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GDG generation define and reference..


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quanzhong

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:03 pm
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Hi,
now i am meeting a problem..
in my job can be seen as follows in short.
Code:

step1  //*create a GDG generation refered by program.
//ABSO     DD  DSN=&HLQ..CMS.ABSO.S&BSEG..BKP(+1),
//             DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),           
//             UNIT=&DISK,SPACE=(CYL,(10,10)),     
//             DCB=(&GDGMOD,RECFM=VB,LRECL=2307)   
//*
......
step5
......
step9 //*use that generation
//ABSI     DD  DSN=&HLQ..CMS.ABSO.S&BSEG..BKP(+1),DISP=OLD
......

unfortunately, my job failed at step5, after getting through all mistakes,
i restarted that job, but job failed again at step9...with collegue's suggestion, I override that statement.
Code:

//ABSI     DD  DSN=&HLQ..CMS.ABSO.S&BSEG..BKP(+0),DISP=OLD

and i got what wanted... though the problem had resolved, but i want to know why, and how to avoid that kind of mistake.

as the job spool has been cleared, so I couldn't provide the error message.. Hope that you all can get my problem..
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expat

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:08 pm
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The relative generation is +1 for the whole job. Once the job ends or abends the +1 then becomes 0 for any restart / reun of the job.
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hchinnam

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:13 pm
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quanzhong wrote:


unfortunately, my job failed at step5, after getting through all mistakes,
i restarted that job,



I guess you would have restarted the JOB after STEP1. So the GDG numbers are updated with the version created in previous run (Run that has failed). When you restart the JOB there is no +1 version (as it has already been made version 0). So it has failed.
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quanzhong

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:15 pm
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Hi,
can you provide a link on GDG? thanks..
It seems that related material is very limited.
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expat

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:22 pm
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hchinnam

Quote:
I guess you would have restarted the JOB after STEP1. So the GDG numbers are updated with the version created in previous run (Run that has failed). When you restart the JOB there is no +1 version (as it has already been made version 0). So it has failed.

The correct terminology is GENERATION not version.

These two terms are perfectly valid in reference to GDS but with completely different meanings. Please use the correct terms when addressing a question, because if you do not know what you are talking about how can anyone else be expected to.
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superk

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:25 pm
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3.10 Chapter 29. Processing Generation Data Groups from the z/OS V1R7.0 DFSMS Using Data Sets manual.

APPENDIX1.2 Appendix B. Generation Data Sets from the z/OS V1R6.0 MVS JCL User's Guide.
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hchinnam

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:28 pm
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expat,

point noted.

However one quick question. Do you know when VERSION number of a GDG generation changes. I never seen one with a value other then zero.
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superk

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:50 pm
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hchinnam wrote:
However one quick question. Do you know when VERSION number of a GDG generation changes. I never seen one with a value other then zero.


From the above links:

Quote:

The number of generations and versions is limited by the number of digits in the absolute generation name; that is, there can be 9,999 generations. Each generation can have 100 versions.
The system automatically maintains the generation number. The number of generations kept depends on the size of the generation index. For example, if the size of the generation index permits ten entries, the ten latest generations can be maintained in the GDG.

The version number lets you perform normal data set operations without disrupting the management of the GDG. For example, if you want to update the second generation in a 3-generation group, replace generation 2, version 0, with generation 2, version 1. Only one version is kept for each generation.

You can catalog a generation using either absolute or relative numbers. When a generation is cataloged, a generation and version number is placed as a low-level entry in the GDG. To catalog a version number other than V00, you must use an absolute generation and version number.

You can catalog a new version of a specific generation automatically by specifying the old generation number along with a new version number. For example, if generation A.B.C.G0005V00 is cataloged and you now create and catalog A.B.C.G0005V01, the new entry is cataloged in the location previously occupied by A.B.C.G0005V00.
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hchinnam

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:53 pm
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Thanks Kevin
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quanzhong

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:19 pm
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Hi superk

thanks.
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Arun Raj

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:21 pm
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Kevin,

Got a bit confused between these....... icon_rolleyes.gif

Quote:
Each generation can have 100 versions.

Quote:
Only one version is kept for each generation.

Thanks,
Arun
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Anuj Dhawan

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 1:07 am
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Arun,

In GxxxxVyy, "yy" can have values from "00" to "99" so in total 100 differnt versions mathematically, but only one version (in SMS) can exist for a given GDG.

If generation A.B.C.G0005V00 is cataloged and you now create and catalog A.B.C.G0005V01, the new entry is cataloged in the location previously occupied by A.B.C.G0005V00. The old entry is removed from the catalog, to make room for the newer version, and may or may not be scratched depending on what limit processing options are specified for the GDG base.

For SMS DSNs, if scratch is specified, the older version is scratched from the volume. If noscratch is specified, or if the attempt to scratch the DSCB fails, the older version is not scratched and the generation data sets is recataloged as a non-VSAM data set with the GnnnnVnn name not associated with the GDG base.

