Allocating data sets

Allocating a data set creates a file on the remote system. You can create partitioned data sets (PDS), libraries (PDSE), version 2 libraries (PDSEv2), and sequential data sets.

  • You must be connected to the remote system and working in the Remote Systems view.
  • Ensure that the name of data set that you are working with contains at least two qualifiers such as NEW.JCL. Otherwise, errors might occur.
You can use the New Data Set wizard to allocate the following data set types:
  • Partitioned data set
  • Partitioned data set extended (PDSE)
  • Partitioned data set extended version 2 (PDSEv2)
  • Sequential data set
These instructions provide general information about using this wizard to allocate data sets. For more information about a specific data set type, see the related topics or the context-sensitive help for the wizard.
Fast path: If you have files on the local system, you can quickly add them to a partitioned data set or allocate a sequential data set by doing one of these steps:
  • To add a file to a partitioned data set, drag it from the local system to a partitioned data set name on the remote system. The Rename Resource window opens so that you can specify the member name.
  • To allocate a sequential data set for a local file, drag it from the local system to a filter in the MVS Files subsystem. The Rename Resource window opens so that you can specify the data set name, and the New Data Set wizard opens so that you can specify data set characteristics.
  1. Select the MVS Files subsystem in the Remote Systems view. 1
    • In the Remote Systems view, expand the remote system where you want to allocate the data set and select MVS Files.
  2. Right-click and select New > Allocate Partitioned Data Set or New > Allocate Sequential Data Set.
    Tip: You can also press Ctrl+1 to allocate a partitioned data set or Ctrl+2 to allocate a sequential data set.
    The New Data Set wizard opens. The remainder of these instructions uses a partitioned data set as an example.
  3. On the Allocate Partitioned Data Set page:
    1. In the Connection name field, select a remote system connection. The default value is the connection from which you opened the wizard.
    2. In the Data set name field, select or type the high-level qualifier for the data set from the list and then type the name that follows the combination of high-level qualifier and dot (.) character.
      For example, if the high-level qualifier is MYFILES and if you want to allocate the data set MYFILES.TEST.COBOL, type the string TEST.COBOL in the field.
    3. Click Next.
  4. On the Data Set Allocation page, select an option to indicate how to begin specifying allocation values such as record format, record length, and block size.
    • To use the same data set characteristics as an existing data set, select Copy characteristics from an existing data set, and then click Browse. Select a data set, and then click OK.
    • To use a defined set of characteristics, select Specify characteristics by usage type, and then select a value from these lists:
      • From the Category list, choose how the data is to be used: Source, Listing, or Other.
      • From the Type list, choose a language: ASM, C/C++, COBOL, JCL, PLI, or REXX.
    • To specify custom data set characteristics, select Specify characteristics (advanced allocation).
  5. Optional: Click Next.
    The Data Set Characteristics page opens. It displays the set of data set characteristics that you selected on the Data Set Allocation page:
    • For an existing data set: the data set characteristics of the existing data set.
    • For usage type: the data set characteristics defined for the selected usage type.
    • For advanced allocation: the values that were used for the previous data set allocation.
  6. Optional: Specify data set characteristics.
    • For more information about the fields on this window, see Data set characteristics.
    • For information about the values that are required for different uses, contact your z/OS® system administrator. That administrator can also inform you whether you must click System Managed Storage to assign a data set to a particular class.
    • The product enforces certain rules for record format (RECFM), record length (LRECL), and block size (BLKSIZE). For more information about these rules, see Data set allocation rules.
  7. Click Finish.
    The data set is allocated and added to the Retrieved Data Sets filter.
1 For IDz users, you can also select an MVS™ subproject in the z/OS Projects view.
2 For IDz users, the MVS Files subsystem Properties view also displays the following information:
Property Group Name
The name of the property group that is associated with the subsystem.
Property Group Overrides
Whether any values in the property group were overridden: Yes or No.