To position to the beginning of a specific member, you must issue a FIND macro. The next input or output operation begins processing at the point set by FIND. The FIND macro lets you search a concatenated series of PDSE and PDS directories when you supply a DCB opened for the concatenated data set.

There are two ways you can direct the system to the right member when you use the FIND macro. Specify the address of an area containing the name of the member, or specify the address of the TTRk field of the entry in a BLDL list you have created, by using the BLDL macro. k is the concatenation number of the data set containing the member. In the first case, the system searches the directory of the data set to connect to the member. In the second case, no search is required, because the relative track address is in the BLDL list entry.

FIND by name or TTR establishes a connection to the specific PDSE member. Connections established by name remain until positioning is established to another member. Connections established by TTR remain until CLOSE.

FIND by name and generation positions to a specific generation for a member.

If the data set is open for output, close it and reopen it for input or update processing before issuing the FIND macro.

If you have insufficient access authority (RACF execute authority), or if the share options are violated, the FIND macro fails.

Related reading: See Sharing PDSEs for a description of the share options permitted for PDSEs.