Searching Across Datasets & Members: ISPF Search Utilities & FINDALL

Searching across multiple datasets and PDS members is essential for finding code, text, and patterns across your dataset library. ISPF provides powerful search utilities that allow you to search for text across multiple datasets and members efficiently. Understanding search utilities helps you locate information quickly and efficiently. This tutorial covers ISPF search utilities, FINDALL, searching across datasets and members, wildcards, and best practices.

ISPF search utilities provide capabilities beyond single-member searching. You can search across entire PDS libraries, multiple datasets, and use wildcards to search broad patterns. FINDALL and similar utilities make it easy to find where specific text appears across your dataset library. This tutorial provides practical guidance for cross-dataset searching.

Understanding ISPF Search Utilities

ISPF search utilities provide cross-dataset searching capabilities.

What are Search Utilities?

ISPF search utilities are tools that allow you to:

• Search across multiple datasets
• Search across all members in a PDS
• Use wildcards for pattern matching
• Display matches with locations
• Filter and organize search results

Search Utility (Option 3.14)

ISPF Option 3.14 (Search Utility) provides:

• Cross-dataset searching
• PDS member searching
• Wildcard support
• Search options and filters
• Result display and navigation

FINDALL Utility

FINDALL is a specialized utility for:

• Searching across multiple datasets
• Finding all occurrences of text
• Displaying matches with dataset and member names
• Supporting wildcards and patterns

Searching Across Datasets

You can search across multiple datasets using search utilities.

Using Search Utility

To search across datasets:

• Select Option 3 (Utilities) from ISPF Primary Option Menu
• Select Option 14 (Search Utility)
• Enter search string
• Specify dataset names or patterns
• Set search options
• Execute the search

Specifying Multiple Datasets

You can specify multiple datasets by:

• Listing dataset names separated by spaces
• Using wildcards in dataset names
• Specifying dataset patterns
• Including PDS with member wildcards

Example: Search in multiple datasets

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Search String: COPYBOOK
Datasets: USERID.SOURCE.COBOL(*)
          USERID.SOURCE.JCL(*)
          USERID.COPYLIB(*)

Using Wildcards

Wildcards allow pattern matching:

• *: Matches multiple characters
• %: Matches single character (in some utilities)
• Use in dataset names and member names
• Enables broad pattern searching

Example wildcard patterns:

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USERID.SOURCE.*        - All datasets starting with USERID.SOURCE
USERID.*.COBOL      - All datasets ending with .COBOL under USERID
USERID.SOURCE.COBOL(*) - All members in USERID.SOURCE.COBOL

Searching Across PDS Members

Searching across all members in a PDS is a common task.

Searching All Members

To search all members in a PDS:

• Use wildcard (*) for member names
• Specify PDS name with (*) suffix
• Search utility examines all members
• Results show member names with matches

Example: Search all members in a PDS

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Dataset: USERID.SOURCE.COBOL(*)
Search String: PERFORM
Result: Shows all members containing "PERFORM"

Searching Specific Members

To search specific members:

• List member names explicitly
• Use member name patterns
• Combine with dataset wildcards

Using FINDALL

FINDALL provides powerful cross-dataset searching.

FINDALL Basics

FINDALL searches for text across specified datasets:

• Enter search string
• Specify datasets to search
• FINDALL searches all specified datasets
• Displays all matches with locations

FINDALL Usage

To use FINDALL:

• Access FINDALL utility (varies by system)
• Enter search string
• Specify dataset list or pattern
• Set search options
• Execute and review results

FINDALL Results

FINDALL results typically show:

• Dataset name
• Member name (for PDS)
• Line number or location
• Matching text or context
• Search statistics

Search Options

Search utilities provide various options for customization.

