Format the RFS Filepools

Ensure that all required configuration tasks have been performed, and if necessary re-start CICS. Sign on with a userid defined as an authorized user in CICSTART.PROC. Enter REXX (which is the default transaction id associated with the CICRXTRY exec). You should see the following line at the top of the screen:

Enter a REXX command or EXIT to quit

and a READ in the lower right hand corner. The cursor is in the lower left hand corner. You have now entered the supplied exec which allows the execution of REXX and REXX/CICS commands interactively.

Now prepare the filepools for use by entering a command for every filepool that is defined in CICSTART:

'FILEPOOL FORMAT poolname

where poolname is substituted by the filepool name you specified in the CICSTART exec (the defaults are POOL1 and POOL2).

Note:
We recommend you to use either single or double apostrophes to delimit the REXX command.

The interactive environment echoes each command at the next available line on the screen and displays any requested output.

The FILEPOOL FORMAT command does not display any information to indicate that it has successfully completed, but the word READ appears in the lower right hand corner of the screen.

To determine whether the FILEPOOL FORMAT command worked successfully, enter SAY RC (without apostrophes). If a 0 is displayed on the next available line, the FILEPOOL FORMAT command was successful.

Attempting to re-format a filepool gives the message:

Subcommand return code = 1836

This is also the return code displayed by SAY RC.

Continue this process until all RFS filepools are formatted. You only format the filepool when a new filepool is defined, or if you delete and redefine the clusters for an existing filepool.

If you fill the screen while formatting the filepools or interactively executing REXX or REXX/CICS commands and instructions, a MORE indicator appears at the bottom right hand corner. To clear the screen, press the ENTER key. You may press the CLEAR key any time you want to clear the screen of data. Press the PF3 key to exit from the interactive environment, this simulates entering the EXIT instruction. You may also enter the EXIT instruction yourself (without apostrophes).

The interactive environment also allows recalling previously entered commands, by pressing the RETRIEVE key. The system has a default setting for this key of PF12. Pressing the RETRIEVE key causes the previously entered line to be re-displayed at the input location. You may then modify this area and execute the instruction again by pressing ENTER. Pressing the RETRIEVE key multiple times continues to bring the next previously entered command to the input area.