Finding and changing data in multiple PDS members

When you need to search for or change a string in more than one PDS member, the Find/Change Utility provides an efficient way to work with multiple members. You can use the panel to select and refine a list of data set members, then enter FIND or CHANGE commands on the Command line. While you can use this utility to find and change data in VSAM and sequential data sets, it might be simpler to make changes in these types of data sets via the Edit panel.

You can also use the Find/Change Utility in conjunction with a REXX procedure, allowing you to create sophisticated find and change routines.

When you specify a PDS, File Manager allows you to search for or change a string across a list of selected members within the PDS. When working with compressed non-VSAM extended format data sets (compressed PSE data sets), the CHANGE command is not supported, however, the FIND command can be used.

The overall process for using this utility is to:

  1. Select the Find/Change Utility option from the Utility Functions panel. The Find/Change Utility panel (shown in Figure 1) is displayed.
  2. Build a list of PDS members to be processed (or specify a single VSAM or sequential data set).
  3. Specify the number of records to be searched in each data set or PDS(E) member.
  4. Specify where a listing of the results of your changes is to be stored.
  5. Select your processing options.
  6. Enter a FIND or CHANGE command in the Command line or specify a REXX procedure to be used.
  7. Press Enter to process the panel and command.
    Note: If your PDS data set list has over 1,000 members or your sequential data set has over 10,000 records, you will see a progress indicator in the upper right corner of the screen, displaying the count of members or records processed in the FIND or CHANGE action. For example:
    Figure 1. Progress indicator showing PDS members
      Process   Options   Help
 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 File Manager                 Find/Change Utility        2000/4887 mbrs read...

 Input Partitioned, Sequential or VSAM Data Set, or HFS file:
    Data set/path name  . MANYMBR2                                      
       Member . . . . . . *            (Blank - selection, pattern - process list)
       Volume serial  . .              (If not cataloged)
       Record count . . . ALL          (Number of records to be searched)

    When the command has finished running, the Listing data set, showing the results of your command, is displayed in a Browse session.

  8. Press F3 to return to the Find/Change Utility panel.