To use a data set, you first allocate it (establish a link to it),
then access the data using macros for the access method that you have chosen.
The allocation of a data set means either or both of two things:
- To set aside (create) space for a new data set on a disk.
- To establish a logical link between a job step and any data set.
You can allocate a data set using ISPF panel option 3.2. Other ways to
allocate a data set include the following methods:
- Access method services
- You can allocate data sets through a multifunction services program called
access method services. Access method services include commonly used commands
for working with data sets, as ALLOCATE, ALTER, DELETE, and PRINT.
- ALLOCATE
- You can use the TSO ALLOCATE command to create data sets. The command
actually guides you through the allocation values that you must specify.
- ISPF menus
- One menu guides the user through allocation of a data set.
- JCL
- You can use specific job control language (JCL) statements to allocate
data sets.