The ISMF data set list feature allows you to create a list (group) of data sets based on a vast array of selection criteria.
For example, you can create a list of VSAM sphere base clusters that reside on a particular volume and match a specific data set naming convention. The produced ISMF data set list can then be saved for use at a later time. If a situation occurs that corrupts all data sets in the created list, such as a volume failure, you can display the saved ISMF data set list and call CICS® VR to recover the VSAM spheres in the list.
From the ISMF Data Set List panel, you can create a recovery job for the VSAM spheres by entering the VSAMREC command against individual data sets or against the entire list. Issue this command to display the proper CICS VR panels and build a recovery job for the VSAM spheres. The example below shows how to issue the VSAMREC list command to create a recovery job for all of the data sets in the ISMF data set list. VSAMREC also can be issued as a line operator to recover individual data sets within the list.
Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATA SET LIST Command ===> VSAMREC Scroll ===> HALF Entries 1-6 of 6 Enter Line Operators below: Data Columns 3-4 of 39 LINE ALLOC ALLOC OPERATOR DATA SET NAME SPACE USED ---(1)---- --------------------(2)--------------------- --(3)-- --(4)-- EXMPHLQ.CLUSTER1 ------- ------- EXMPHLQ.CLUSTER2 ------- ------- EXMPHLQ.CLUSTER3 ------- ------- EXMPHLQ.CLUSTER4 ------- ------- EXMPHLQ.CLUSTER5 ------- ------- EXMPHLQ.CLUSTER6 ------- ------- ---------- ------ ----------- BOTTOM OF DATA ----- ------- ---- ---- F1=Help F2=Split F3=End F4=Return F7=Up F8=Down F9=Swap F10=Left F11=Right F12=Cursor
ISMF also allows you to save the selection criteria that was entered to produce an ISMF data set list as a query. Saving the selection criteria allows you to regenerate ISMF data set lists quickly. For example, you can initially create and save an ISMF data set list that contains all VSAM sphere base clusters that are updated by a certain application and follow the same naming convention. If, at a later time this application fails, you might need to create a recovery job for every VSAM sphere that was updated by the application. If a long time has passed since the initial ISMF data set list was created, it is possible that new VSAM spheres were added to the application since the original list was created. If you saved the original selection criteria as a query, you can regenerate the ISMF data set list from the saved query. This regenerated ISMF data set list contains a current list of all data sets that are updated by the application. You can then call CICS VR to create a recovery job for the VSAM spheres.
See Creating the data set list for a detailed description of creating groups of data sets with ISMF and using them with CICS VR.
See VSAMREC CLIST for more information about VSAMREC.