Move/Copy Utility (Option 3.3)

ISPF Move/Copy Utility (Option 3.3) is a powerful tool for copying and moving datasets and members between locations. It supports copying entire datasets, copying specific members, moving datasets, bulk operations, and provides various options for controlling how operations are performed. This tutorial covers dataset copying, member copying, move operations, available options, and practical examples.

Understanding Move/Copy Utility is essential for dataset management, backups, migrations, and reorganizing data structures. It provides a user-friendly interface for operations that would otherwise require complex JCL or multiple steps.

Accessing Move/Copy Utility

Move/Copy Utility is accessed from the ISPF Utilities menu.

How to Access

To access Move/Copy Utility:

• Select Option 3 from the ISPF Primary Option Menu
• Select Option 3 from the utility selection panel
• Or type "3.3" directly from the Primary Option Menu
• The Move/Copy Utility panel appears

Access Example

From the Primary Option Menu:

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Option ===> 3.3

Move/Copy Utility Operations

Move/Copy Utility provides several types of operations.

Available Operations

Common operations include:

• Copy Dataset: Copy entire dataset
• Copy Member: Copy specific members
• Move Dataset: Move entire dataset
• Move Member: Move specific members
• Bulk Operations: Copy or move multiple items

Copying Datasets

Copying datasets creates a duplicate of the entire dataset.

What is Dataset Copy?

Dataset copy:

• Creates a duplicate of the source dataset
• Preserves all data and attributes
• Keeps the original dataset unchanged
• Creates target dataset if it doesn't exist
• Is useful for backups and duplications

Copying a Dataset

To copy a dataset:

• Select Copy Dataset operation
• Enter source dataset name
• Enter target dataset name
• Specify copy options
• Execute the copy
• Target dataset is created with source content

Dataset Copy Example

Copying a sequential dataset:

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Source Data Set . . . . USERID.DATA.INPUT
Target Data Set . . . . USERID.DATA.BACKUP
Replace Option . . . . . YES
Maintain Attributes . . YES

Copying Partitioned Datasets

When copying PDS/PDSE:

• All members are copied
• Member attributes are preserved
• Target PDS/PDSE is created if needed
• All member content is duplicated

Copying Members

Copying members duplicates specific members from one PDS/PDSE to another.

What is Member Copy?

Member copy:

• Copies specific members from source to target
• Preserves member content and attributes
• Keeps original members in source
• Can copy single or multiple members
• Is useful for sharing code or creating backups

Copying a Single Member

To copy a single member:

• Select Copy Member operation
• Enter source dataset and member name
• Enter target dataset and member name
• Specify copy options
• Execute the copy

Single Member Copy Example

Copying a member with the same name:

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Source Data Set . . . . USERID.SOURCE.COBOL
Source Member . . . . . PROG1
Target Data Set . . . . USERID.BACKUP.COBOL
Target Member . . . . . PROG1
Replace Option . . . . . YES

Copying a Member with Different Name

Copying a member to a different name:

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Source Data Set . . . . USERID.SOURCE.COBOL
Source Member . . . . . PROG1
Target Data Set . . . . USERID.BACKUP.COBOL
Target Member . . . . . PROG1BACKUP
Replace Option . . . . . YES

Copying Multiple Members

You can copy multiple members in a single operation.

Multiple Member Copy

To copy multiple members:

• Select Copy Member operation
• Enter source dataset
• Specify multiple member names (comma-separated or using wildcards)
• Enter target dataset
• Specify target member names or use same names
• Execute the copy

Multiple Member Copy Example

Copying multiple specific members:

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Source Data Set . . . . USERID.SOURCE.COBOL
Source Members . . . . PROG1,PROG2,PROG3
Target Data Set . . . . USERID.BACKUP.COBOL
Target Members . . . . PROG1,PROG2,PROG3
Replace Option . . . . . YES

Copying All Members

To copy all members:

• Select Copy Member operation
• Enter source dataset
• Specify "*" or "ALL" for members
• Enter target dataset
• Execute the copy
• All members are copied

Wildcard Member Selection

You can use wildcards to select members:

• Use "*" to match all members
• Use patterns like "PROG*" to match members starting with "PROG"
• Use "TEST*" to match members starting with "TEST"
• Wildcards help select groups of related members

Move Operations

Move operations transfer datasets or members from source to target.

What is Move?

