How to Begin Using the Product › How to Prepare Your System for Your Lessons › Allocate a Test Data Set

Allocate a Test Data Set

Begin at your ISPF Primary Option Menu. ISPF is the main user interface for your z/OS operating system. This panel provides the starting point from which you enter all ISPF facilities and functions.

Follow these steps:

1. Enter 3.2 in the Option field.

   The Data Set Utility panel displays.

   Use this panel to enter the name of a data set that you can use for testing rules. Your user ID, with TEST, and RULES, makes a good name for such a data set.

2. Complete the Data Set Utility panel with the following suggested entries:
   • Enter an A in the Option field.
   • Enter your user ID in the Project field.
   • Enter TEST in the Group field.
   • Enter RULES in the Type field.

   The Data Set Utility panel looks similar to the following example:

                                   Data Set Utility
   Option ===>
       A Allocate new data set                  C Catalog data set
       R Rename entire data set                 U Uncatalog data set
       D Delete entire data set                 S Data set information (short)
   blank Data set information                   M Enhanced data set allocation
                                                V VSAM Utilities
   

   ISPF Library:
      Project  . . USERID
      Group  . . . TEST
      Type . . . . RULES
   Other Partitioned, Sequential or VSAM Data Set:
      Data Set name . . .
      Volume Serial . . .           (If not cataloged, required for option "C")
   Data Set Password  . .           (If password protected)
   

3. Review your choices and press enter.

   The Allocate New Data Set panel displays, similar to the following example:

   --------------------------- Allocate New Data Set ---------------------------
   Command ===>
                                                                 More:      +
   Data Set Name . . . : USERID.TEST.RULES
   Volume serial . . . . MVSNN0        (Blank for authorized default volume) *
   Generic unit. . . . .               (Generic group name or unit address) *
   Space units . . . . . TRACK         (BLKS, TRKS, CYLS, KB, MB or BYTES)
   Primary quantity. . . 20            (In above units)
   Secondary quantity. . 10            (In above units)
   Directory blocks. . . 100           (Zero for sequential data set)
   Record format . . . . FB
   Record length . . . . 80
   Block size  . . . . . 3200
   Expiration date . . .               (YY/MM/DD, YYYY/MM/DD
                                        YY.DDD, YYYY.DDD in Julian form
    Enter "/" to select option          DDDD for retentions in days
      Allocate Multiple Volumes         or blank)
   

4. Provide the allocation data using the example panel (Step 3) as an example to enter values for the data that the operating system requested. Perform the following actions:
   • Enter data in the fields as shown on the example panel from Step 3. These values are suggestions only; however, they can work for a rule testing data set.
   • Press your PF3 key twice or enter the END command twice.

Your test data set is allocated and you can proceed to the next section.