Retrieving data sets

Use the Retrieve Data Set action to find and add data sets to the MVS™ Files subsystem.

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.
The Retrieve Data Set window searches the MVS Files subsystem for data sets that match a search string that you enter. This function is similar to, but not identical to, the ISPF option 3.4, Data Set List Utility. The following list shows some of the differences between Retrieve Data Set and ISPF 3.4:
  • Retrieve Data Set does not show data sets that are in the catalog but not on the volume.
  • Retrieve Data Set shows VSAM clusters, but does not show their index and data components, or their alternate index, data components, or path. The Properties view for VSAM clusters shows the index, data components, alternate index, and path.
  • Retrieve Data Set shows generation data groups under the Retrieved Data Sets filter. Generation data sets are shown under their respective generation data groups.
  • The wildcard character * functions differently in the Retrieve Data Set window and ISPF. In the Retrieve Data Set window, an * in a search string can cross qualifier boundaries. The search string USERID.*O*, for example, matches both USERID.LOAD and USERID.TEST.COBOL in the Retrieve Data Set window, but matches only USERID.LOAD in ISPF 3.4.
  1. In the Remote Systems view, select MVS Files and then select Retrieve Data Set from the menu or press Ctrl+R.
    You can also open this window by selecting any of the following Remote System view resources and pressing Ctrl+R: any MVS file filter, a sequential or partitioned data set, or a data set member.
    The Retrieve Data Set window opens. If you complete previous searches, the last search pattern that is used is shown in the window.
  2. Type a data set name pattern to search for and press Enter.
    Matching data sets are listed in the window. The sort order for matches is determined by the Sort Order for Data Sets > Remote Systems view setting on the MVS Files preference page. The window also displays the number of matches.
  3. Optional: You can type a new search pattern to update the list of matches.
    If you type an invalid data set name pattern, for example, or if you receive many matches, you can retype or refine the search pattern to try the search again or narrow down the list of matches.
  4. Optional: To find a member of a partitioned data set, select a partitioned data set name from the data set list and then click the Find Member link or press Ctrl+F.
    The Find Member window opens. You can use this window to add a partitioned data set to the Retrieved Data Sets filter and highlight the member name, or to open the member in an editor. For more information about using the Find Member window, see the related links.
  5. Optional: To save the search pattern or selected data sets to a new filter:
    1. Optional: Select one or more data sets from the list. To select multiple data sets, hold down the Ctrl key while you select them.
    2. Click Add these matches to a new filter.
      If you select more than one data set, the New Filter window opens.
    3. Type a name for the new filter and click OK.
  6. Optional: To restrict search on additional qualifiers:
    1. Right-click MVS Files, and then click Retrieve Data Sets….
    2. In the Retrieve Data Sets window:
      • To include additional qualifiers, select the Include additional qualifiers check box.
      • To exclude additional qualifiers, clear the Include additional qualifiers check box.
  7. Select one or more data sets and click OK.
    The data sets are added to the Retrieved data sets icon Retrieved Data Sets filter in the MVS Files subsystem and the first selected data set is highlighted in the view. If you selected Add these matches to a new filter, all matching data sets are added to the new filter and the first selected data set is highlighted there.
    Note: Retrieved data sets icon Retrieved Data Sets is a system-controlled filter. By default, it shows the last 10 data sets found by the Retrieve Data Set action or added by using the allocate actions. Its unique status is indicated visually by a unique icon: a filter icon that is superimposed with a pushpin. The only way to populate Retrieved Data Sets is by using the Retrieve Data Set window or by using the allocate actions. You cannot rename or delete Retrieved Data Sets, but you can remove data sets from it and change the number of data sets that are shown in it. To add search results to a filter that you can rename or delete, use the Add these matches to a new filter option.
  8. To remove a data set from Retrieved data sets icon Retrieved Data Sets, select one or more data sets, right-click, and select Remove from the menu.
1 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.