Try allocating a new "version" for an existing GDG & look the entris in 3.4, things will be rather clear.

For non-SMS DSNs, if noscratch is specified for the base, the older GDS version is not scratched.
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quanzhong

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:19 am
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Hi, Anuj
now i have a question, in what situation cause to the change of GDG version, update? rename? or other ways.. and want to know GDG version's advantage.. because we seldom see other version but ***v00.
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dick scherrer

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:16 am
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Hello,

It is probably enough to know that is such a thing as a version. It is not something you are likely to use for your work. I would surely not look for some "problem" that required me to use this "solution".

I don't know that there is any "advantage". It is just a feature - one that is not often used. As you mentioned: "because we seldom see other version but ***v00".

It is probably most important to remember that these are Generation Data Sets and when a new entry is cataloged (+1), this is a new generation icon_smile.gif
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expat

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 2:49 pm
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I must admit that in 30+ years on IBM mainframes I can honestly admit to never ever using a version of a GDS.
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Anuj Dhawan

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:07 am
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Hi,

Dick & Expat has given the best suggestion, well, for my .02 cents ..read on..

The files within a GDG are assigned names derived from the name of the base and have a generation number added to the end so as to give each file an unique name. For example if the GDG base is called PROD.XXXXXX.INPUT then the first file created within this GDG will be given the name PROD.XXXXXX.INPUT.G0001V00 and subsequent files will be named by incrementing the generation number giving filenames ending in G0002V00, G0003V00, etc. all the way to G9999V00 after which the numbering will start again from G0001V00. The two zeroes on the end of the name used to represent a volume number which is used when the file is stored on media requiring the use of multiple volumes. Since multi-volume storage is now rarely required the last two digits are now usually used for version control instead.

You can use the number on the end of the filename to create a replacement dataset within a GDG without overwriting the original file. For example if PROD.XXXXXX.INPUT.G0013V00 exists and you create PROD.XXXXXX.INPUT.G0013V01 then both files will exist with only the last one created being attached to the GDG. This is effectively the same as creating two ordinary datasets except that one of them also belongs to a GDG. Of course if you then delete and recreate PROD.XXXXXX.INPUT.G0013V00 then this will be the one belonging to the GDG (since it was the last one created) so you can't rely on the volume number to tell you which one belongs to the GDG. With a properly created multi-volume GDG (that is one created using a relative record number rather than a full name) all of the volumes belong to the GDG and the full name including the volume number is only used internally to GDG processing when creating the volumes in the first place and you only see it when you are reading the dataset back in and the system needs to ask for you to mount the next volume
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helga

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:34 am
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I'd dispute this.

Either using relative generation numbers or explicit GooVoo numbers, you can only have one version of a generation a GDG - in the catalog at least.

That is to say that if you have A.B.C.G0003V00 and you explicitely create A.B.C.G0003V01, then the V00 is removed.



As for the reason for version numbers, I think it's quite simple, you might have a GDG that runs in a monthly job, so G0001 is Jan, G0002 is Feb etc, well if your Feb run abends and you rerun with (+1) then G0003 now applies to Feb. In this case, you might make G0002V01 to maintain consistency.

Likewise, knowing that (-3) is the file from three months ago might be important, but is not something you can rely on if when you restart jobs, you use (+1). Restarting with icremented version umbers and not generation numbers would avoind this problem.



What I'd like to know, and I'm sure I've done it before, is ... How can I specifically create a new version of the current generation?
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dick scherrer

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:06 am
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Hello,

Quote:
How can I specifically create a new version of the current generation?
I believe you already answered your question (unless i misunderstand icon_smile.gif ).

Let's say the current generation is G0003V00. Then
Quote:
you explicitely create A.B.C.G0003V01
If i've misunderstood, please let me know and we'll get it right.
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helga

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:11 am
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yes, it was poorly worded, but there's no Edit button ???


I meant, create a version using relative numbers like A.B.C(+0+1)


I thought I had done something like this before, but maybe I just used GnnnnV01



I did just cycle one through 9999 and it does go to 0001, which makes me wonder why they don't start Gen numbers at 00 like they do with Ver numbers, not that it really matters, it's just a little inconsistent.
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dick scherrer

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:21 am
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Quote:
it's just a little inconsistent
Yup, and the way COND= processes. . . It's just a little ibm. . . icon_cool.gif

Quote:
but there's no Edit button?
To keep down the possibility of people changing history icon_wink.gif If you enter something you really want changed, just send me a PM and i'll see what i can do.

d
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Anuj Dhawan

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:45 pm
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So ..are the queris resolved..ot the dispute is still going on .. icon_wink.gif ..?
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dick scherrer

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:18 pm
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Hi Anuj,

I believe we're done. . . icon_smile.gif

d
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Anuj Dhawan

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:29 pm
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That sounds nice.. icon_smile.gif

-Ad
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