Services and Utilities for UNIX Files

The following services and utilities work with UNIX files:

RDJFCB macro

Use the RDJFCB macro with the IHAARL and IHAARA mapping macros to retrieve the path name, options, or mode for a UNIX directory or file.

Programs that print or process the names of data sets see a dummy name of ...PATH=.SPECIFIED... for each DD statement for a UNIX directory or file.

Issue the RDJFCB macro to obtain the directory file name. The RDJFCB macro returns the filename in the allocation retrieval area (ARA) if you pass an allocation retrieval list (ARL).

DEVTYPE macro

If PATH is specified in the DD statement, DEVTYPE returns a return code of 0, a UCBTYP simulated value of X'00000103', and a maximum block size of 32␠760. Before DFSMS/MVS 1.3, BSAM and QSAM did not support UNIX files and DEVTYPE gave return code 8 for a UNIX file.

Relative track address (TTR) convert routines

When called for a UNIX file, the TTR convert routines return the input value without performing conversion.

You can use ISPF Browse or Edit or the OBROWSE command with UNIX files.

Related reading: For more information on these services and utilities, see z/OS DFSMSdfp Advanced Services.