Move:

• Transfers dataset or member from source to target
• Removes the item from the source location
• Creates it at the target location
• Is useful for relocating datasets or members
• Is permanent—source item is removed

Moving a Dataset

To move a dataset:

• Select Move Dataset operation
• Enter source dataset name
• Enter target dataset name
• Specify move options
• Confirm the move
• Dataset is transferred and source is removed

Moving Members

To move members:

• Select Move Member operation
• Enter source dataset and member name(s)
• Enter target dataset and member name(s)
• Specify move options
• Confirm the move
• Members are transferred and removed from source

Move Warning

Important considerations:

• Move permanently removes items from source
• Verify source and target before moving
• Consider backing up before moving
• Move cannot be undone easily

Copy Options

Copy options control how copy operations are performed.

Replace Option

The Replace option:

• YES: Replace existing target if it exists
• NO: Skip if target already exists
• Controls behavior when target exists
• Is important for avoiding accidental overwrites

Maintain Attributes Option

The Maintain Attributes option:

• YES: Preserve source attributes in target
• NO: Use target dataset attributes
• Controls whether attributes are copied
• Is important for maintaining format compatibility

Other Options

Additional options may include:

• Error handling options
• Member selection options
• Attribute conversion options
• Verification options
• Options vary by ISPF version

Practical Examples

Here are practical examples of using Move/Copy Utility.

Example 1: Backing Up a Dataset

To create a backup:

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Operation: Copy Dataset
Source: USERID.SOURCE.COBOL
Target: USERID.BACKUP.COBOL
Replace: YES
Maintain Attributes: YES

This creates a complete backup of the source dataset.

Example 2: Copying Specific Members

To copy specific members:

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Operation: Copy Member
Source Dataset: USERID.SOURCE.COBOL
Source Members: PROG1,PROG2
Target Dataset: USERID.TEST.COBOL
Target Members: PROG1,PROG2
Replace: YES

This copies PROG1 and PROG2 to the test library.

Example 3: Copying All Members

To copy all members:

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Operation: Copy Member
Source Dataset: USERID.SOURCE.COBOL
Source Members: *
Target Dataset: USERID.BACKUP.COBOL
Target Members: *
Replace: YES

This copies all members from source to backup.

Example 4: Moving a Member

To move a member:

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Operation: Move Member
Source Dataset: USERID.OLD.COBOL
Source Member: OLDPROG
Target Dataset: USERID.NEW.COBOL
Target Member: NEWPROG
Replace: YES

This moves OLDPROG from OLD library to NEW library with a new name.

Best Practices

Following best practices helps you use Move/Copy Utility effectively:

• Verify Source and Target: Always verify dataset and member names
• Use Replace Carefully: Understand Replace option before using
• Backup Before Move: Backup important data before move operations
• Maintain Attributes When Needed: Use Maintain Attributes to preserve format
• Test with Small Operations: Test options with small operations first
• Use Wildcards Wisely: Verify wildcard patterns match intended members
• Document Operations: Keep notes on important copy/move operations
• Verify Results: Verify that operations completed successfully

Explain Like I'm 5: Move/Copy Utility

Think of Move/Copy Utility like a special copying and moving machine:

• Copy is like a photocopy machine. You put your original file in, and it makes an exact copy. The original stays where it was, and you get a new copy! It's like photocopying a document—you have the original and a copy!
• Move is like actually moving a file from one folder to another. You pick up the file from one place and put it in a new place. The file is no longer in the old place—it's been moved! It's like moving a toy from one box to another!
• Copying Multiple Members is like making copies of multiple files at once. You can say "copy File 1, File 2, and File 3" and the machine makes copies of all of them! It's like having a super-fast copier that can copy many things at once!
• Options are like settings on the machine. You can say "replace files that already exist" or "keep the original settings" or "skip if something already exists." It's like having buttons that control how the machine works!

So Move/Copy Utility is like having a special machine that can copy or move your files (datasets and members) from one place to another, with settings to control exactly how it works!

Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to reinforce your understanding of Move/Copy Utility:

Exercise 1: Copying a Dataset

Practice copying: copy a test dataset, verify the copy was created correctly, compare source and target, and understand dataset copy operations. Learn basic dataset copying.

Exercise 2: Copying Single Members

Practice member copying: copy single members between PDS/PDSE datasets, copy with same names and different names, verify copies, and understand member copy operations. Master single member copying.

Exercise 3: Copying Multiple Members

Practice multiple copying: copy multiple specific members, use wildcards to copy groups of members, copy all members, verify results, and understand bulk operations. Learn efficient member copying.

Exercise 4: Move Operations

Practice moving: move test members and datasets, verify moves completed correctly, understand that source items are removed, and learn when to use move vs copy. Master move operations.

Exercise 5: Using Options

Practice options: use Replace and Maintain Attributes options, understand how options affect operations, test different option combinations, and learn to choose appropriate options. Master option usage.

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