Patterns
In a number of commands and fields where a name can be entered, Data Set Commander also accepts a
pattern. For example, in MSL, when a line command is entered as a main command, a pattern can be
used instead of a member name, so that the command acts on all names matching the pattern. A pattern
contains one or more wildcard characters, which allow it to match more than one name. The wildcard
characters are the percent sign (%
) and the asterisk *
. Any character in the data in
the same position as a percent sign is considered to match it. (A blank in the data is not
considered to match.) Any number of characters from the position of the asterisk to the right are
considered to match the asterisk. The asterisk can be in any position. Trailing blanks match the
asterisk. In addition, the underscore character (_
) is used to indicate a blank space.
(Although blank spaces cannot appear in some fields, such as the member name field in an MSL, they
can appear in the PROMPT column of an MSL, where the feedback messages appear,
and in load module attribute fields.)
The following examples illustrate how patterns work:
| Pattern | Contents of Field | Match | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEMO%0 |
DEMO10
DEMOZ0 DEMO DEMO |
YES
YES NO NO |
Nothing in position 5 Last character not 0 |
| AB%D* |
ABCD
ABCDE AB1D234 AB ABC ABBB |
YES
YES YES NO NO NO |
Nothing in position 3 Position 4 not D Position 4 not D |
| AB% |
ABC
AB1 AB ABCD BBB |
YES
YES NO NO NO |
Nothing in position 3 More than three characters Position 1 not A |
| * | ABCDEFG | YES | Matches any name |
| % | A | YES | Matches any single-character name |
| _ | (empty) | YES | |
| A_C |
A C
ABC |
YES
NO |
Position 2 not blank |
| AB_ |
AB
ABC |
YES
NO |
Position 3 not blank |
| A*C |
ABC
AC BC AB |
YES
YES NO NO |
Does not start with A Does not start with C |
| *A*B |
AB
$ABC ABEND A23B4 CCBD ZAREA |
YES
YES YES YES NO NO |
No Ain string preceding B No Bin string following A |