Browse/edit in 64-bit memory mode

Edit and Browse now utilize 64-bit memory to improve efficiency and provide added functionality. This release continues in removing historical limitations and improving capabilities.

In Browse, if you are NOT using Selection Criteria, browsing will use 64-bit memory "Above the Bar", by default. Browse with selection criteria will initially use 31-bit memory and switch to 64-bit memory only when 31-bit memory is exhausted. However, if SEQ/VSAM processing direction is set to B for backward reading (see also SEQ/VSAM processing direction), Browse is restricted to 31-bit memory.

In Edit, if sufficient 31-bit memory is unavailable, and you are NOT using Selection Criteria, you will receive a short message saying "Using 64-bit memory" and editing will proceed automatically using 64-bit memory "Above the Bar". In this release, while in 64-bit Memory Mode, certain edit functions are restricted. In subsequent releases, these restrictions will be lifted.

Now that the File-AID/MVS Editor is using 64-bit memory, some of the restrictions associated with the obsolete "Windowed Edit" have been removed. Some of the restrictions still remain in this release of the 64-bit memory mode editor.

Edit in 64-bit Memory Mode — Primary Command Availability lists which primary commands and 64-bit Memory Mode Edit Line Commands lists which line commands are available in 64-bit memory mode. With each new File-AID/MVS release, more of these restrictions will be lifted.

Also, Selection Criteria processing does NOT use 64-bit Memory Mode yet and is still subject to 31-bit memory limitations. In a future release, this limitation will also be lifted.

64-bit Memory Mode is only available for these file types:

ordinary uncompressed sequential files (DSORG=PS)
hardware-compressed (SMS-compressible) sequential files
PDS/PDSE
VSAM KSDS
VSAM ESDS
VSAM RRDS
VSAM LINEAR
BDAM
IAM KSDS
IAM ESDS
IAM RRDS
z/FS files

Important

64-bit Memory Mode is not supported for VBS sequential files with LRECL=X, VSAM-RLS, and non-SMS multiple volume data sets.

Editing VSAM Files in 64-bit Memory Mode

Large VSAM KSDS and IAM files are edited in 64-bit Memory Mode when they are too large to fit into 31-bit memory. Some File-AID Edit commands are unavailable in 64-bit Memory Mode. See Edit in 64-bit Memory Mode — Primary Command Availability for a list of primary command availability for each display mode of 64-bit Memory Mode.

In 64-bit Memory Mode, the changes made to records are held in memory. The original values for the changed records are saved in File-AID temporary memory for possible use by the UNDO or CANCEL command.

These original values are discarded when you enter the SAVE command. In the event that your system fails, File-AID temporary memory is cleared and you lose the ability to UNDO or CANCEL your last set of changes.

The following differences apply to 64-bit Memory Mode:

Primary commands:
ADD, CREATE, INIT, INPUT, INSERT, MERGE, REBUILD, REMOVE, REPLACE, and SUBMIT are disabled.
See Edit in 64-bit Memory Mode — Primary Command Availability for a complete list of valid primary commands in each display mode of 64-bit Memory Mode.

Editing SEQUENTIAL Files in 64-bit Memory Mode

Large SEQUENTIAL (DSORG=PS) or (DSNTYPE=LARGE) files are edited in 64-bit Memory Mode when they are too large to fit into 31-bit. Some File-AID Edit commands are unavailable in 64-bit memory mode. See Edit in 64-bit Memory Mode — Primary Command Availability for a list of primary command availability for each display mode of 64-bit Memory Mode.

The following differences apply to 64-bit Memory Mode:

Primary commands:
ADD, CREATE, INIT, INPUT, INSERT, MERGE, REBUILD, REMOVE, REPLACE, and SUBMIT are disabled.
See Edit in 64-bit Memory Mode — Primary Command Availability for a complete list of valid primary commands in each primary mode of 64-bit Memory Mode.

Copy Work File Error

During the SAVE process for large sequential files, if File-AID can't do an Update-in-place (Update-In-Place Restrictions) then all of the records need to be loaded into memory to SAVE. If File-AID encounters insufficient 64-bit memory then File-AID will SAVE into a work file. If File-AID fails to copy from the work file to the original data set then File-AID will prompt (see the following figure) whether to rename the work file to replace their original data set or save the work file and the original data set.

Copy Work File Error

Dataset Name

Displays the data set name for the file being edited.

Work File

Displays the name of the edit work file that contains the edit session changes.

Rename

Specify whether to rename the work file to replace their original data set (Y) or save the work file and keep the original data set (N).