Defining a data set naming convention

There are no restrictions on the data set names you choose for CICS® data sets, other than z/OS® constraints. In this information, CICSTS56.CICS is used as the high-level qualifier, and the DD name as the lowest level. If you are running multiple CICS regions, you can use the CICS APPLID as a second level qualifier.

About this task

If the data set is shared between an active CICS region and an alternate CICS region, use the generic APPLID, but if the data set is unique to either the active or the alternate CICS region, use the specific APPLID.

To learn about the rules and constraints for z/OS data set names, see DSNAME parameter in the z/OS MVS JCL Reference.

Procedure

For 4-character names, use the CTGI naming convention, based on the 4-character CTGI symbol, where:
- C identifies an entire CICSplex.
- T identifies the type of region.
- G identifies a group of regions.
- I identifies iterations of regions within a group.
For 8-character names, as for CICS APPLIDs, use the letters CICS for the first four characters, particularly for production regions.
For example, if CICSHTH1 is the APPLID, the data set name for the CSD would be:
```
DFHCSD   DD  DSN=CICSTS56.CICS.CICSHTH1.DFHCSD,DISP=SHR
```