What's new in HCL Z Data Tools 17.1

New features and enhancements in V17.1.0, October 2026

This version of Z Data Tools rolls up a number of miscellaneous fixes.
  • HCL Doc IQ, AI-powered search and assistance: With Version 17.1.0 we have integrated an AI-driven chat assistant built directly into the documentation portal. Powered by Agentic RAG and Large Language Models (LLMs), HCL Doc IQ lets you ask technical questions in plain language and receive precise, context-aware answers instantly. The chat assistant eliminaties the need to manually search through topics and search results. All responses are generated exclusively from official product documentation to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability. Simply click the HCL Doc IQ icon in the corner of the portal to get started.
  • Added support for specifying an IMSGROUP to identify the active IMS subsystem in BMP mode. This allows ZDT/IMS to connect to an active IMS subsystem associated with a specified IMSGROUP. See Specifying the IMS Group.
  • Added the IMSGROUP parameter to the Miscellaneous IMS subsystem details to document the support identifying an IMS subsystem by its associated IMSGROUP.
  • Added new topic IMSGROUP=identifier parameter to document the support on the HFM1POPI macro to identify IMS subsystems that belong to an IMSGROUP in BMP mode.
  • Added the LIST parameter to the ZDT/IMS installation options to control which IMS subsystems are included in the ZDT/IMS subsystem selection list. See topic LIST.
  • Added support for DFSESL DD in FM IMS, both for ISPF & Batch edit in BMP Mode. See topic SDSNLOADn.
  • Updated the IMS and ZDT/IMS datasets table to document the SDSNLOAD dataset parameter and indicate that it cannot be overridden. See table IMS and ZDT/IMS data sets.
  • Updated the following topics to document support for specifying an IMSGROUP as the IMS subsystem name in BMP mode. ZDT/IMS connects to the first active IMS subsystem associated with the specified IMSGROUP.
  • Added new Z Data Tools IMS Messages. See topic Z Data Tools IMS Messages.
  • Added a new topic to document the use of compiler via security profiles. See topic Controlling the Use of the Compiler via Security Profiles.
  • Updated SHOWPLI command section to describe the output messages. See topic Customizing for processing PL/I include books.
  • Added documentation for the DB2ALIB option, including its syntax, purpose, and usage requirements for supporting the GEN command externally with Db2 Administration Tool® load libraries.
  • Updated the PLAN2 option documentation to clarify its relationship with DB2ALIB, including the requirement to specify the plan name when DB2ALIB is used.
  • Updated the restriction in the IMS management of ACBs section. Clarified that ZDT/IMS requires IMS APAR PH40873 (PTF UO06108) to access logical databases in an IMS-managed ACB environment. See IMS management of ACBs.
  • Clarified the preference of the Z Data Tools internal PL/I compilers over the licensed site compiler and documented how to select the internal compiler version using the ALTPLI option. Added a table that documents the order of precedence for internal and external PL/I compilers. See topic Customizing for processing PL/I include books.
  • Enhanced the SHOWPLI command documentation to explain that the command identifies whether Z Data Tools is using the internal or external PL/I compiler. Added the batch and ISPF output messages that indicate which PL/I compiler is in use, including the message displayed when a licensed PL/I compiler is used. See SHOWPLI command.
  • Added new topics under to document how to use and configure a licensed site PL/I compiler, including LINKLIST and batch JCL skeleton configuration, APF authorization requirements, and suppression of PL/I compiler warning messages.

    See topics: Using a licensed site PL/I compiler, Adding the PL/I compiler library to the LINKLIST, Adding the PL/I compiler library to the batch JCL skeletons, Authorizing the PL/I compiler library for batch processing, and Suppressing PL/I compiler warning messages.

  • Added information about the FILEM.PLI.EXTERNAL FACILITY class profile to control use of the licensed site PL/I compiler, including RACF access requirements and handling of RACROUTE STATUS=ACCESS requests. See topic Controlling the use of the PL/I compiler.
  • Updated Changing the JCL skeleton for batch mode to document how to configure the STEPLIB DD statement for a licensed PL/I compiler and how to use the FMNPLI DD DUMMY statement to force the Z Data Tools internal PL/I compiler.
  • Added a new feature to the Z Data Tools User's Guide and Reference that allows users to use the SHOWPLI command to identify the PL/I compiler currently used by Z Data Tools. See topic Checking which PL/I compiler you are using.
  • Updated the topic Edit model example: JCL that calls the DSC function to document how to configure the PL/I compiler library in STEPLIB and how to force use of the Z Data Tools PL/I compiler.
  • Updated the documentation for the IGNLEN option to clarify that record length mismatches include records that are shorter or longer than the corresponding template structure. See topics DSM (Data Set Compare), DSEB (Data Set Edit Batch) -- batch only, DSP (Data Set Print), and DSC (Data Set Copy).
  • Updated message FMNBA710 to clarify that both compare sets can be empty even when the input data sets contain records. See topic Z Data Tools messages.
  • Added new topic SHOWPLI primary command to document how to display information about the PL/I compiler currently being used by Z Data Tools.
  • Z Data Tools now supports Copying to and from VSAM Database data sets.