DEBUG and NODEBUG: Specifying debug mode

Explanation: DEBUG and NODEBUG are mutually exclusive, optional parameters specifying whether DFSMShsm is to operate in debug mode.

DEBUG specifies that DFSMShsm is to operate in debug mode. A command to process only one data set is not affected by the DEBUG parameter. You use DEBUG to monitor the effect of DFSMShsm on your computing system. DFSMShsm does all automatic and command volume space management, backup, dump, and command expiration of backup versions functions without moving or deleting any data sets. DEBUG specifies that DFSMShsm is not to move any data. Because you can monitor the data sets and volumes that DFSMShsm would have managed, you can decide which data sets you do not want DFSMShsm to process.

Debug mode can be entered at any time during DFSMShsm processing. During automatic volume space management, command volume space management, or backup functions, DFSMShsm checks for debug mode before processing each data set. During automatic dump, command dump, or volume recovery functions, DFSMShsm checks for debug mode before processing each volume. During the expiration of backup versions function, DFSMShsm checks for debug mode at the start of each command. If a SETSYS DEBUG command is issued before the start of the next data set during space management or backup, or before the start of the next volume during dump or recovery, the next data set or volume to be processed will be processed in debug mode, and no data will be moved or deleted. Any processing accomplished before entering debug mode is not affected.

NODEBUG specifies that DFSMShsm is not to operate in debug mode.

SMS relationship: Parameter differs in meaning when applied to SMS-managed or non-SMS-managed DASD volumes or data sets.

SETSYS default: None.

DFSMShsm default: If you do not specify either parameter on any SETSYS command, the DFSMShsm default is NODEBUG.

Note:

Debug mode causes all ABACKUP and ARECOVER commands to be processed with the VERIFY option at the time the command is selected to be started.
Debug mode does not affect the BACKVOL CONTROLDATASETS command and the command will be processed as normal.
To use the debug mode, decide which volumes you want DFSMShsm to manage. Then, run DFSMShsm in debug mode. When you are satisfied that the volumes are being managed as you want, specify NODEBUG. DFSMShsm will then process the data sets. You can use this gradual conversion procedure when you add more volumes to DFSMShsm control.