Edit/copy/define VSAM files from TSO ISPF

ISPF/VSAM Utility provides on-line access (through ISPF) to the most often used VSAM functions normally done with IDCAMS batch processing: allocating (defining), renaming, copying, and deleting VSAM files. It was designed primarily for use by applications and systems programmers. IVU allows editing and browsing of VSAM and NON-VSAM files with no LRECL or file size restrictions. 

Editing is available in two formats:

Hexadecimal/Character
This format displays record information using three lines per character, with one line showing the EBCDIC (character) representation of data and the other two lines showing the hexadecimal equivalent. Changes can be made to both the character and hex representations simply by overtyping.

Copycode
The copycode format utilizes the copycode that you specify to provide a ‘COBOL’ view of the data. Field levels and datanames are displayed along with the length and field type (usage). Beside each field the actual data is displayed. Data is presented in the format dictated by the picture clause. When the copycode being used has more than one 01 level dataname (multiple record types) a facility is provided to switch automatically from record type to record type. Data can be changed by overtyping. 

In each format complete scrolling functions are available. Record selection can be done by overtyping the key with a full or partial key and pressing ENTER. A find command is also provided. In edit mode a change command allows finding and replacing specified character strings anywhere within a file.

Browsing is available in three formats:

Two of the formats are identical to the formats available with editing, Hexadecimal/Character and Copycode as described above.

The third format is Full Screen Browse. Full Screen Browse has the ‘look and feel’ of ISPF browse. This browse format provides the ability to display multiple records per screen. All the normal ISPF browse commands are available.

A PF key is provided to swap back and forth between full screen browse and either edit format. If you find a record you want to modify, you can simply press a PF key to take you into EDIT with the file positioned at the record you were browsing. You can also swap to full screen browse from any EDIT session.

Allocating/Defining VSAM files:

VSAM Utility allows allocation (defining) of VSAM files including alternate indexes and paths. KSDS, ESDS, RRDS and Alternate Indexes may be defined. Parameters used to allocate datasets can be saved in a PDS member of your choosing. Parameters can then be recalled for later use allowing you to allocate other dataset ‘modeling’ them after an existing dataset. Datasets can be created quickly without having to run batch jobs. New datasets can then be loaded quickly using the COPY function to copy from an existing dataset.

ISPF/VSAM additional features:

Provides VSAM manipulation by deleting, copying, renaming, and inquiring on VSAM and NON-VSAM datasets.

Invoking ISPF/VSAM Utility:

ISPF/VSAM Utility executes as a panel driven ISPF dialog. LIBDEF and split screen sessions are fully supported. Launching the product can be achieved in various ways, including:

– selecting an option from an ISPF menu.
– entering ‘TSO VSAMUTIL’ on any ISPF command line.
– using any function to select a VSAM file from a SimpList object list.