Creating application components from IBM z System datasets

Learn how to create an application component from an IBM z System dataset.

IBM z Systems Development and Test Environment Tools supports creating application components from IBM z System datasets. To create a component from IBM z System datasets, you can input a filter string that is passed to z/OS via the REST API. Then, you can get a list of cataloged datasets that match the filter.

The filter string that is used to search dataset list from z/OS follows the same rule of Dsname level in Data Set List Utility panel fields except one difference. ISPF automatically adds .** to the end of each filter string, but the Tools needs wildcards at the end of the filter string to indicate that the filter string will match more characters. For example, 'IBMUSER' in ISPF means 'IBMUSER.**' in Tools.

For the wildcards definition, see the following table:
Wildcards Definition
% Any single character
* Any number of characters within a single qualifier. Can follow or precede other parts of a qualifier as in a* or *b.
** Zero or more complete qualifiers
Restriction: You cannot specify only '*' or '**' as the filter string.
  • The restriction '**' is set to help you avoid retrieving all datasets unconsciously, which will be slow. But if you really want to retrieve all datasets, you can use '**.*.**'.
  • The restriction '*' is set to help you avoid trying to retrieve all datasets but get datasets with only one qualifier. But if you really want to retrieve datasets with only one qualifier, you can use '*.'.
To create application components from IBM z System datasets, complete the following steps:
  1. Click IBM z System DATASETS on the QUICK START page, or click the left-top button to navigate to Create-Component > Dataset - z System.
  2. Specify the host name of IBM z System you want to work with, and enter the required valid credentials.
    Note: Contact your administrator if you do not have this information.
  3. Enter a component name.
  4. Optional: Enter comments that can help you identify your components.
  5. Enter a qualifier, and then select all datasets that are needed for the component.
  6. Click Create Component to complete.

    When you create an application component, the information about IBM z System and the selected artifacts are saved and used when this component is included as a part of the application image creation process. No extraction of data occurs during this step.

Note: This process needs to be done by a system programmer, or someone that is familiar with IBM z System where the data is being extracted.
Parent topic: Creating application components from an existing IBM z System