Library Utility (Option 3.1)

ISPF Library Utility (Option 3.1) is a specialized tool for managing members in partitioned datasets (PDS) and partitioned dataset extended (PDSE). It provides a member list interface and comprehensive member operations including Browse, Edit, Delete, Rename, Copy, Print, Compare, and more. This tutorial covers accessing Library Utility, understanding the member list, performing member actions, and using Library Utility effectively for member management.

Library Utility is essential for working with PDS/PDSE libraries, as it provides a centralized interface for viewing and managing all members in a dataset. Understanding Library Utility helps you efficiently manage source code libraries, program libraries, and other partitioned datasets.

Accessing Library Utility

Library Utility is accessed from the ISPF Utilities menu.

How to Access

To access Library Utility:

• Select Option 3 from the ISPF Primary Option Menu
• Select Option 1 from the utility selection panel
• Or type "3.1" directly from the Primary Option Menu
• The Library Utility panel appears

Access Example

From the Primary Option Menu:

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Option ===> 3.1

Or from the utility selection panel:

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Option ===> 1

Library Utility Panel

The Library Utility panel prompts for a dataset name.

Dataset Entry

When Library Utility opens:

• You're prompted to enter a dataset name
• Enter the name of the PDS or PDSE
• Press Enter to display the member list
• The member list appears showing all members

Panel Example

A typical Library Utility entry panel:

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Library Utility
Data Set Name . . . . . USERID.SOURCE.COBOL

Member List Display

The member list shows all members in the dataset.

Member List Layout

The member list typically displays:

• Member names in a column
• Command area next to each member name
• Member attributes (size, dates, etc.)
• Scrollable list for large numbers of members
• Function key labels

Member List Example

A typical member list might look like:

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Command ===> 
     Name      Size    Created      Modified     User
     MEMBER1   00150   2024/01/15   2024/01/20   USER01
     MEMBER2   00200   2024/01/16   2024/01/18   USER01
     MEMBER3   00080   2024/01/17   2024/01/17   USER02

Member Attributes

The member list shows attributes such as:

• Name: Member name
• Size: Member size in records or bytes
• Created: Creation date
• Modified: Last modification date
• User: User who created or last modified
• Other metadata depending on ISPF version

Member Actions

Member actions are performed by entering action codes in the command area.

Common Action Codes

Common member action codes include:

• B: Browse - View member in read-only mode
• E: Edit - Edit member in the ISPF editor
• D: Delete - Delete the member
• R: Rename - Rename the member
• C: Copy - Copy the member
• P: Print - Print the member
• J: Compare - Compare members
• M: Move - Move the member
• A: Attributes - View member attributes
• H: History - View member history (if available)

Using Action Codes

To perform an action:

• Enter the action code in the command area next to the member name
• You can enter multiple actions on different members
• Press Enter to execute all actions
• Some actions may prompt for additional information

Action Code Examples

Examples of using action codes:

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Command ===> 
     Name      Size    Created      Modified     User
B    MEMBER1   00150   2024/01/15   2024/01/20   USER01
E    MEMBER2   00200   2024/01/16   2024/01/18   USER01
D    MEMBER3   00080   2024/01/17   2024/01/17   USER02

This would browse MEMBER1, edit MEMBER2, and delete MEMBER3.

Browse Action (B)

The Browse action opens a member in read-only mode.

Using Browse

To browse a member:

• Enter "B" in the command area next to the member name
• Press Enter
• The member opens in Browse mode
• You can view but not modify the member

Browse Features

Browse mode provides:

• Read-only viewing of member content
• Search capabilities
• Navigation through the member
• Ability to scroll and view content
• Faster than Edit mode for viewing

Edit Action (E)

The Edit action opens a member in the ISPF editor.

Using Edit

To edit a member:

• Enter "E" in the command area next to the member name
• Press Enter
• The member opens in Edit mode
• You can make changes to the member

Edit Features

Edit mode provides:

• Full editing capabilities
• Ability to modify member content
• All editor features (line commands, primary commands, etc.)
• Save and cancel options

Delete Action (D)

The Delete action removes a member from the dataset.

Using Delete

To delete a member:

• Enter "D" in the command area next to the member name
• Press Enter
• ISPF may prompt for confirmation
• Confirm to delete the member
• The member is permanently removed

Delete Warning

Important considerations:

• Delete is permanent and cannot be undone
• Always confirm you want to delete before proceeding
• Consider backing up important members before deleting
• Verify you're deleting the correct member

Rename Action (R)

The Rename action changes a member's name.

