Data sets that CHECK DATA uses
The CHECK DATA utility uses a number of data sets during its operation.
The following table lists the data sets that CHECK DATA uses. The table lists the DD name that is used to identify the data set, a description of the data set, and an indication of whether it is required. Include statements in your JCL for each required data set and any optional data sets that you want to use.
| Data set | Description | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| SYSIN | An input data set that contains the utility control statement. | Yes |
| SYSPRINT | An output data set for messages. | Yes |
| Work data sets | Two temporary data sets for sort input and sort output. Specify the DD names by using the WORKDDN option of the utility control statement. The default ddname for sort input is SYSUT1. The default ddname for sort output is SORTOUT. | Yes |
| Error data set | An output data set that collects information about violations that are encountered during the CHECKDAT phase for referential constraints or the SCANTAB phase for check constraints. Specify the DD name by using the ERRDDN parameter of the utility control statement. The default ddname is SYSERR. | Yes |
| UTPRINT | A data set that contains messages from the sort program (usually, SYSOUT or DUMMY). | Yes |
The following objects are named in the utility control statement and do not require DD statements in the JCL:
- Table space
- Object that is to be checked. (If you want to check only one partition of a table space, use the PART option in the control statement.)
- Exception table
- Table that stores rows that violate any referential constraints. For each table in a table space that is checked, specify the name of an exception table in the utility control statement. Any row that violates a referential constraint is copied to the exception table.
Sort work data sets cannot span volumes. Smaller volumes require more sort work data sets to sort the same amount of data; therefore, large volume sizes can reduce the number of needed sort work data sets. It is recommended that at least 1.2 times the amount of data to be sorted be provided in sort work data sets on disk.
Tape devices are not supported for sort work data sets.