File Aid

GENERAL INFORMATION
Designed for applications and systems programmers, File-AID is an interactive, fullscreen system for editing, browsing, defining, copying, reformatting, comparing, and
printing VSAM, IAM, ISAM, PDS, BDAM, and sequential files under TSO/ISPF.
KEY FEATURES
File-AID's functions enable you to significantly reduce the time required to perform dayto-day data file manipulation tasks such as creating and modifying test data, resolving
production data
Problems and performing ad-hoc file conversions and comparisons.
KEY FEATURES:
o Eliminates ISPF editing restrictions
- provides on-line editing of sequential, BDAM, PDS, ISAM, IAM, and VSAM files
using formatted, full-screen displays
- eliminates record length restriction
- eliminates file size restriction by using selection criteria to limit the number of
records to be edited
- supports files in compressed/encrypted format (with I/O exits)
- provides optional audit trail of all records updated, inserted, and deleted while
editing a data file
o Uses existing COBOL or PL/I record layouts directly
- the record layout is the sole definition of files thus eliminating the need to redefine
the file/data in another language
- superimposing the record layout over raw data brings meaning to that data
- files may be printed in a formatted manner using the record layout
o Has powerful, easy to use, copying and reformatting capabilities
- these capabilities exist in both batch and on-line modes
- no language to learn and no programming required
- records may be selected for copying using selection criteria based on record counts
and/or specific values in individual fields
- selection criteria can be used in the Browse, Edit, Copy, Print, or Compare
functions
o Runs as a single dialog under ISPF
- uses menu-driven, full-screen, interactive ISPF-like displays
- has user defined PF (program function) key support
- can operate "split-screen" with ISPF/PDF
- easy to learn and use
- a fully interactive product with batch capabilities
- executes in storage available above the 16 megabyte line on systems running
MVS/XA or MVS/ESA

BROWSE/EDIT MODE - INITIAL DATA DISPLAY MODE

Four styles of data display are available when viewing your data file
records: C (Character), F (Formatted), V (Vertical format), U (Unformatted).
The MODE field lets you choose the display style you want to see first.
After the initial display, you use commands (CHAR, FMT, VFMT, UNFMT) to
switch your display mode as often as you like. Valid MODE values,
switching commands and restrictions are as follows:
C CHARACTER - Full screen ISPF-like display of records, one record per
line. Overtype data to make changes. Use HEX command to view hex
values. Use FMT command to switch to formatted mode, VFMT to switch
to vertical formatted mode, UNFMT command to switch to unformatted
mode. Use line and primary commands to work with data.
V VERTICAL - Requires a single record layout only. Like character, a
full screen display of data, one record per line, but data is described by the record layout
provided. Use CHAR to switch to character mode, FMT to switch to formatted mode, UNFMT
to switch to unformatted mode. Use HEX command to view hex values.
F FORMATTED - Requires a single record layout or XREF. Display of one

record with each record layout field on one line alongside of the
record data for that field. Scroll DOWN to see additional layout
fields. Scroll RIGHT and LEFT to see other data records. Use CHAR
to switch to character mode, VFMT to switch to vertical mode, UNFMT to
switch to unformatted mode. Use primary commands only to work with
data. Special commands are provided for formatting "segmented"
records by using different layouts for each section of each record.
U UNFORMATTED - Display your data one record at a time without a record
layout. 70 characters of data are displayed per line until all data
for the record is shown or the screen is filled. Use CHAR to switch

Verticak Format

Character Format.

Formatted Format.

UnFormated.

Browsing the Dataset Using File-Aid.

If Specific selection Criteria is Quick and the following screen is thrown.

If Specific criteria is Temporary the following screen is thrown.

The following screen is the selection criteria on which record and where the search sterts.

Data in dataset--

The following screen is for Editing Dataset and all remaining screens are similar to Browse.

Utilities.

This screen gives all the options of Allocation of dataset.

Copy Utilities.

Produces list of volumes of VSAM datasets.

This Utility is for VSAM datasets.

This is search Utility same as SEARCH in 3.13 on Mainframe TSO.

Gives list of all PDS members.

Gives the list of all Volume (Tapes) Datsets.

This function creates and maintains existing File-AID Record

Layout Cross References. These XREF's are used to match record layouts to
data records in File-AID functions that use formatting.

Viewing Record Layout.

Compares the Two datasets.