Allocating database data sets

After you have determined how much space you will need for your database, you can allocate data sets and then load your database.

You can allocate database data sets using either OSAM or VSAM.

Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) is provided with the z/OS operating system whereas Overflow Sequential Access Method (OSAM) is provided only by IMS.

If you want to take advantage of z/OS encryption, you can convert existing OSAM sequential data sets to VSAM linear data sets. This can be done without changing database definitions (DBD) from OSAM to VSAM.