DUMPSW

The DUMPSW system initialization parameter specifies whether you want CICS® to switch automatically to the next transaction dump data set, when the first data set is full.

Transaction dumps go to a pair of CICS BSAM data sets, with dump data set (DD) names DFHDMPA and DFHDMPB. For information about destinations where dumps are written, see Where dumps are written. For information about transaction dump data sets definition, see Defining transaction dump data sets. For information about printing transaction dump data sets, see Printing the transaction dump data sets. For information about how the DUMPSW system initialization parameter links with the DUMPDS system initialization parameter, see DUMPDS system initialization parameter.

Defining DUMPSW

You can define the DUMPSW system initialization parameter in the following ways:
  • In the PARM parameter of the EXEC PGM=DFHSIP statement.
  • In the SYSIN data set of the CICS startup job stream.
  • Through the system console.
  • In the DFHSIT macro.

Values for DUMPSW

DUMPSW={NO|NEXT|ALL}
Valid values for the DUMPSW system initialization parameter are as follows:
NO
NO is the default value for DUMPSW. It disables the CICS autoswitch facility. If the transaction dump data set opened during initialization becomes full, CICS issues a console message to notify the operator. If you want to switch to the alternative data set, you must do so manually by using the CEMT SET DUMPDS command or the EXEC CICS SET DUMPDS SWITCH command.
NEXT
Enables the autoswitch facility to switch to the next data set from the end of file of the data set that is opened during initialization. If you specify NEXT, it permits one switch only. If you want to switch to the alternate data set again, you must do so manually by using the CEMT SET DUMPDS command or the EXEC CICS SET DUMPDS SWITCH command. If you specify NEXT, code DD statements for both transaction dump data sets, DFHDMPA and DFHDMPB, in your CICS startup job stream.
ALL
Enables the autoswitch facility to switch to the inactive data set at the end of every file. If you specify ALL, it enables continuous switching between the two dump data sets, DFHDMPA and DFHDMPB. Whenever a data set is full, it is closed and another data set is opened.