Sequential buffering service aids

When you receive a message or abend that indicates a problem with sequential buffering (SB), several diagnostic tools are available. Some of these tools are useful for diagnosing other IMS database-related problems.

Useful tools for diagnosing IMS data-related problems

  • DL/I trace table entries
  • Dump formatting of IMS control blocks
  • SNAPs of IMS control blocks during pseudoabends

The //DFSSTAT statistics report is also a useful tool for evaluating a potential sequential buffering problem.

SB provides additional problem determination tools, which are described in this section:

  • SBSNAP and SBESNAP options
  • SB IMAGE CAPTURE option and the SB Test program (DFSSBHD0 utility)
  • The SB COMPARE option

For most invocations of SB pseudoabend buffer handler functions, entries in the DL/I trace tables are provided. The SB trace table entries are:

X'6F'
Search/read by RBN
X'6C'
Refresh SB buffer after a write
X'69'
Invalidate SB buffers
X'6A'
Evaluate SB buffering
X'6B'
Describe why SB was or was not used for the application

In addition, the X'D1' DL/I trace table entry created by DFSNOTB0 contains some information about invalidation of SB buffers.