Case Sensitivity

Search options include:

• Case-Sensitive: Matches exact case
• Case-Insensitive: Matches any case
• Default varies by utility
• Can usually be specified

Whole Word Matching

Whole word options:

• Match complete words only
• Exclude partial word matches
• Useful for finding specific terms
• Prevents false matches

Regular Expressions

Some utilities support:

• Regular expression patterns
• Advanced pattern matching
• Complex search patterns
• Pattern-based searching

Search Techniques

Effective search techniques improve results.

Specific Search Strings

Use specific search strings:

• Avoid overly generic terms
• Use unique identifiers when possible
• Combine terms for specificity
• Use quotes for exact phrases

Wildcard Strategies

Effective wildcard use:

• Start specific, broaden if needed
• Use wildcards for patterns
• Combine with specific terms
• Test wildcard patterns

Multiple Search Passes

For complex searches:

• Perform multiple searches
• Refine search criteria
• Combine results
• Use filters

Common Search Scenarios

Common scenarios for cross-dataset searching.

Finding Variable Usage

To find where a variable is used:

• Search for variable name
• Search across source libraries
• Review matches for context
• Verify variable usage

Finding Copybook References

To find copybook references:

• Search for COPY statement
• Search for copybook name
• Search across source datasets
• Identify all references

Finding Error Messages

To find error message text:

• Search for error message text
• Search across program libraries
• Locate error source
• Review error context

Best Practices

Following best practices improves search effectiveness:

• Use Specific Terms: Use specific search strings for better results
• Start Narrow: Start with specific searches, broaden if needed
• Use Wildcards Wisely: Use wildcards for patterns, not overly broad
• Review Results Carefully: Review all matches for relevance
• Combine Searches: Use multiple searches for complex needs
• Document Search Patterns: Keep notes on effective search patterns
• Use Case Options: Set case sensitivity appropriately
• Verify Matches: Verify matches are relevant to your needs

Troubleshooting Searches

Common search issues and solutions.

No Results Found

If no results found:

• Check search string spelling
• Verify case sensitivity setting
• Check dataset names are correct
• Verify datasets are accessible
• Try broader search patterns

Too Many Results

If too many results:

• Use more specific search string
• Narrow dataset scope
• Add additional search terms
• Use whole word matching
• Filter results if possible

Explain Like I'm 5: Searching Across Datasets

Think of searching across datasets like searching through a library:

• Search Utilities are like a library search system. Instead of looking through one book at a time, you can search across all books in the library at once. You type in what you're looking for, and the system finds it in all the books. It's like having a super-fast librarian who can check every book instantly!
• FINDALL is like a special search that looks through every book in the library and shows you everywhere your search term appears. It's like asking "Show me every page in every book that has the word 'adventure'" and getting a list of all those pages!
• Wildcards are like using patterns in your search. Instead of searching for a specific book title, you can search for "all books that start with 'Adventure'" using a wildcard. It's like saying "find me all books with titles that match this pattern"!
• Searching All Members is like searching through every chapter in a book series at once. Instead of opening each book individually, you search all books in the series together. It's like having a magic search that checks every chapter in every book instantly!

So searching across datasets is like having a super-powered library search system that can instantly find what you're looking for across all your books (datasets) and chapters (members)!

Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to reinforce your search skills:

Exercise 1: Basic Cross-Dataset Search

Practice basics: search for text across multiple datasets, understand search results, navigate results, and learn basic searching. Master basic cross-dataset search.

Exercise 2: Search All PDS Members

Practice PDS: search for text across all members in a PDS, use wildcards for members, understand member search results, and learn PDS searching. Master PDS member searching.

Exercise 3: Use Wildcards

Practice wildcards: use wildcards in dataset names, use wildcards in member names, understand wildcard patterns, and learn wildcard searching. Master wildcard usage.

Exercise 4: Use FINDALL

Practice FINDALL: use FINDALL utility, search across multiple datasets, understand FINDALL results, and learn FINDALL usage. Master FINDALL.

Exercise 5: Complex Search

Practice complex: perform complex search with multiple criteria, combine search techniques, refine search results, and learn advanced searching. Master complex searches.

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