SETDEF subcommand — set defaults

Use the SETDEF subcommand to set, change, and display your default values for certain parameters on IPCS subcommands. You can run SETDEF at any time during an IPCS session to display your default values. To set or change the value for a default, enter a SETDEF subcommand with the parameter and its new value. IPCS uses the new default value for both your current session and any subsequent sessions in which you use the same user dump directory, until you change the value. SETDEF sets two types of default values:
  • Local defaults. These values are currently in use for an ISPF screen in the IPCS dialog, for a batch IPCS session, or for an IPCS interactive line-mode session.
  • Global defaults. These values are used to establish the local defaults when IPCS processing starts in an ISPF screen, a batch IPCS session, or an IPCS interactive line-mode session.
    Your global defaults are obtained from the dump directory being used. IPCS uses as the global defaults the following, in this order:
    1. The last value specified as a global default in a SETDEF subcommand or on the IPCS Default Values panel in the IPCS dialog.
    2. The value in the IPCSPRxx parmlib member
    3. The IBM-supplied value

The IBM-supplied values for global SETDEF-defined defaults are shown inFigure 1.

Figure 1. IBM-supplied values for global SETDEF-defined defaults
/*-------------- Default Values for IPCS subcommands -------------*/
SETDEF NOPRINT  TERMINAL NOPDS       /* Routing of displays            */
SETDEF FLAG(WARNING)                 /* Optional diagnostic messages   */
SETDEF   CONFIRM                     /* Double-checking major acts     */
SETDEF NOTEST                        /* IPCS application testing       */
SETDEF NODSNAME                      /* No data set name               */
SETDEF LENGTH(4)                     /* Default data length            */
SETDEF   VERIFY                      /* Optional dumping of data       */
SETDEF DISPLAY(NOMACHINE)            /* Include storage keys, ....     */
SETDEF DISPLAY(  REMARK)             /* Include remark text            */
SETDEF DISPLAY(  REQUEST)            /* Include model LIST subcommand  */
SETDEF DISPLAY(NOSTORAGE)            /* Include contents of storage    */
SETDEF DISPLAY(  SYMBOL)             /* Include associated symbol      */
SETDEF DISPLAY(  ALIGN)              /* Align output to byte           */

ASID and CPU, the address processing parameters, are not listed and are null until you specify a source data set or storage. SETDEF rejects any attempt to set these values before you specify a source. When you specify a source and access it with any of the analysis subcommands, that subcommand sets your local default address processing value to describe an address space contained in that data set or storage.

When you specify a source data set or storage on a SETDEF subcommand, your next analysis subcommand causes IPCS to initialize the specified source data set or storage.

If all parameters on a SETDEF subcommand are valid, IPCS sets the specified values. However, if IPCS rejects any parameter, the subcommand ends without IPCS changing any values.

Many subcommands can override a current local default by specifying a SETDEF parameter and value. For each subcommand, the SETDEF-defined parameters are grouped in the syntax diagram, thereby identifying the SETDEF-defined parameters that apply specifically to the subcommand. These overriding values apply only to the subcommand, are not saved in your user dump directory, and are not retrieved by an EVALDEF subcommand.
  • Syntax
      {SETDEF }   [ LIST | NOLIST ]
      {SETD   }
    
                  [ LOCAL   ]
                  [ GLOBAL  ]

    -------- SETDEF-Defined Parameters --------------------------

                  [ address-processing-parameters ]
                  [ ACTIVE | MAIN | STORAGE          ]
                  [ DSNAME(dsname) | DATASET(dsname) ]
                  [ FILE(ddname) | DDNAME(ddname)    ]
                  [ NODSNAME | NODATASET             ]
                  [ PATH(path-name)     ]
                  [ CONFIRM | NOCONFIRM ]
                  [ DISPLAY[(display-options)]   ]
                  [ NODISPLAY[(display-options)] ]
                  [ FLAG(severity) ]
                  [ LENGTH(length) ]
                  [ PRINT | NOPRINT ]
                  [ PDS | NOPDS ] 
                  [ TERMINAL | NOTERMINAL ]
                      [ TEST | NOTEST ]
                  [ VERIFY | NOVERIFY ]
  • Parameters
    LIST or NOLIST
    Specifies whether IPCS is to display all of your local and global default values. LIST requests IPCS to display the values at your terminal, regardless of the current value for the TERMINAL parameter. NOLIST specifies that IPCS is not to display the values.

