Defining a Reference data set selection list

A reference data set list is an additional selection list that is made available as follows.

A reference data set selection list is defined by creating a data set that describes the reference data sets used by an individual user or group of users. Each line of the data set or member (for partitioned data sets) must contain an existing data set name as the first word, followed by an optional description of what the data set contains. The reference data set list is made visible to the enhanced reference dialog by allocating the data set with the DD name FMNLREFS to the TSO/ISPF session. If the DD is allocated, then the history selection for the reference data set includes the option to select from the list of data sets defined in this data set.

Example

A reference member called REFLIST in FMN.TASKS.REFS is defined with the following lines:

FMN.APAR.REFS                APARs and Internal tasks
FMN.SALES.FORCE.REFS         Sales force tasks
FMN.TASKS.REFS               General Tasks

ISPF option 6 is used to allocate the reference list as follows:
ALLOC FI(FMNLREFS) DA(‘FMN.TASKS.REFS(REFLIST)’) SHR REUSE

Note: This could be done using any number of methods including FMNELIBD (which can be customized to specify an FMNLREFS value), logon commands, or via TSO logon procedures.

Enter the EL command and blank out the data set name.

  Process                                                                       
 ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 
 File Manager               Enhanced Reference List             Row 1 to 3 of 3 
 Command ===>                                                                                      Scroll CSR  
                                                                                
 Data set name                                                                                                                                                
 Member pattern                                                                            
   Name     Description                              Date Changed      User     
   DEFAULT  Default search member                    2023/08/25 10:09  TYRONED  
 ******************************* Bottom of data ********************************

Press Enter.

Process                                                                       
 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 
 File Manager             History Reference Data sets         Row 1 to 17 of 26 
 Command ===>                                                       Scroll CSR  
   Select from Reference Data Set List                                          
   Data set name                                                                
    FMN.DEMOGSE.REFS

Position the cursor to Select from Reference Data Set List and press Enter to select from the reference data set list.

  Process                                                                       
                                                                                                             
 File Manager    Reference Data Set List                        Row 1 to 4 of 4 
 Command ===>                                                                                     Scroll CSR  
   Select from history                                                          
   Data set name                                Description                     
   FMN.APAR.REFS                                APARs and internal tasks       
   FMN.SALES.FORCE.REFS                         Sales force tasks               
   FMN.TASKS.REFS                               General tasks  
 ******************************* Bottom of data ********************************