Sometimes I want to use DS as line command for an active task in SDSF DA (Display Active). DS is a line-command in SYSVIEW which displays the datasets and corresponding DD names allocated to the current task executing in the address space. Such a command does not exist in SDSF and I miss it. This is changing in z/OS version 2.2. The command name is not DS, but JD for Job Ddnames/Datasets.

Actually there is a whole series of new line commands in SDSF DA which gives you some of the functions you may have met in SYSVIEW. Such a line command is JS for Job Steps corresponding to SS in SYSVIEW, and it presents you with an overview of the steps in your job and their return codes. You can actually monitor the progress of your job on the step level. Another new line command is JM which shows you how much memory is consumed by the address space and how it uses the memory. This command is mostly for the hardcore z/OS systems programmer. It is of some interest to see how much memory your job consumes above the 2GB bar, but that is also as far as the fun goes.

In SYSVIEW you can also get a display of all the programs loaded in the address space and how many times. We will still have to wait for that to appear in SDSF alongside the overview of the task structure within the address space. There should of course also be room for improvement in the coming releases of SDSF. When I tested the above commands I discovered a line command called N for eNqueues. It is not a new 2.2 command and gives you a display of the enqueues belonging to the address space. This command can be a good solution until you get access to JD in version 2.2. N shows you the datasets allocated, but not the DD names.

Last but not least there is the challenge of getting access to all these new commands. They can all be protected by RACF. Your access to the commands depends on how your local systems programmer and RACF administrator has decided to protect the commands. Now you know they are out there and thus you are able to order access to them.