Tools Customizer overview
IBM® Tools Customizer for z/OS® (also referred to as Tools Customizer) standardizes many of the customization processes that are required to customize IBM Tools that run on z/OS.
Tools Customizer provides a consistent ISPF interface to ensure that the customization process is the same for all IBM Tools products and solution pack components. It also provides the ability to "discover" parameter values from products or solution pack components that you previously customized manually or by using Tools Customizer. Learn more about the features and benefits of using Tools Customizer.
The following interactive model shows the process for customizing a product for the first time, for migrating to a new release of a product, and for recustomizing a product that you have already customized.
Features and benefits
Tools Customizer provides the following features:
- A single, consistent ISPF interface ensures that the customization process is the same for all IBM Tools products and solution pack components.
- A Discover EXEC discovers values for common product, LPAR, and DB2® parameters from a product or solution pack component that you previously customized manually or by using Tools Customizer. Each IBM Tools product and solution pack component has a unique Discover EXEC. The discovered parameters are stored in the data store. If the product or solution pack component that you want to customize exists in the Tools Customizer data store, Tools Customizer issues a warning before it overwrites existing values. Use the Discover EXEC by issuing the DISCOVER command on the Customizer Workplace panel.
- The data store retains discovered and manually specified parameter values. Because the parameter information is persistently stored, you have to manually specify or discover parameter values only once. Tools Customizer uses these parameter values where they are applicable.
- A metadata repository contains the members that
define the following customization attributes for products and solution
pack components:
- Parameters, tasks, and steps for the product or solution pack component to be customized. Some product or solution pack parameters, tasks, and steps are required.
- LPAR parameters for the local LPAR. All of the LPAR parameters are required. Some products and solution pack components do not require an LPAR.
- DB2 parameters for the DB2 subsystem, DB2 group attach name, or DB2 data sharing member on which you will customize the product or solution pack component. All of the DB2 parameters are required.
- Multiple configurations let you save unique sets of parameter values, selected customization tasks and steps, and associated DB2 entries depending on your environment. Some products and solution pack components do not support multiple configurations.
- Default values are provided for product parameters and solution pack component parameters, LPAR parameters, and DB2 parameters. The default values show examples of how to complete fields.