How to create and use Generation Data Groups (GDG) with Replication Server capture and apply log files

Answer

GDGs can be used with Replication Server capture and apply "dot" log files. These are the files called cap.log, qcap.log or app.log, qapp.log which contain messages from Capture and Apply programs.

Here is an example of how to create and use a GDG:

1. Create a GDG file. This JCL calling IDCAMS will do it. In this example LIMIT(15) is the number of generations you wish to create and keep. Of course, change the GDG file name to your requirements.

//STEP1 EXEC PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN DD *
DEFINE GDG(NAME(STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1) -
LIMIT(15) -
NOEMPTY -
SCRATCH)
/*

2. Create a model or template for the individual generations of data sets. Here the default DCB attributes for the Apply or Capture log were used. Note that the space is rather small (5 tracks) in this example so you might want to increase it.

//STEP020 EXEC PGM=IEFBR14
//GDGMODEL DD DSN=STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDMODEL1,
// DISP=(NEW,KEEP,DELETE),
// UNIT=SYSDA,
// SPACE=(TRK,5),
// DCB=(LRECL=1024,RECFM=VB,BLKSIZE=6144,DSORG=PS)

3. As a test you can create your first generation of data sets by running this JCL example. Each time you run this step a new generation of data set will be created in your group.

//STEP010 EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN DD DUMMY
//SYSUT1 DD *
TEST DATA LINE 1
TEST DATA LINE 2
/*
//SYSUT2 DD DSN=STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1(+1),
// DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
// SPACE=(TRK,5),
// DCB=STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDMODEL1

After you have created several generations of log files an ISPF 3.4 display of your GDG would look like this:

STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1
STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1.G0003V00
STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1.G0004V00
STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1.G0005V00
.
.
.
STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDMODEL1

The ISPF 3.4 screen header will also tell you how many generations of datasets you have. For example:

Data Sets Matching STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1.G* Row 1 of 15

There are 15 generations of the dataset.

4. Because the Apply or Capture log file is not referenced by a DD statement you must use IEBGENER to copy your app.log or cap.log file to the GDG. Place this step ahead of your Apply or Capture JCL. This step creates a new generation of data in your group. Consider using the LOGREUSE=N parm when you start Capture or Apply so that each generation of the log is unique to the specific instance when Capture or Apply was run.

//COPYLOG EXEC PGM=IEBGENER
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSUT1 DD DSN=STEWART.DSN9.STEVE1.APP.LOG,
// DISP=SHR
//SYSUT2 DD DSN=STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1(+1),
// DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
// SPACE=(TRK,5),
// DCB=STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDMODEL1
//SYSIN DD DUMMY
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSUDUMP DD SYSOUT=*


5. If you need to delete your GDG, delete the individual data sets (G0003V00, G0004V00, etc.) and then run this IDCAM job to delete the GDG.
//STEP010 EXEC PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN DD *
DELETE (STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1) GDG FORCE
/*

Finally, this example of a GDG was created with 15 generations of data sets using the LIMIT(15) parameter. If you wish to change the number of generations run this IDCAMS alter example where the number of generation is increased to 50. Use the GDG name in the ALTER statement that you created from Step 1.
//STEP010 EXEC PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN DD *
ALTER STEWART.APPLY.LOG.GDGROUP1 LIMIT(50)
/*
The maximum value for LIMIT is 255.