Using dynamic allocation functions in either a batch or interactive environment

The dynamic allocation functions described in Table 1 are useful in a batch environment or an interactive environment. They are:

Table 1. Dynamic Allocation Functions in a Batch or Interactive Environment
Function	Described in topic	Purpose
Dsname or pathname allocation	Using dsname or pathname allocation	Dynamically assigns a data set or z/OS® UNIX file to a job by its data set name.
Ddname allocation	Using ddname allocation	Dynamically reuses a not-in-use data set.
Deallocation	Deallocating resources	Dynamically releases resources assigned to a job through JCL or dynamic allocation
Concatenation	Concatenating resources	Logically associates allocated data sets.
Deconcatenation	Deconcatenating resources	Logically disassociates concatenated data sets.
Information retrieval	Obtaining allocation environment information	Retrieves information about your allocation environment.

Functions that are useful only in an interactive environment are described in Using dynamic allocation functions in an interactive environment.

Note: Throughout this information, the word “deallocate” is used to denote the action, and the word “unallocated” is used to denote the state. In cases where the common usage is hard to change – for example, in the name of a dynamic allocation function – without causing confusion, the words “unallocate/unallocation” have been retained.