    If you enter SETDEF without any parameters, the default is LIST. If you omit LIST and NOLIST but specify any other parameter, the default is NOLIST.

    LOCAL
    Specifies local default values:
    • If LIST is also specified, IPCS lists your local default values.
    • If LIST is not also specified, IPCS changes any local default to the value specified on this SETDEF subcommand. Your global default values are not changed.
    GLOBAL
    Specifies global default values:
    • If LIST is also specified, IPCS lists your global default values.
    • If LIST is not also specified, IPCS changes any global default to the value specified on this SETDEF subcommand. Your local default values are not changed; also, these new global values do not override any local default values currently being used.

    If you omit or specify both LOCAL and GLOBAL, IPCS lists or changes both local and global default values.

  • SETDEF-Defined Parameters
    Default values for the following parameters are defined and shipped with IPCS. Your default values are kept in your dump directory. To change your defaults, enter a SETDEF subcommand with your own values for the parameters.
    address-processing-parameter
    Specifies address processing values, which are a part of the data description (data-descr) parameter. Address processing parameters explains how to specify address processing parameters. Data description parameter explains the use and syntax of the data description parameter.

    ASID(X‘0000’) and CPU(0) are the IPCS-defined defaults.

    CONFIRM or NOCONFIRM
    Specifies if certain subcommands are to request confirmation before performing their function. CONFIRM requests your confirmation before:
    • Deleting a problem
    • Dissociating and scratching a data set
    • Modifying a data set's attributes, if the data set is associated with more than one problem
    • Accessing summary dump data during dump initialization
    The subcommands affected by CONFIRM are:
    • Any subcommand that starts initializing a dump that contains summary dump data.

    NOCONFIRM does not request your confirmation before running these subcommands. When NOCONFIRM is specified, IPCS uses summary dump data.

    CONFIRM is the IPCS-defined default.

    ACTIVE or MAIN or STORAGE
    DSNAME(dsname) or DATASET(dsname)
    FILE(ddname) or DDNAME(ddname)
    NODATASET or NODSNAME
    Specifies the source. If one of these parameters is not specified, the IPCS-defined default is NODSNAME.

    ACTIVE, MAIN, or STORAGE specifies the central storage for the address space in which IPCS is currently running and allows you to access that active storage as the dump source. You can access private storage and any common storage accessible by an unauthorized program.

    You might use one of these parameters to, for instance:
    • Display individual control blocks and examine how they are chained within the executing IPCS address space
    • Compare system control blocks (such as the CVT) that were formatted in a dump data set with system control blocks that are currently being used in the IPCS address space
    • Examine a field in the read-only nucleus that does not appear in a dump report
    • Diagnose an error in IPCS processing
    You should not use these parameters for:
    • Volatile common or private storage
    • Prefixed storage

    If IPCS is running as an MVS™ system migration aid, IPCS rejects these parameters.

    IPCS does not create a storage map when this parameter is entered. IPCS does maintain a symbol table but limits its automatic creation of symbols into the table.

    DSNAME or DATASET specifies the source with the name of a cataloged data set. If the data set is password protected, also specify the password. If you omit the password and it is required, IPCS prompts you for it.

    IPCS dynamically allocates and opens the data set when it is first accessed. When an IPCS session completes, IPCS dynamically closes and releases the data set, restoring the data set to its status before being accessed.

    FILE or DDNAME specifies the source with the ddname of a data set. The data set can reside on tape or a direct access storage device (DASD). If the data set is password protected, IPCS ignores the password.

    The data control block (DCB) attributes (BLKSIZE, DSORG, KEYLEN, LRECL, and RECFM) designated when the data set was defined override the following:
    • For DASD data sets, these attributes in the data set control block (DSCB)
    • For data sets on standard-labeled tapes, these attributes on the tape label
    IPCS opens the data set when it is first accessed and closes the data set, restoring it to its original status. However, IPCS does not allocate or deallocate (release) the data set. The data set must be allocated before being requested in a FILE or DDNAME parameter on an IPCS subcommand. To allocate the data set, enter a TSO/E ALLOCATE command or the appropriate JCL statement before using the subcommand. To deallocate the data set, enter a TSO/E FREE UNALLOC command or use the parameter FREE=CLOSE on the JCL DD statement.
    Note: IPCS processing does not allow the concatenation of data sets.

