You can retrieve a generation using JCL procedures. Any operation that can be applied to a nongeneration data set can be applied to a generation data set. For example, a generation data set can be updated and reentered in the catalog, or it can be copied, printed, punched, or used in the creation of new generation or nongeneration data sets.

You can retrieve a generation data set by using either relative generation numbers or absolute generation and version numbers.

Refer to generation data sets that are in a deferred roll-in state by their relative number, such as (+1), within the job that allocates it. Refer to generation data sets that are in a deferred roll-in state by their absolute generation number (GxxxxVyy) in subsequent jobs.