technical: Secrets In SYS1.SAMPLIB

It's no surprise that software vendors often provide samples: sample code, JCL or scripts to show you how to get the most out of their product. For z/OS, the sample dataset is SYS1.SAMPLIB, and every z/OS system has one.

But at over 1000 members, SYS1.SAMPLIB has a lot of stuff. This includes around 71 REXX execs, 325 Assembler programs, 493 JCL, and 74 C programs and declares. But what exactly is in here? Let's look at my top 5.

5. Handy Assembler

SYS1.SAMPLIB includes handy assembler source to do all sorts of things. For example, IEAMDBLG is an assembler program to convert OPERLOG to SYSLOG format and delete OPERLOG records. IXGR1A can translate a TOD clock string obtained using STCK, and HZSSCHKR shows how to write an assembler z/OS Health Check. GFSAPSMF formats z/OS NFS SMF records, and SHOWPPT shows all PPT entries.

There are some sample exits as well. IEEACTRT is a sample IEFACTRT exit used by many sites to format job output, and IEEU29 is a well-used exit to automatically dump SMF datasets when they fill up.

4. Operator Console ISPF Application

Take a look at the IEATOPSD member, and you'll see a description of an ISPF application that can be used to issue and view z/OS console messages. It states that the code is not 'production quality' but includes installation instructions for a fully functional ISPF application.

3. Catalog Search Interface

The z/OS Catalog Search Interface (CSI) is a high-performance way to find out catalog information. The IGGCSI* members include sample assembler and REXX samples to call the CSI.

2. DFSORT and RACF

If you don't have access to fancy products like IBM zSecure and Vanguard Administrator, you need another way to search through RACF information to find out what you need: like all the userids that are expired, or all dataset profiles with UACC(UPDATE).

The IRRICE member is an IEBUPDTE format of several batch jobs that use DFSORT and ICETOOL to produce reports about RACF. These reports include a list of all certificates, a list of all users using automatic command redirection, and userids with an excessive number of incorrect passwords.

1. GRS ENQ Monitor

z/OS provides a free ENQ/RESERVE/DEQ monitoring tool. Documented in z/OS documentation, everything you need for this monitor is in SAMPLIB members beginning with 'ISG': jobs to enable it, jobs to produce reports, and parameter libraries to limit what is being monitored.

Conclusion

We've only touched on the many amazing things hidden in SYS1.SAMPLIB. Most of these are documented in z/OS documentation: searching this documentation for the string 'SAMPLIB' is a great way of exploring what it has to offer.

David Stephens

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