    NODATASET or NODSNAME specifies that the subcommand is to set the source name in the local or global defaults to a null value. If you do not specify a source, the null value remains in effect.

    DISPLAY[(display-options)]
    NODISPLAY[(nodisplay-options)]
    Specifies if the source is to be displayed or not. DISPLAY, entered alone, requests that all parts of a dump be displayed. It is equivalent to entering
    DISPLAY(MACHINE REMARK REQUEST STORAGE SYMBOL ALIGN)

    DISPLAY, entered with one or more display-options, selects parts of a source to be displayed.

    NODISPLAY, entered alone, is the same as DISPLAY(REQUEST). It is equivalent to entering:
    DISPLAY(NOMACHINE NOREMARK REQUEST NOSTORAGE NOSYMBOL NOALIGN)
    NODISPLAY entered with one or more values, suppresses (or selects) parts of a display.
    Note: If VERIFY is specified or defaulted, and the NODISPLAY parameter is also specified, a conflict exists. In this case, IPCS responds as if you had entered DISPLAY(REQUEST).

    DISPLAY(NOMACHINE REMARK REQUEST NOSTORAGE SYMBOL ALIGN) are the IPCS-defined defaults.

    The DISPLAY and NODISPLAY parameter options and their meanings are:
     { DISPLAY   } [ ( MACHINE | NOMACHINE ) ]
     { NODISPLAY }
                   [ ( REMARK | NOREMARK ) ]
                   [ ( REQUEST | NOREQUEST ) ]
                   [ ( STORAGE | NOSTORAGE ) ]
                   [ ( SYMBOL | NOSYMBOL ) ]
                   [ ( ALIGN | NOALIGN ) ]
    MACHINE or NOMACHINE
    MACHINE displays the address processing parameters, address, storage key, and absolute address of the data area being displayed. DISPLAY(MACHINE) and NODISPLAY(NOMACHINE) request this data.

    For information about storage key values, see the section "Storage Key"in Chapter 3 of z/Architecture® Principles of Operation.

    NOMACHINE suppresses the address processing parameters, address, storage key, and absolute address of the data area being displayed. DISPLAY(NOMACHINE) and NODISPLAY(MACHINE) suppress it.

    REMARK or NOREMARK
    REMARK displays the remark associated with a symbol requested by the SYMBOL value. DISPLAY(REMARK) and NODISPLAY(NOREMARK) request this data.
    NOREMARK suppresses the remark associated with a symbol requested by the SYMBOL value. DISPLAY(NOREMARK) and NODISPLAY(REMARK) suppress it.
    Note: If both NOREMARK and SYMBOL are selected, IPCS displays as much of the remark text as possible on the same line as the symbol with which the remark is associated.
    REQUEST or NOREQUEST
    REQUEST displays a model LIST subcommand that is used to display the information you requested. The LIST subcommand parameters include the data description parameters you specify and other relevant default parameters (for example, CPU is relevant only for multiprocessor dumps, REMARK is never relevant).

    To modify the attributes of the displayed data, modify the parameters on the model LIST subcommand and run it. DISPLAY(REQUEST) and NODISPLAY(NOREQUEST) request this data.

    NOREQUEST suppresses the model LIST subcommand. DISPLAY(NOREQUEST) and NODISPLAY(REQUEST) suppress it unless no data is requested. In that case, IPCS forces the DISPLAY(REQUEST) option into effect.

    STORAGE or NOSTORAGE
    STORAGE displays the storage at the specified or default address, for the specified or default length. The subcommand displays the storage as in a printed dump: four words in hexadecimal followed by the EBCDIC equivalent. DISPLAY(STORAGE) and NODISPLAY(NOSTORAGE) request this data.

    NOSTORAGE suppresses the storage display. DISPLAY(NOSTORAGE) and NODISPLAY(STORAGE) suppress it.

    SYMBOL or NOSYMBOL
    SYMBOL displays the symbol (if any) associated with the dump data displayed. DISPLAY(SYMBOL) and NODISPLAY(NOSYMBOL) request this storage.

    NOSYMBOL suppresses the symbol associated with the dump data displayed. DISPLAY(NOSYMBOL) and NODISPLAY(SYMBOL) suppress it.

