Selection criteria in the primary IMS database

Option 6, Selection, is used to create, modify, and apply field and segment selection criteria to all segments in the primary IMS database. The purpose of selection criteria is to enable you to selectively process a subset of the segments in a database using a set of rules (or criteria) to create the subset.

The two kinds of selection criteria supported in File-AID for IMS/ISPF are existing and temporary. Each kind can be applied to all segments in the Extract function.

Existing selection criteria are created and maintained in the Selection Criteria function of File-AID for IMS, Option 6. Existing selection criteria are stored in a cataloged data set for use in the functions where you can apply them. The Selection Criteria option consists of the following:

  • Specifying the selection criteria dataset to edit.
  • Editing the existing selection criteria.

Temporary selection criteria are created from within the Extract function where you apply the criteria. Temporary selection criteria are valid only for the duration of the function, they are not stored for future use. Therefore, you do not specify a selection criteria dataset but proceed directly into editing the temporary selection criteria. When you are finished editing the temporary selection criteria, the changes are applied and you proceed normally with the Extract function. Temporary selection criteria remain in effect only until the batch job is submitted. The criteria are deleted by the batch job.

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