Audience
This course is designed for those z/OS technicians who require a greater understanding of VSAM within their z/OS installation. The aim is to allow them to analyse their use of VSAM with the aim of improving performance and reliability whilst reducing errors.
Prerequisites
Delegates should have at least a basic knowledge of TSO/ISPF and JCL, as taught in our z/OS TSO/ISPF Workshop and z/OS Job Control Language courses.
An appreciation of VSAM, IDCAMS and general buffering would be helpful.
Duration
2 days. Hands on.
Course Objectives
After successfully completing this course, delegates will:
- Understand the main concepts of the VSAM file.
- Understand Access Methods Services program and its parameters.
- Have a greater understanding of COBOL, COBOL II, PL1 and Assembler programming in relation to VSAM files.
- Tune VSAM files.
Course Content
Introduction to VSAM
Evolution of Access Methods:
• DAM.
• BDAM.
• ISAM.
• VSAM.
VSAM File Types:
• KSDS.
• ESDS.
• RRDS.
• LDS.
Basic VSAM Terminology:
• Cluster.
• Component.
• Data.
• Index.
• Freespace.
• Control Interval.
• Control Area.
• Splits.
Disks and Catalogs
Disks:
• Blocks.
• Tracks.
• Cylinders.
Catalogs:
• CVOL.
• VTOC.
• VSAM Catalog.
• ICF Catalog.
• Mastercats.
• Usercats.
• Alias.
The order of a Catalog Search.
Data Facility Product (DFP) Concepts.
IDCAMS Commands:
• DEFINE MASTERCAT.
• DEFINE USERCAT.
• DEFINE ALIAS.
Rules of IDCAMS
IDCAMS Syntax Rules.
JCL Requirements:
• MVS.
• VSE.
• ESA.
Condition Codes.
MODAL options.
Creating a VSAM Cluster
DEFINE CLUSTER options:
• KSDS.
• ESDS.
• RRDS.
• LDS.
Example of an "IDEAL" Define.
LISTCATS
Creating a LISTCAT
Interpreting a LISTCAT:
• Field by Field.
• At a Glance.
Tuning a VSAM Cluster
VSAM Tuning Concepts.
Using your LISTCAT.
Tuning:
• CISZ.
• FSPC.
• Space Allocations.
• Indexes.
Formulas and Calculations.
Disk Tables.
Reorganizing a VSAM Cluster
Backing Up a Cluster.
Deleting a Cluster.
Reusing a Cluster.
Loading Data.
IDCAMS Commands:
• REPRO.
• DELETE.
• EXPORT.
• IMPORT.
Alternate Indexes
Alternate Index Concepts.
Building a path.
Building an alternate AIX.
Tuning an AIX.
JCL Requirements.
Optimizing VSAM Use
Batch versus CICS use.
Buffering:
• BUFNI.
• BUFND.
Shareoptions:
• Cross Region.
• Cross System.
CICS:
• NSR.
• LSR.
• FCT.
• Shutdown Statistics.
COBOL Programming
Batch COBOL Rules:
• Select/Assign Clause.
• FD Clause.
• File Verbs (Open, Write, etc...).
VSAM Differences for COBOL II.
Examples:
• KSDS.
• ESDS.
• RRDS.
• AIX.
PLI Programming
Batch PLI Rules:
• Declare (DCL).
• File Verbs (Open, Write, etc...).
Examples:
• KSDS.
• ESDS.
• RRDS.
• AIX.
Assembler Programming
VSAM Macros:
• ACB.
• RPL.
• OPEN, etc...
Examples:
• KSDS.
• ESDS.
• RRDS.
CICS Programming
CICS VSAM Concepts:
• FCT Definition.
• EXEC CICS Commands.
Examples:
• KSDS.
• ESDS.
• RRDS.
• AIX.
Other VSAM Concepts
Manipulating a File:
• Print Contents of a File.
• Alter Definition of a File.
Maintaining File Integrity:
• Verify End-of-File Marker.
• Compare Catalog Entry to Physical File Definition.
Other Defines:
• Defining a NONVSAM File.
• Defining a Generation Data Group.
Cache Memory Concepts.
Linear Data Sets (LDS)
Linear File Concepts:
• Virtual Storage Windowing.
• Data/Hyper Spaces.
Define Cluster Example.
Programming Example (COBOL II).
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystems (DFSMS)
System Managed Storage:
• Data Classes.
• Storage Classes.
• Management Classes.
• Storage Groups.
Changes to VSAM.
JCL Changes.