    ALIGN or NOALIGN
    ALIGN displays the storage for LIST output for AREA, STRUCTURE, BIT, and CHAR pointers aligned to a previous double word boundary. For example, IP LIST 3. generates this:
    LIST 03. ASID(X'0024') LENGTH(X'1000') AREA
    00000003.       00 000130E1 00000000 00000000 |   .............|
    00000010. 00FD9A48 00000000 7FFFF000 7FFFF000 |........".0.".0.|
    00000020. 7FFFF000 7FFFF000 7FFFF000 7FFFF000 |".0.".0.".0.".0.|
    NOALIGN displays the storage for LIST output for AREA, STRUCTURE, BIT, and CHAR pointers aligned to the requested bit boundary. For example, IP LIST 3. formats the same storage as this:
    LIST 03. ASID(X'0024') LENGTH(X'1000') AREA
    00000003. 00000130 E1000000 00000000 0000FD9A |................|
    00000013. 48000000 007FFFF0 007FFFF0 007FFFF0 |.....".0.".0.".0|
    00000023. 007FFFF0 007FFFF0 007FFFF0 00000000 |.".0.".0.".0....|
    FLAG(severity)
    Specifies that IPCS subcommands eliminate some problem analysis diagnostic messages based upon the severity of the problem indicated by the message. Use FLAG to make a report easier to read by eliminating some messages. The following messages can be suppressed with FLAG:
    • Messages produced by IPCS services during the production of a report, but are not part of the report itself. For example, you can suppress the following message with FLAG(TERMINATING):
      BLS22020I ASCBASCB not equal C'ASCB'

      Although FLAG can make a report easier to read, it may eliminate useful information. For example, message BLS22020I may help you to understand why a report does not contain information you expected and may help you locate a storage overlay condition that requires further analysis.

    • Messages produced by an IPCS CLIST or REXX exec. For example, you can suppress the following message:
      BLS18104I Symbol xxx not found

      Again, FLAG can make a report easier to read, but it may eliminate useful information. The author of a CLIST or REXX exec may use FLAG on FIND and NOTE subcommands to make message suppression and transmission conditional.

    Messages that do not detract from the legibility of a report are generally not affected by the FLAG value.

    The FLAG severity parameters and the messages transmitted follow. WARNING is the IPCS-defined default.
                  FLAG  { (ERROR)            }
                        { (INFORMATIONAL)    }
                        { (SERIOUS | SEVERE) }
                        { (TERMINATING)      }
                        { (WARNING)          }
    ERROR
    Transmits ERROR, SERIOUS (SEVERE), and TERMINATING messages and suppresses INFORMATIONAL and WARNING messages. Error messages describe control blocks or data that point to incorrect control blocks or data.
    INFORMATIONAL
    Transmits all messages to your terminal.
    SERIOUS or SEVERE
    Transmits SERIOUS (SEVERE) and TERMINATING messages and suppresses INFORMATIONAL, WARNING, and ERROR messages. Serious or severe messages describe control blocks or data that are not valid.
    TERMINATING
    Transmits only TERMINATING messages and suppresses INFORMATIONAL, WARNING, ERROR, and SERIOUS (SEVERE) messages.
    WARNING
    Transmits WARNING, ERROR, SERIOUS (SEVERE), and TERMINATING messages and suppresses INFORMATIONAL messages. WARNING messages describe unusual conditions that are not necessarily wrong but might indicate errors.
    LENGTH(length)
    Specifies the length of the storage area to be used by dump analysis subcommands. The length may be 1 through 231 bytes and may be specified in decimal (nnn), hexadecimal (X'nnn'), or binary (B'nnn') notation. LENGTH(4) is the IPCS-defined default.
    PRINT or NOPRINT
    Specifies whether a subcommand's output is to be sent to the print data set, IPCSPRNT. PRINT sends the subcommand's output to the print data set. Note that IPCS always sends certain non-report type messages to your terminal or the TSO/E SYSTSPRT data set.

    NOPRINT suppresses sending output to the print data set. NOPRINT is the IPCS-defined default.

