Using Access Method Services

You use access method services to define and maintain catalogs. Access method services commands can also be used to define and maintain catalog and non-catalog data sets. For a complete explanation of the usage of access method services, the required JCL, and examples, see z/OS DFSMS Access Method Services Commands z/OS DFSMS Access Method Services Commands.

Table 1 explains the access method services commands that are used with catalogs. For further information about the DEFINE command, see Using the DEFINE Command.

Table 1. Access Method Services Commands for Catalogs
Command	Purpose
ALTER	Alters previously defined catalog entries or certain catalog attributes, including entries for tape volume catalogs.
CREATE	Creates tape library or tape volume entries.
DEFINE	Defines catalog entries.
DEFINE CLUSTER	Defines VVDSs and catalog entries.
DEFINE USERCATALOG	Defines user catalogs including tape volume catalogs (DEFINE USERCATALOG VOLCATALOG).
DELETE	Deletes catalog and VVDS entries, data sets, catalogs, VVDSs, and data set control blocks in the VTOC.
DIAGNOSE	Determines whether the content of BCS or VVDS records is invalid or unsynchronized. Diagnose recognizes tape library and tape volume record types. It checks the cell structure of the volume catalog.
EXAMINE	Determines whether structural errors exist in the index or data component of a BCS.
EXPORT	Creates a backup copy of a catalog or copy that can be moved to another system or volume.
EXPORT DISCONNECT	Disconnects the catalog from the master catalog.
IMPORT	Restores an exported backup copy of a catalog, or makes a catalog that was previously exported from one system available for use in another system.
IMPORT CONNECT	Connects the catalog to the master catalog on the same system, or on any shared system.
LISTCAT	Lists catalog entries including entries for tape volume catalogs.
PRINT	Prints data set or catalog records.
REPRO	Copies catalogs; splits catalog entries between two catalogs; merges catalog entries into another user catalog or master catalog. REPRO supports tape volume catalogs.
VERIFY	Causes a catalog to reflect the end of a data set correctly after an error that prevented closing a catalog data set. The error might cause the catalog to be incorrect.
Restriction: The access method services ALTER, CREATE, and DELETE commands should only be used to recover from tape volume catalog errors. Because access method services cannot change the library manager inventory in an automated tape library, ISMF should be used for normal tape library ALTER, CREATE, and DELETE functions.