Defining a generation data group

You can define a new generation data group (GDG) from the Remote Systems view.

You must be connected to a z/OS® system.

To define a new generation data group in the Remote Systems view:

  1. Select MVS Files and then click New > Define Generation Data Group on the menu.
    The Define Generation Data Group window opens.
  2. Complete the fields on this window as follows:
    Connection Name
    Shows the name of the remote system to which you are connected.
    Generation Data Group Name
    Specify a name for the GDG. You can select or type a high-level qualifier in the list. Type the data set name in the entry field.
    Limit
    Specify the maximum number, 1 - 255, of generation data sets (GDS) that can be associated with the GDG.
    Empty
    Specifies the action to be taken for the catalog entries for the GDG base when the number of generation data sets in the GDG base is equal to the limit value and another GDS is to be cataloged. The disposition of the actual data sets uncataloged from the GDG base is determined by the setting of the Scratch parameter for the GDG base. If the Empty option is selected, all GDS entries are removed from GDG base when you create a new GDS causes the GDG limit to be exceeded. Otherwise, only the oldest GDS entry is removed.
    Scratch
    Specifies the action to be taken for a GDS when the data set is uncataloged from the GDG base as a result of empty processing. If the flag is selected, the GDS is deleted from all disks it occupies when uncataloged from the GDG base, regardless of whether it is SMS-managed or not. Otherwise, if the data set is a non-SMS managed data set it is not removed from any of the volumes it occupies, and if the data set is an SMS-managed data set it is recataloged as a non-VSAM data set, and is no longer associated with the GDG base. It is not deleted from any of the SMS-managed volumes it occupies.
    Owner
    Identify the generation data set's owner. If this parameter is not specified, the user ID is the default owner ID.
    Days
    Specify the retention period for the generation data group that is being defined. Click for to define the number of days to retain the GDG up to 9999. Click to to define the data until which to retain the GDG in the form of [yyyy/]mm/dd.. If a retention period is not specified, the generation data group can be deleted at any time.
  3. Click OK to define the new generation data group.
1 For IDz users, you can also display and work with generation data groups in the z/OS Projects view.
2 For IDz users, you can also display and work with generation data groups in the z/OS Projects view.