Data set naming conventions

No restrictions apply to the data set names you choose for CICS® data sets, other than z/OS® constraints.

To learn about the rules and constraints for z/OS data set names, see DSNAME parameter in the z/OS MVS JCL Reference.

In the examples in this information, hlq is the high-level qualifier, and the DD name is the lowest level. If you are running multiple CICS regions, you can use the CICS APPLID as a third-level qualifier.

The CTGI naming convention is an example of a naming convention that you can use for CICS 4-character names, and is based on the 4-character CTGI symbol:
  • C identifies an entire CICSplex.
  • T identifies the type of region.
  • G identifies a group of regions.
  • I identifies iterations of regions in a group.
Use the CTGI naming convention. For example, if CICSHTH1 is the APPLID, the following data set name for the CICS system definition data set (CSD) is correct: 
DFHCSD   DD  DSN=CICSTS56.CICS.CICSHTH1.DFHCSD,DISP=SHR

Where names are allowed to be up to eight characters long, as for CICS APPLIDs, the letters CICS are used for the first four characters, particularly for production regions.