Understanding and Processing LISTCAT Output

In a z/OS system, the catalog keeps track of every dataset, cluster, path, alias, generation dataset, tape library, and more. A record for virtually every important entity in the system is present in the z/OS catalog. The LISTCAT function of IDCAMS is the key to selecting, filtering, and displaying this catalog information. Because the format of each type of catalog record is different, the format of the data output by LISTCAT can also be very different depending upon the type of information requested; understanding the details of LISTCAT output is therefore an important z/OS skill. The LISTCAT output for a VSAM cluster, for example, contains much different and more detailed information than that for an ordinary sequential dataset or alias.

This month, we dove into some of the important types of LISTCAT output as well as discussed how you can post-process LISTCAT results to aggregate information and produce easy-to-read, comprehensive reports.

Simply fill out the form to view the webinar and/or download a PDF of the presentation.