Allocation list line commands are entered next to a ddname or data set. By default the allocation list is in short format. This means that for concatenations, the ddname is next to the first data set name in the concatenation.

When a line command is entered next to a ddname, the command is intended to work on the DD allocation rather than the data set name on that line. For example, an E command next to the ddname that refers to a concatenation edits the whole concatenation. If you want to edit just the first data set in a concatenation, use the LONG command to place the list in long format. In long format, the ddname for a concatenation is on a separate line so that you can place line commands next to the first data set name in the concatenation.

The Edit, Browse, View, and Member list commands are sensitive to the results of the MEMBER primary command. When the MEMBER primary command searches the displayed list for a member or members matching a name pattern, the member or pattern is shown in the list. Placing an E, B, V, or M next to a name in which the member or pattern was found displays either a member list with member names matching the pattern or the specific found member.

E - Edit

The E line command edits a data set or concatenation. It can be used on any data set or any ddname allocated to a data set (real or VIO). You might want to use the E line command for editing temporary files such as JCL that was created by file tailoring and written to the ISPCTLn ddname.

B - Browse

The B line command browses a data set or concatenation. It can be used on any data set or any ddname allocated to a data set (real or VIO). You can use the B line command for browsing allocated files. For example, the compress option in the PDF utilities, option 3.1, creates a listing data set that is sometimes allocated to the ISPCTL1. When you press the HELP key after compressing a data set in option 3.1, you might see that the listing was saved in a temporary data set. The B line command in ISRDDN is an easy way to browse that data set.

V - View

Use the V line command to view a data set or concatenation. This is similar to E (Edit) but there is no SAVE command. Use this when you want to view a data set and modify it for easier viewing without risking changes to the data set.

M - Member list

The M command displays an enhanced member list for a data set or concatenation. This gives you greater flexibility in working with allocated data sets. You might use this command when you have several different operations to perform on members.

F - Free

Use the FREE command to free an allocation. The Free command must be specified next to a ddname. F commands next to data sets in a concatenation with an F next to the ddname are ignored because those data sets are removed from the list before the F commands are processed.

The F command uses SVC 99 (dynamic allocation) to free the ddname. However, if SVC 99 cannot free the data set, ISRDDN invokes the TSO FREE command. The TSO FREE command might write a message to the screen with information on why the free failed. This command is useful when you need to free allocations such as those left by prematurely terminated or poorly behaved programs.

C or Z - Compress

Use the COMPRESS command to compress partitioned data sets. The COMPRESS command can be used with data sets that are allocated as shared and can be used next to data set names or ddnames.

I - Information

The I command attempts to invoke the PDF data set information utility to display information about a data set. It can be used next to any real data set name. VIO data sets are not supported. This command can provide information such as the number of allocated directory blocks or a data set's SMS management class, or other information that is not shown by scrolling the Current Data Set Allocations list left or right.

Q - Query ENQs

The Q command shows all SYSDSN and SPFEDIT ENQs that exist for a data set. This command is useful when you want to see what other users or jobs are using a data set you have allocated. Using the Q command provides the same information as using the ENQ primary command and selecting an RNAME of the data set name.

T - Test Directory

The T line command reads the directory of a PDS directly, and performs a BLDL command on each member to see if the BLDL service returns accurate information for the directory. The results are displayed in a separate Browse session. The T command can be used to debug problems such as I/O errors or the need to refresh LLA or other directory caching systems.

K- VTOC Information

The K line command displays VTOC information for the first volume on which the data set resides. The information returned is the same as in the Data Set List utility (option 3.4, command V). You can also view VTOC information by placing the cursor on the volume name and pressing Enter. If the data set is not on a physical volume, the K command does not provide any information.