If the entryname in the RELATE parameter is non-VSAM, choose an aliasname in the NAME parameter. This is done to ensure the multilevel alias facility selects the catalog that has the entryname.

The multilevel alias facility and the system-generated name format requires special attention:

• When you DEFINE a VSAM data set, point the data/index name to the same catalog as the cluster; otherwise, an error occurs.
• During the DEFINE of a VSAM cluster or a generation data group (GDG), if the name of the cluster or GDG matches an existing alias or user catalog, the DEFINE request is denied with a duplicate name error. This prevents the data/index component or a generation data set (GDS) from becoming inaccessible.
• When you add an alias to the catalog, ensure it does not cause existing data sets to become inaccessible.

NAME(aliasname)

Is the alias (the alternate entryname) for a user catalog or non-VSAM data set. An alias must be unique within a catalog.

RELATE(entryname)

Is the name of the entry (the user catalog entryname or the non-VSAM data set name) for which the alias is defined.

Abbreviation: REL

Restriction: The RELATE and SYMBOLICRELATE parameters are mutually exclusive.

SYMBOLICRELATE(entryname)

Allows the specification of the base data set name using system symbols. For more details, see "Extended Alias Support" in z/OS DFSMS Managing Catalogs.

Abbreviation: SYM