    PDS or NOPDS
    Specifies whether a subcommand output is to be sent to a member of the defined partitioned data set (PDS), allocated by ddname IPCSPDS. PDS sends the subcommand output to the defined member of PDS. The defined member of PDS means that the name of this member will be equivalent to the name of the used IPCS subcommand. Note that IPCS always sends certain non-report type messages to your terminal or the TSO/E SYSTSPRT data set.

    NOPDS suppresses sending output to the PDS.NOPDS is the IPCS-defined default.

    TERMINAL or NOTERMINAL
    Specifies whether a subcommand's output is to be sent to your terminal or, for a batch job, to the TSO/E SYSTSPRT data set.

    TERMINAL sends the subcommand's output to your terminal in an interactive IPCS session and to the TSO/E SYSTSPRT data set if IPCS is being run in a batch job.

    NOTERMINAL suppresses sending output. However, if NOPRINT is also in effect, all IPCS subcommands, except the SUMMARY subcommand, override the NOTERMINAL option and send their output as if the TERMINAL option had been specified. NOTERMINAL is the IPCS-defined default.

    Note: You may want to use the SETDEF subcommand to set the defaults to NOTERMINAL and NOPRINT. When these defaults are in effect, you need to specify only the PRINT parameter on a subcommand to send its output to the print data set, but not to the terminal. In contrast, with the standard defaults of NOPRINT and TERMINAL, the same subcommand with PRINT sends its output to both destinations. Both PRINT and NOTERMINAL are needed to selectively send output to only the print data set.

    See Table 1 for a summary of the output possibilities.

    TEST or NOTEST
    Specifies if IPCS is supporting testing of IPCS code or is being used to analyze problem data. TEST places IPCS in a mode designed to support interactive testing of code that operates in the IPCS environment. It is not recommended that you use this mode for any other purpose.

    If you anticipate an abnormal ending while testing a new exit routine written to function in the environment provided by the ASCBEXIT, TCBEXIT, or VERBEXIT subcommands and you want to use TSO/E TEST facilities to isolate the cause of any problems, you should specify the TEST parameter. When TEST is in effect, IPCS allows the TMP, the TSO/E TEST ESTAI functions, or both, to gain control when an abnormal ending occurs.

    TEST mode also activates error-detection functions that have been developed to isolate dump data examination problems. Detected errors cause IPCS to abend, so that problems may be trapped close to the point of error.

    NOTEST places IPCS in the production mode of operation. Automatic error recovery is attempted should errors occur in the IPCS environment.

    When the NOTEST parameter is in effect, IPCS automatically recovers from most abnormal endings without permitting TSO/E TEST to gain control. NOTEST is the IPCS-defined default.

    VERIFY or NOVERIFY
    Specifies whether subsequent subcommands are to produce output and send it to the destination or destinations specified by the PRINT and TERMINAL parameters.

    VERIFY specifies that subcommands should produce output and send it. VERIFY is the IPCS-defined default.

    NOVERIFY specifies that subsequent subcommands are not to produce output or send it anywhere, regardless of the PRINT and TERMINAL parameters.

  • Return Codes

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

  • Example: Change the IPCS-defined defaults.
    • Action: COMMAND ===> setd dsn('d4.dmp.svc20') asid(X'0008') list
    • Result: IPCS produces the output shown in Figure 2 .
      Figure 2. Example: results of changing IPCS-defined values
      /*------------ Default Values for IPCS Subcommands ---------------*/
      SETDEF NOPRINT  TERMINAL NOPDS       /* Routing of displays            */
      SETDEF FLAG(WARNING)                 /* Optional diagnostic messages   */
      SETDEF   CONFIRM                     /* Double-checking major acts     */
      SETDEF NOTEST                        /* IPCS application testing       */
      SETDEF   DSNAME('D4.DMP.SVC20')
      SETDEF LENGTH(4)                     /* Default data length            */
      SETDEF   VERIFY                      /* Optional dumping of data       */
      SETDEF DISPLAY(NOMACHINE)            /* Include storage keys, ....     */
      SETDEF DISPLAY(  REMARK)             /* Include remark text            */
      SETDEF DISPLAY(  REQUEST)            /* Include model LIST subcommand  */
      SETDEF DISPLAY(NOSTORAGE)            /* Include contents of storage    */
      SETDEF DISPLAY(  SYMBOL)             /* Include associated symbol      */
      SETDEF ASID(X'0008')                 /* Default address space          */