gtps4m15System Generation

General Files

TPF general files are sequentially organized sets of data. However, they are not MVS-compatible. There is a limited set of general files required by the TPF system; for example, the general file used to load the pool directories. Therefore, general file support is a required function in TPF.

General file modules are formatted by the TPF formatter (381-byte, 1055-byte, or 4KB records only), and may contain up to 3 data sets per module but with only a single extent per data set. The data set ID number is a unique identification which appears in the volume label. It is a 2-digit number starting from 00 to a maximum of 59. If a data set requires more than one module (overflow) the next sequential data set number will be assigned. A maximum of 60 data sets may be online at any one time.

General files are usually created offline using the execute channel program (EXCP) facility of MVS. They may also be created online by an application program.

The SIP RAM macro parameters relating to general files are GFENS and GFMOD. Refer to Database Device Addressing for an example of these parameters.

The worksheet in Table 6 is for recording general files that are defined to the system. The first 2 are predefined as follows:

The file recoup program requires Data Set 2 on a DASD general file. See TPF Database Reference for more information.

Volume serial numbers for general files may have any 6 alphanumeric characters, except all Fs.

Table 6. General File Worksheet

Application File Name Data Set ID Number Volume Serial Number of Pack
  0  
  1  
File Recoup 2  
Pool Maintenance 3  
  n  

SIP provides the GENFIL macro to define general files to the system. GENFIL parameters are used to build the General File Module Table (see data macro GENFD) in program segment CVZD. Defining general files to an operational system is accomplished by adding entries to program segment CVZD, reassembling CVZD, and then loading CVZD to the online system. In order for this to work, the initial IPL switch in CTKB (CK9IPLR) must be set to X'00', and CTKB loaded to the online system. This allows the General File Module Table to be reinitialized.

The following GENFIL macro examples define general file data sets 2 through 5:

* FILE RECOUP PROGRAM
  GENFIL DS=2,GSIZE=L,CYL=60,TRK=1,DEV=3350
* POOL MAINTENANCE
  GENFIL DS=3,GSIZE=L,CYL=0,TRK=1,DEV=3350

The loader general file does not require a GENFIL macro. Because it is required before the online system is fully operational, it is handled separately from the normal general file support.

Parameters provided in the above GENFIL macros are examples.