Creating buffer pool data (bpd) files

Buffer Pool Analyzer provides the BPACTIVITY command (for Buffer Pool Activity) and its subcommand FILE to create buffer pool data (bpd) files from collected trace data.

The command is used in batch jobs, together with DD statements that specify, among others, one or more input data sets with collected trace data. It creates bpd files that contain the data in a format that is required by all the client-based functions of Buffer Pool Analyzer, except simulation.

Command options are available to specify the type of data to be included (Summary or Detail) and to selectively use the input data for bpd files (for example, to include only data about specific identifiers).

The FILE subcommand is similar to the REPORT subcommand. Both use the same type of input data (DB2® trace data). Both can extract Summary or Detail data from the input and selectively use input data. However, only the REPORT subcommand has options to manipulate the aggregation and sorting of data. These options are not needed for bpd files. The FILE subcommand has an option to exclude data from inactive objects, which creates smaller, better manageable bpd files.

Creating activity reports and bpd files describes the details of using the BPACTIVITY command and its options in batch jobs to create bpd files.

The data in bpd files is not intended for direct interpretation. It is in Db2 load format and can be loaded into Db2 tables for additional analysis by SQL queries. Loading a bpd file into a Db2 table provides some information how the contents of bpd files can be loaded into Db2 tables. However, the further use is outside the scope of this information.