the data being open.

    For UNCONDITIONALLY, IPCS issues messages about the data set being open. UNCONDITIONALLY is the default.

    PRINT[(options)]
    Specifies the IPCS print data set. The syntax for options is as follows:
         [ FILE(ddname|IPCSPRNT  ]
         [ DDNAME(ddname|IPCSPRNT ]
         [ TITLE('text' ['time-stamp']) ]
         [ TOC(FILE(ddname|IPCSTOC)) ]
         [ CAPS        ]
         [ ASIS           ]
         [ CHARS(DUMP) ]
         [ DISP|EXTEND|REUSE   ]

    If you omit CAPS, ASIS or CHARS(DUMP), ASIS is the default.

    If the logical record length for the IPCS print data set will not accommodate the text of the title plus a time stamp and a page number, the text is truncated.

    FILE(ddname|IPCSPRNT) or DDNAME(ddname|IPCSPRNT)
    Specifies that the designated ddname be opened as the IPCS print data set. If this parameter is omitted, FILE(IPCSPRNT) is used.
    TITLE(text[time-stamp])
    Specifies the title of the dump. The text appears on each page produced from the IPCS print data set. Enclose the text in single quotation marks.

    If text is omitted, IPCS uses the title extracted from the default dump data set. When processing multiple dumps during a single session, IPCS uses the default titles for each new dump encountered.

    If IPCS cannot use the title from the default data set, but a userid is available, IPCS places on each page “IPCS PRINT LOG FOR userid” and the date and time that IPCS began problem analysis. If the userid is unavailable, “IPCS PRINT LOG” appears.

    Restriction: When using IPCS in the background, the title will not contain the phrase “FOR userid” unless you use the TSO/E TMP and specify a USER parameter in the JCL JOB statement.

    The time-stamp is the time that a problem occurred rather than the time that the problem analysis started.

    Enclose the time stamp in single quotation marks.

    If time-stamp is omitted, IPCS provides a date and time on the first line of each printed page indicating the time that the problem analysis started.

    TOC(FILE(ddname|IPCSTOC))
    Specifies that the data set be opened as the IPCS table of contents (TOC). If TOC is omitted, FILE(IPCSTOC) is used.
    Note: The TOC data set must be different from the PRINT data set in order for both data sets to contain the correct data.
    CAPS
    Directs IPCS to change lowercase EBCDIC letters to uppercase before writing each line to the print and table of contents data sets.
    ASIS
    Directs IPCS to write text exactly as entered (uppercase and lowercase letters) to the data sets.
    CHARS(DUMP)
    Directs IPCS to format any text transmitted to the data sets in the IBM® 3800 CHARS(DUMP) font. Use this option only for:
    • Data sent to the print or TOC data sets, or both
    • Data that has a data-type attribute of AREA
    Note: AREA is the IPCS default attribute parameter when a literal storage address is used and is the data-type associated with IPCS-defined symbols such as CSA.
    DISP|EXTEND|REUSE
    Permits an IPCS user, tailored dialogs, or command procedures to defer decision to overlay or extend a print file until a transaction that will use the file is requested.
    DISP
    Open the print and table of contents files with no attempt to influence positioning.
    EXTEND
    Requests that data management add additional records to the end of the print and table of contents files.
    REUSE
    Requests that data management reuse the print and table of contents files to contain new reports.
  • Return Codes

    See Standard subcommand return codes for a description of the return codes produced by the OPEN subcommand.

  • Example 1: Open the IPCS TOC data set.
    • Action
      COMMAND ===> open print (toc(file(mytoc)) caps)
    • Result

      File mytoc contains entries, which are written in uppercase.

  • Example 2: Open a print data set and give it a title.
    • Action
      COMMAND ===> open print (title ('A Troubled Dump' '12-07-81'))
    • Result

      ‘A Troubled Dump 12-07-81’ appears on each page of the IPCS default print data set (IPCSPRNT).