Using Rename

To rename a member:

• Enter "R" in the command area next to the member name
• Press Enter
• ISPF prompts for the new member name
• Enter the new name
• Press Enter to complete the rename

Rename Requirements

When renaming:

• The new name must be unique in the dataset
• Member names are typically limited to 8 characters
• Follow naming conventions
• Verify the new name is correct

Copy Action (C)

The Copy action creates a copy of a member.

Using Copy

To copy a member:

• Enter "C" in the command area next to the member name
• Press Enter
• ISPF prompts for the target dataset and member name
• Enter target information
• Press Enter to complete the copy

Copy Options

When copying:

• You can copy to the same dataset with a different name
• You can copy to a different dataset
• The original member remains unchanged
• Target member name must be unique if copying to same dataset

Print Action (P)

The Print action prints a member.

Using Print

To print a member:

• Enter "P" in the command area next to the member name
• Press Enter
• ISPF may prompt for print options
• Print job is submitted
• Member is printed

Compare Action (J)

The Compare action compares two members.

Using Compare

To compare members:

• Enter "J" in the command area next to the first member
• ISPF prompts for the second member to compare
• Enter the second member name
• Press Enter to perform the comparison
• Differences are displayed

Multiple Member Operations

You can perform actions on multiple members simultaneously.

Multiple Actions

To perform multiple actions:

• Enter action codes for multiple members
• Each member can have a different action
• Press Enter to execute all actions
• Actions are processed in order

Multiple Actions Example

Example of multiple actions:

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Command ===> 
     Name      Size    Created      Modified     User
B    MEMBER1   00150   2024/01/15   2024/01/20   USER01
E    MEMBER2   00200   2024/01/16   2024/01/18   USER01
P    MEMBER3   00080   2024/01/17   2024/01/17   USER02

This would browse MEMBER1, edit MEMBER2, and print MEMBER3 all in one operation.

Best Practices

Following best practices helps you use Library Utility effectively:

• Verify Before Delete: Always verify before deleting members
• Use Browse for Viewing: Use Browse instead of Edit when you only need to view
• Backup Important Members: Backup important members before major operations
• Check Member Attributes: Review member attributes to understand members
• Use Multiple Actions Efficiently: Combine actions when working with multiple members
• Follow Naming Conventions: Use consistent naming when creating or renaming members
• Confirm Destructive Operations: Always confirm delete and rename operations
• Understand Action Consequences: Know what each action does before using it

Explain Like I'm 5: Library Utility

Think of Library Utility like a special file cabinet manager:

• Library Utility is like a manager for a filing cabinet. When you tell it which cabinet (dataset) to look at, it shows you a list of all the files (members) inside, like a list showing "File 1, File 2, File 3" with information about each file!
• Member List is like a list of all the files in the cabinet. It shows you the name of each file, how big it is, when it was created, and other information. It's like having a catalog of everything in the cabinet!
• Action Codes are like special commands you give to the manager. You say "B" to look at a file, "E" to edit it, "D" to throw it away, "R" to rename it, "C" to make a copy. It's like telling the manager what to do with each file!
• Multiple Actions is like telling the manager to do different things with different files all at once. You can say "look at File 1, edit File 2, and throw away File 3" and the manager does all of them! It's like having a super-efficient helper!

So Library Utility is like having a smart manager for your filing cabinet that shows you all your files and lets you do things with them by using simple codes!

Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to reinforce your understanding of Library Utility:

Exercise 1: Accessing Library Utility

Practice accessing Library Utility: select Option 3.1, enter a dataset name, view the member list, and understand the member list layout. Build familiarity with Library Utility access.

Exercise 2: Browsing Members

Practice browsing: use the B action to browse different members, navigate through browsed members, use Browse features, and understand Browse mode. Learn to view members efficiently.

Exercise 3: Editing Members

Practice editing: use the E action to edit members, make changes, save changes, and understand Edit mode in Library Utility. Learn member editing workflow.

Exercise 4: Member Operations

Practice operations: use Copy, Rename, Print, and Compare actions, understand each operation, verify results, and learn when to use each action. Master member operations.

Exercise 5: Multiple Actions

Practice multiple actions: perform actions on multiple members simultaneously, combine different actions, verify all actions execute correctly, and understand multiple action workflows. Build efficiency skills.

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