Comparing data sets without using a template

A “simple” compare: all data in the “Old” data set is compared with that in the “New” data set, with only the limited additional options that you can specify on the Compare Utility (option 3.11) panel (for example, you can specify the number of records to be compared).

To perform a compare between data sets:

  1. From the Primary Options menu, select the Compare Utility (option 3.11).

    The Compare Utility - “Old” data set entry panel (Figure 1) is displayed.

  2. Specify the “Old” data set information.
  3. Set your record-level selection, using the following fields:
    Start key
    If required, specify a Start key for the data (VSAM only). The comparison starts at the first record with a key or slot number greater than or equal to the specified value. If the key contains lowercase characters, blanks, or commas, enclose it in quotation marks. Keys may also be in hexadecimal format (e.g. X'0102').
    Skip count
    If required, specify a Skip Count for the data. The comparison starts after skipping the number of records specified in the field.
    Compare count
    Specify the number of records to be compared. Enter ALL to compare all records.
    Note: The Start key and Skip count fields are mutually exclusive.
  4. Select 3. None in the Copybook/template usage field.
    Note: When this field is set to None, data in the Copybook or Template Data set name and Member fields is ignored.
  5. If you want to run this process as a batch job, select the Batch execution option.
  6. If required, select the Use I/O exit option to run a user I/O exit that processes the “Old” (input) data set in conjunction with the compare action. If selected, specify the exit name in the adjacent field.
    Note: This option is only available when File Manager is installed with the option USEIOX=ENABLE, and the Exit enabled field in the Set System Processing Options panel is set to YES. If a default is specified with either of those options, it is displayed in the field to the right of Use I/O exit.
  7. Press Enter. The Compare Utility - “New” data set entry panel is displayed.
  8. Specify the “New” data set, Start key, Skip count, Compare count and Use I/O exit fields as required for the “New” data set and press Enter.

    The Compare Utility - Options panel is displayed.

  9. Set the Compare type to 1. Record (you cannot use the Formatted option unless you have specified a template for both the “Old” and “New” data sets).
  10. Select your Listing type from the available options.
  11. If you have selected a listing type of Long, you can choose to exclude certain categories of records from the output report by selecting one or more of the Long Report options:
    • To exclude inserted records from the report, select Inserted.
    • To exclude deleted records from the report, select Deleted.
    • To exclude changed records from the report, select Changed.
    • To exclude matched records from the report, select Matched.
  12. If required, select the Clear print data set option. This option overrides your current Print DISP setting but has no effect if File Manager print output is not directed to a data set.
  13. If required, select the Create result data sets option to create one or more output data sets containing the results of the compare process. (You specify the output data sets on the subsequent Output Data Sets panel.)
    Note: If you have selected the synchronization option, Read-ahead, this option is ignored.
  14. Select your Listing options from the list.
  15. If your data is in a sequential data set or PDS or PDSE member, is in ISPF PACK format and you have not specified an I/O exit, you can select an ISPF Packing option.
    1. Unpack
    Select this option when you want File Manager to unpack the data before any user processing or comparison occurs.
    2. None
    Select this option when you do not want File Manager to detect the ISPF PACK format and to operate on any packed data in its packed format.

    This is the only valid option when your data is not a sequential or PDS data set, or when the Use I/O exit option has been used.

    3. Skip
    Select this option when you want File Manager to detect data in ISPF PACK format and stop any processing or comparison for the data set or member.
  16. If required, in Number of differences to report, specify the maximum number of differences (found in the compare operation) that you want reported.
  17. Note: When you compare data sets without using a template, the Template Reporting Options on the Compare Utility - Options panel have no effect.
  18. Press Enter.

    If you selected Read Ahead or Keyed Synchronization, the relevant panel for that option is displayed. Complete the details as instructed above and press Enter again to continue.

    The comparison operation is performed and the results are displayed on the screen.

    If you selected “Batch Execution”, the result is an ISPF Edit session containing the generated JCL and File Manager control statements to execute the requested comparison.

    If you did not select the “Batch Execution” Processing Option, the result is a report. This might be directed to the print data set or elsewhere depending upon your Print PRINTOUT setting.

    Note: For best viewing when you are comparing wide files using the Wide listing and Show hex chars options, set your PRINTOUT to SYSOUT=C. This prevents the report lines from wrapping around on the screen.
  19. If the report has been displayed online, press the Exit function key (F3) to return to the Compare Utility - “Old” Data Set Entry panel.

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