MVSFORUMS.com

[cobcurious]

Hi,
Though,I have given a search on concatenation,I did not find satisfactory answers,Please tell me how can we concatenate "unlike" datasets.A sample code showing how to concatenate unlike datatsets would be of great help.
I have gone through IBM book manager and read the topic on concatenating unlike dataset..but didnt understand much..Waiting for your replies
Thanks
Cobcurious

[MikeBaker]

Cobcurious,

It would be helpful if you would clarify exactly what it is that you are trying to do, and tell us the details about these "unlike" datasets, and exactly what program or utility you intend to try and read them with. And why is it that you cannot just simply add another JCL step to reformat one or more of the files??

The MVS JCL Reference & Guides are quite clear about this, detailing what to do for different BLKSIZEs and LRECLs.

However the manual "DFSMS Using Datasets" is more low-level, giving details for processing unlike files with Assembler. You switch on one of the bits inside the DCB, and add some extra processing. It is not difficult, however it is an unusual way to process files. Most Assembler programmers would probably reformat the "unlike" files in a JCL step, rather than tinker around needlessly like this.

[Brian]

CobCurious,

"Unlike" has a lot of hidden meanings associated with it. A PS and a VSAM file is considered unlike. Plz be specific about what you meant by unlike.

Cheers
Brian