Creating a new data set

You can create a new data set using the z/OS® Explorer. You can create a Partitioned Data Set (PDS), Partitioned Data Set Extended (PDSE or Library data set), or a Sequential data set.

Ensure that you are in the z/OS perspective.

Ensure that you are connected to an FTP server on your host system. For more information, see the related links later in this topic.

This task creates a new PDS, PDSE, or sequential data set.

  1. Open the New Data Set wizard by using one of the following choices:
    1. If you want to create a new source, or JCL data set, use one of the following methods:
      • Right-click in the Data Sets view and click New Source or JCL Data Set.
      • Click the down arrow on the New wizard icon The New wizard icon on the z/OS Explorer toolbar. Click Other and expand the z/OS folder. Click Source or JCL Data Set. Click Next.
      • On the Eclipse menu bar, click File > New > Other to open the New Project wizard. Expand the z/OS folder. Click Source or JCL Data Set. Click Next.
    2. If you want to create any other type of data set, use one of the following methods:
      • Right-click in the Data Sets view and click New Data Set.
      • Click the down arrow on the New wizard icon The New wizard icon on the z/OS Explorer toolbar. Click Other and expand the z/OS folder. Click Data Set. Click Next.
      • On the Eclipse menu bar, click File > New > Other to open the New Project wizard. Expand the z/OS folder. Click Data Set. Click Next.
    The New Data Set wizard opens. If you selected to create a source or JCL data set, go to step 3.
  2. The New z/OS Data Set page contains a list of data set types that are predefined. In the Data Set Name field, enter the name of the new data set. The name must have at least two qualifiers, for example; NEW.JCL. Select one of the predefined data set types, if required, and click Next.
    The New z/OS Data Set Characteristics page opens.
  3. If you selected a predefined data set type, the fields are prefilled. However, you can click Back and change the values if required. If the fields are not prefilled, you must specify the data set characteristics according to your requirements. See your z/OS documentation for information on data set characteristics.

    When you have set, or confirmed, the data set characteristics, click Next.

    The New z/OS Data Set - System-Managed Storage page opens.
  4. Optional: Specify the System-Managed Storage class IDs. If you do not know the IDs for these fields, ask your storage administrator. Click Finish.
    The new data set is created and is shown in the Data Sets view.

The data set is now ready for use, but see the following restrictions. For information about adding a new member to a data set, see the topic Creating a new data set member.

Restriction: In some cases, the results might not be as expected because of limitations in FTP. The following problems have been identified:
  • If you attempt to create a data set, and the primary allocation you define is greater than the space available, you might receive a permission denied error rather than a more appropriate error.
  • If you attempt to create a sequential data set with the same name as an existing PDS, you might receive an error stating that no member was specified on the STOR command
  • If you set the data class, on the last wizard screen, to a value that does not exist, the data set is created but you might receive no warning to say that the data class is not valid.
  • If you enter invalid characters in a field on the last wizard screen, the data set creation fails but you might not receive any reason information.