Using ISPF/PDF to Allocate Data Sets

Allocation in ISPF/PDF is different from allocation with the ALLOCATE command. In ISPF/PDF you use the ALLOCATE function to create a data set. Before a data set is created in ISPF/PDF, it cannot be accessed.

You can allocate a new data set while in ISPF/PDF by entering attribute information on panels. You cannot, however, associate the data set with a ddname. To allocate a data set and associate it with a ddname, use the ALLOCATE command.

To allocate a new data set, select the UTILITIES option (option 3) on the ISPF/PDF Primary Option Menu.

------------------------  ISPF/PDF PRIMARY OPTION MENU  ------------------------
OPTION ===> 3
                                                              USERID   - YOURID
    0  ISPF PARMS  - Specify terminal and user parameters     TIME     - 12:47
    1  BROWSE      - Display source data or output listings   TERMINAL - 3277
    2  EDIT        - Create or change source data             PF KEYS  - 12
    3  UTILITIES   - Perform utility functions
    4  FOREGROUND  - Invoke language processors in foreground
    5  BATCH       - Submit job for language processing
    6  COMMAND     - Enter TSO command or CLIST
    7  DIALOG TEST - Perform dialog testing
    8  LM UTILITIES- Perform library administrator utility functions
    9  IBM PRODUCTS- Additional IBM program development products
    C  CHANGES     - Display summary of changes for this release
    T  TUTORIAL    - Display information about ISPF/PDF
    X  EXIT        - Terminate ISPF using log and list defaults

Enter END command to terminate ISPF.

You then see the Utilities Selection Menu, which allows you to do many data set management tasks. To allocate a new data set, select the DATASET option (option 2).

--------------------------  UTILITY SELECTION MENU  ----------------------------
OPTION ===> 2

    1  LIBRARY     - Compress or print data set.  Print index listing.
                       Print, rename, delete, or browse members
    2  DATASET     - Allocate, rename, delete, catalog, uncatalog, or
                       display information of an entire data set
    3  MOVE/COPY   - Move, copy, or promote members or data sets
    4  DSLIST      - Print or display (to process) list of data set names
                       Print or display VTOC information
    5  RESET       - Reset statistics for members of ISPF library
    6  HARDCOPY    - Initiate hardcopy output
    8  OUTLIST     - Display, delete or print held job output
    9  COMMANDS    - Create/change an application command table
   10  CONVERT     - Convert old format messages/menu panels to new format
   11  FORMAT      - Format definition for formatted data Edit/Browse
   12  SUPERC      - Compare data sets (Standard dialog)
   13  SUPERCE     - Compare data sets (Extended dialog)
   14  SEARCH-FOR  - Search data sets for strings of data

The next panel you see, the Data Set Utility panel, allows you to specify an action and a data set name. To allocate a data set, type A on the OPTION line. Then specify the data set name in the three ISPF LIBRARY fields or in the DATA SET NAME field under OTHER PARTITIONED OR SEQUENTIAL DATA SET.