Generally initializing and loading procedures

Before you use the ISPF interface to make additions or corrections to the routing and options files, you need to initialize and load the files first. The NPF VSAM files can be initialized only by using the EZAPPFL macro in a batch process.

Procedure

Perform these following steps to initiate the files.

Define the files using IDCAMS.
A sample that you can copy and modify is provided with the installation. See Joint allocation of NPF VSAM files.

Make note of the data set names you specify in this step and use them in the JCL for all other NPF jobs.
Code the EZAPPFL macro to define the load program. Use the macro with TYPE=INITIAL and MODE=LOAD and then issue a second macro with TYPE=FINAL to initialize the records. Optionally, use the macro with TYPE=ROUTING, TYPE=NXTDEST, and TYPE=OPTIONS to load routing and options records. See the syntax descriptions and examples in Running the EZAPPFL macro.
Run a job stream to assemble the macros and link and run the load program. See the sample shown in Initialization of the NPF VSAM files.
The program uses the following ddnames. These will be consistent in the JCL for all other NPF jobs.
ddname

File

EZAPPRF

Routing

EZAPPOF

Options

EZAPPQF

Queue

Results

After the files have been initialized, you can add records to the options and routing files using the EZAPPFL macro or the NPF ISPF interface. The queue file is under system control and you cannot add records to it. The NPF ISPF interface allows you to view, modify, and delete queue file records so that you can administer your print queues.

There are two steps to the EZAPPFL macro update process:

Code the EZAPPFL macro to define the update program. Use TYPE=INITIAL with MODE=UPDATE, TYPE=ROUTING, TYPE=NXTDEST, TYPE=OPTIONS and TYPE=FINAL.
Run a job stream to assemble the macros, and then link and run the update program. See the sample shown in Adding records to the NPF VSAM files.

To interactively update the routing and options files and manage the print queues, see Maintaining the Network Print Facility files with ISPF.