Online reference

This space documents the online portion of File-AID/MVS. It is intended for users who are familiar with the IBM Interactive System Productivity Facility/Program Development Facility (ISPF/PDF), hereafter referred to as ISPF. The basic components of ISPF are not defined here.

What’s in this section?

The first two topics of this space introduce the general facilities and recurring features of File-AID. The following sections discuss each product function and are arranged in the order they appear on the File-AID Primary Option Menu. The function’s option number appears in parentheses following the section title. The final two sections describe primary and line commands. The following list briefly describes the contents of each section:

  • Product-overview: Product feature and function descriptions.
  • Product-conventions: Instructions for accessing File-AID and descriptions of the conventions and procedures that can be used with more than one function, such as tutorials.
  • Parameters-0: Display and modify a variety of parameter settings at any time during your File-AID session. This topic describes the Parameters function, options, and screens.
  • Browse-and-edit-1-and-2: Browse and edit data in Character, Formatted, Vertical Formatted, or Unformatted mode. This topic describes the Browse and Edit function data displays, screens, information displays, audit trail feature, edit procedures, and performance considerations.
  • Library-Utility-3-1: Manage libraries online. This topic describes the Library utility function, options, and screens.
  • Dataset-Utility-3-2: Allocate, define, delete, rename, and uncatalog data sets, display data set information, and free unused space. This topic describes the Data set utility function, options, and screens.
  • Copy-Utility-3-3: Copy records or members from one data set to another. This topic describes the Copy utility function, options, and screens.
  • Catalog-Utility-3-4: Display lists of cataloged data sets. This topic describes the Catalog utility function, options, and screens.
  • VSAM-Utility-3-5: Allocate VSAM data sets, display data set information, delete and define clusters, and rename and modify components. This topic describes the VSAM utility function, options, and screens.
  • Search-Update-utility-3-6: View and modify files of any standard MVS access method. This topic describes the Search/Update utility function, options, and screens.
  • VTOC-Utility-3-7: List volume information by volume or data set. This topic describes the VTOC utility function, options, and screens.
  • Interactive-Utility-3-8: Process File-AID/Batch commands at a terminal. This topic describes the Interactive utility function and screens.
  • Batch-submit-utility-3-9: Use screens to create and submit batch jobs. This topic describes the Batch Submit utility function and screens.
  • Format-utility-3-10: Use screens to compile source record layouts into File-AID maps. This topic describes the Format utility function and screens.
  • XMLGEN-3-G: Use screens to create XML documents from existing files using COBOL or PL/I layout fields as the tag names.
  • Print-5m: Print the contents of a data file, record layout XREF, selection criteria, record layouts, and if created audit trail. This topic describes the Print function, options, and screens.
  • Selection-criteria-6: Create and maintain sets of criteria that File-AID uses to select records in a data file for processing. This topic describes the Selection Criteria function, options, and screens.
  • Record-layout-cross-reference-7: Create and maintain XREFs (record layout cross references) that File-AID uses to format files containing more than one record type. This topic describes the Record Layout Cross Reference function, options, and screens.
  • View-Record-Layout-8: View COBOL or PL/I record layouts as File-AID interprets them. This topic describes the View function and screens.
  • Reformat-9: Reformat an input file as it is being copied. This topic describes the Reformat function, options, and screens.
  • Compare-10: Compare two files. This topic describes the Compare function, options, and screens.
  • Primary-commands: Syntax and usage of the primary commands. This topic describes each File-AID primary command.
  • Line-commands: Syntax and usage of the line commands for use in character and vertical formatted edit modes. This topic describes each File-AID line command.

Notation Rules

This space uses the following notation rules:

  • Screen displays are printed as shown by the product, in upper and lowercase characters.
  • Boldface type indicates data that you are to enter on the screen.
  • Railroad logic syntax diagrams are used to define primary and line command syntax. See "Syntax Diagram Notation Rules ".
  • The names of special function keys are defined as follows:

Enter

The keyboard Enter key. When pressed, information is transmitted to File-AID.

HELP

PF key used to display tutorial information or a longer error message. Usually defined as PF1.

END

PF key used to end the current process. Usually defined as PF3.

RETURN

PF key used to end the current process and return to the primary menu. Usually defined as PF4.

RFIND

PF key used to repeat a find condition already entered. Usually defined as PF5.

UP

PF key used to scroll up the display. Usually defined as PF7.

DOWN

PF key used to scroll down the display. Usually defined as PF8.

Syntax Diagram Notation Rules

The syntax for File-AID commands is described in diagrams that help you visualize parameter use. The following example shows a command and a parameter:

image2021-3-18_10-47-57.png

A parameter is either a keyword or a variable.

  • All keywords are shown in UPPERCASE characters and must be spelled exactly as shown. You cannot substitute another value.
  • All variables are user-specified values and are printed in lowercase italics. For example, dataset-name indicates you are to substitute a value.

Read the diagrams from left to right and from top to bottom. These symbols help you follow the path of the syntax:

rointro00001.jpg

indicates the beginning of a statement.

rointro00003.jpg

indicates the statement is continued on the next line.

rointro00005.jpg

indicates the statement is continued from the previous line.

rointro00007.jpg

indicates the end of a statement.

Required parameters appear on the horizontal line (the main path):

image2021-3-18_10-48-20.png

Optional parameters appear below the main path. Default parameters that appear above the main path are optional; including or excluding them in the command has the same effect on the execution.

image2021-3-18_10-48-52.png

Vertically stacked parameters are mutually exclusive. If you must choose a parameter, one item of the stack appears on the main path. If the parameters are optional, the entire stack appears below the main path. If one of the parameters in a stack is the default, it appears above the main path:

image2021-3-18_10-49-34.png

An arrow returning to the left indicates a repeatable item.

image2021-3-18_10-49-54.png

 

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