About this document

This document provides guidance and reference information for users of IBM® File Manager for z/OS® working with QSAM data sets, VSAM data sets, IAM data sets, PDS members, WebSphere MQ queues, or HFS files. (Throughout this document, the z/OS® UNIX file systems, HFS and zFS, are referred to as "HFS".)

File Manager for z/OS® contains four flavors of File Manager, for working in different environments or with different data formats:

  • File Manager base function, for working with QSAM data sets, VSAM data sets, IAM data sets, PDS members, WebSphere MQ queues, CICS® resources, or HFS files. You can access these data sources through the File Manager for z/OS® ISPF interface or the File Manager for z/OS® Plug-in for Eclipse.
  • IBM® File Manager for z/OS® Db2® component (FM/Db2)
  • IBM® File Manager for z/OS® IMS component (FM/IMS)
  • IBM® File Manager for z/OS® CICS® component (FM/CICS)

This document describes the File Manager Base component. In the rest of this document, the term File Manager refers only to the Base component, not to the Db2®, IMS, or CICS® components.

This document is divided into three parts:

Part 1. Working with File Manager
Introduces key concepts, provides step-by-step instructions on how to perform tasks using the ISPF panel interface, and describes how to use File Manager functions in batch jobs, REXX procedures, or TSO CLISTs. The information is presented in a task-based format, with panel, field, command, and function definitions provided when they are relevant to the current task. For a complete description of a particular panel, field, command, or function, refer to the appropriate chapter in Part 2. File Manager Reference.

Part 1 can be used both as a learning tool for new users and as a way to quickly find specific task instructions.

Part 2. File Manager Reference
  1. Panel and field reference: Lists all of the File Manager panels, provides a definition for each field in the panel and, where applicable, lists the value ranges that are valid for each field.
  2. Command reference: Describes the syntax, usage, and equivalent function for each primary command.
  3. Function reference: Describes the syntax, usage, and available parameters for each File Manager function.

Both new and experienced users of File Manager can use Part 2 to quickly look up such things as the syntax of a command or function, or the acceptable values for a field in a panel.

Part 3. Appendixes
The appendixes include the File Manager Base component messages and the template XML reference.

Prerequisite and related information

File Manager documentation also supports the following tasks:

Planning for, installing, customizing, and maintaining File Manager
Refer first to the File Manager for z/OS Customization Guide which may then refer you to the File Manager Program Directory for more information.
Using other File Manager components
For information about the Db2®, IMS, and CICS® components, refer to these documents:
  • File Manager for z/OS User’s Guide and Reference for DB2 Data
  • File Manager User’s Guide and Reference for IMS Data
  • File Manager User’s Guide and Reference for CICS
When using any File Manager component under ISPF, you can also refer to the online help.