Utility to copy VSAM cluster to GDG other than IDCAMS

yasodha_p · New User Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Chennai

Hi All,

Is there any efficient utility to copy VSAM cluster to GDG other than IDCAMS?

superk · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 5:24 pm

Most people would use their sort (DFSORT or SYNCSORT) product.

yasodha_p · New User Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Chennai

If VSAM records are less, as you said DFSORT or SYNCSORT is preferred. I think records are more then it wont be efficient .

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 5:35 pm

yasodha_p · New User Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Chennai

enrico,

I tested now. For copying the 30 records using IDCAMS is taking less time than using DFSORT and SYNCSORT utility.

Any proof you want?

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 5:54 pm

30 records is not a statistically relevant record count
so useless as a performance/capacity planning indicator

Robert Sample · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:06 pm

If you're doing the copy for backup purposes, DF/DSS would be a possibility. You can't look at the VSAM data without a restore, though.

Copying 30 records is meaningless -- use anything you want. For copying 30 million records, I'd use DF/DSS or DFSORT depending on the reason for the copy.

yasodha_p · New User Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Chennai

Just for check I used 30 records.

When compared to DFSORT or SYNCSORT and IDCAMS, IDCAMS is more efficient.

Any way my question is not this.

My question is " Is there any utility to copy VSAM to GDG which is more efficient than IDCAMS? "

For this DFSORT or SYNCSORT is not the answer .

yasodha_p · New User Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Chennai

Robert ,

My requirement is 49,427,158 records.
when I use IDCAMS it is taking 78.53 minutes for exection.

Is there any way to reduce the execution time?

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:17 pm

You were already given an answer...
use the sort product available in Your installation

if You do not like the answers You get, change the provider

yasodha_p · New User Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Chennai

Are you sure that it will reduce the execution time?

expat · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:30 pm

Only testing will tell

Robert Sample · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:36 pm

IDCAMS may be more efficient for 30 records due to lower overhead in setting up to run. I would expect the sort products (and DF/DSS for that matter) to be much more efficient for 50 million records.

As far as the IDCAMS time for 50 million records, how many buffers do you have on the output DD statement? How many BUFND and BUFNI on the input DD statement? Are you copying to tape or disk? What's the output block size and LRECL?

dick scherrer · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:52 pm

Hello,

Terry Heinze · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 2:51 am

As Dick mentioned, elapsed time is usually worthless when looking for efficiency. Pay more attention to CPU time and EXCPs.

expat · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 11:32 am

For backup / recovery purposes I would suggest looking at FAVER. A brilliant VSAM product.