Generation data group definitions for the COPYTOCOPY utility

You can use generation data groups to hold image copies. Use of generation data groups offers the benefit of automating allocation of data set names and deletion of the oldest data set. You can also use templates when using generation data groups.

To define the generation group, follow these guidelines:

• Use generation data groups to hold image copies because their use automates the allocation of data set names and the deletion of the oldest data set.
• Use templates when using generation data groups.
• When you define the generation data group:
  • You can specify that the oldest data set is to be automatically deleted when the maximum number of data sets is reached. If you do that, make the maximum number large enough to accommodate all recovery requirements. When data sets are deleted, use the MODIFY utility to delete the corresponding rows in SYSIBM.SYSCOPY.
  • Make the limit number of generation data sets equal to the number of copies that you want to keep. Use NOEMPTY to avoid deleting all the data sets from the integrated catalog facility catalog when the limit is reached.