Device allocation for SMS-managed data sets

For an SMS-managed data set, SMS obtains information about the device to be used for the data set based on the storage class assigned for the data set.

In many cases, the device used by the storage class that an ACS routine selects is sufficient for the data sets you create with DD statements.

You can, however, specify the name of a storage class on the STORCLAS parameter for a new SMS-managed data set. (Note that an ACS routine can override the storage class that you specify.)

The storage administrator at your installation defines the names of storage classes and their attributes. To view a list of storage class names and their attributes, use Interactive Storage Management Facility (ISMF).

To let an ACS routine select a storage class for a new data set, omit the STORCLAS parameter; for example:
   //DD5  DD  DSNAME=DESIGNA.PGM,DISP=(NEW,KEEP)
To specify a specific storage class for a new data set, code the STORCLAS parameter; for example:
   //DD6  DD  DSNAME=DESIGNB.PGM,STORCLAS=STOR55,DISP=(NEW,KEEP)

The system catalogs new permanent system-managed DASD data sets at allocation. The system catalogs data sets on a system-managed tape volume during unallocation processing, according to DISP parameters on DD statements.

To retrieve an existing data set, you do not need to code the STORCLAS parameter; for example:
   //DD7  DD  DSNAME=DESIGNB.PGM,DISP=MOD
If you specify the UNIT parameter for an SMS-managed data set, the system generally ignores the parameter. There are, however, several cases when the system uses the information specified on the UNIT parameter: