Table-driven data set naming conventions

You can use the naming convention table to set up and enforce a data set naming convention other than that used by RACF®. The table can:
  • Supply a qualifier to be used as the high-level qualifier for authorization checking
  • Convert data set names to RACF naming convention form for RACF use
  • Convert names in RACF form to the installation's format for external display
  • Enforce a naming convention by not allowing the definition of data sets that do not conform to an installation's rules
  • Reduce RACF overhead by determining whether a data set is a user or group data set.

You can create a naming convention table (module ICHNCV00), which RACF uses to check and modify (internally to RACF) the data set name in all commands and macros that process data set names. You can use the table to selectively rearrange data set names to fit the RACF convention without actually changing those names.

Naming convention processing is done by RACF immediately before the preprocessing/naming convention installation exits are called. (The exits can still be used for additional processing.)

The RACF table-driven naming convention feature largely replaces the need for the ICHCNX00 exit routine. (The naming convention table is processed before each call to ICHCNX00.)

For more information on creating and using the RACF naming convention table, see z/OS Security Server RACF System Programmer's Guide.