Tags
3.4, DATASET, dsn, dsname, EDIT, go, JCL, macro, MAINFRAMES, mainrame, OPEN, rexx, substitute, symbolic, to, tool, UTILITY
We have scenarios where we want to open a dataset right from the JCL (without going to 3.4) during our analysis. Sometimes we do have symbolic in the dataset name in the JCL. We must identify what the symbolic value is, substitute it and then go to 3.4 to open a dataset. This REXX tool helps you in your analysis.
You can place cursor at any position on the line where you have dataset name in the JCL (which obviously is preceded by DSNAME= or DSN=) and use this tool to open the dataset right there without going to 3.4. Good thing is it also substitutes all symbolic from the JCL for you.
Tool Link
You need to place this tool in the REXX EXEC that is added to the dataset which is part of your SYSEXEC/SYSPROC. This post REXX – INITIAL SETUP tells you on how to do your initial setup.
Then after your are in the JCL, type KEYS on command line and hit enter, you will see list of commands assigned to each PF key. Assign the new REXX TOOL name (in our case VIEWDSN) to a PF key (I used F4), now hit PF3 to go back to JCL. Now place your cursor on the line where you have your dataset to be viewed and hit that PF key (in my case, PF4) and voila, your dataset is opened.
For more REXX tools, look at the post Top Mainframe REXX Tools
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F1 for Mainframe 
Is the tool missing?
Thank you.. I attached a link to the tool now..
Hello Sir !! i am a Beginner in Rexx so in my old assignments we used to have tools to view PS and PDS files directly from JCL, we give BCSR(Browse) and EDSR(Edit) in command line and place the cursor in file name . if the file is precceeded by DSN= the file gets opened but now in my current assignment these two tools which are very useful are not available ,
So the Tool which u have attached above covers this requirement ? does the code in the entire doc serves this requirement
Thanks in advance !!
Yes, this tool would satisfy your requirements. Please you ensure to setup the tool correctly as explained in the post. Thanks.