Authorized program analysis reports

Authorized program analysis reports (APARs) are used to find out what problems have been identified that might result in potential problems. You can view APARs by component, by release, or by the complete list.

An authorized program analysis report (APAR) is a request for the correction of a defect in a current release of an IBM-supplied program. It contains information about the problem from the problem record, any associated spooled files, the error log entry, and any available vital product data that exists for the licensed program. Vital product data is a structured description of a device or program. In this case the vital product data includes:

• The name of the licensed program, Licensed Internal Code group, or product
• The release and modification, and the program module names
• The national languages selected
• Other information can be included about the failing program.

One type of APAR is an information APAR. Information APARs are created when there is a need to provide worldwide access to information. Typically, information APARs are created to describe pervasive user errors, provide recovery actions for non-defect situations, or explain system operation.

The IBM® Software Support Center updates the APAR list regularly.