Reading through Tapes - JCL

Question

We currently backup some of our data to tapes (virtual, not physical) and I am needing to read and pull information from those tapes. Currently we are using JCL with a DD statement for each Vol/Ser that looks like:

//VOLSERO  DD DSN=DWP.PROD.****.TAPE,
//            DISP=SHR,                          
//            UNIT=CCLOCAL,                      
//            VOL=SER=(R94188)                   
//*                                              
//         DD DSN=DWP.PROD.****.TAPE,
//            DISP=SHR,                          
//            UNIT=CCLOCAL,                      
//            VOL=SER=(R94438)

Each week we drop 1 tape and add a new one as we are backing up new records. Is it possible to read through all of the tapes for that dataset without entering the Vol/Ser or will every tape require it's own DD statement?

Are these datasets cataloged? Does the "****" mask in the sample you provided uniquely identify the dataset? Are these datasets SMS managed? Are you allowed to change the job(s) that create these datasets? — cschneid, Jul 05 '16 at 15:12
yes, the "****" mask is uniquely identified datasets and the JCL that's right's it looks as such: //DWPSTRNU DD DSN=DWP.PROD.SEND.****(+1), // DISP=(NEW,CATLG,CATLG), // MGMTCLAS=#STNDARD, // SPACE=(350,(50,5),RLSE),AVGREC=K, // DCB(****.DSCB,RECFM=FB,LRECL=350,BLKSIZE=0,DSORG=PS) — Wesley Kluckhohn, Jul 05 '16 at 15:23
From the +1 you are using a GDG. Talk to your Storage people. — Bill Woodger, Jul 05 '16 at 19:36

cschneid · Answer 1 · 2016-07-05T20:37:52.537

You indicate the datasets are cataloged, so you shouldn't need to specify the volume serial number.

As @BillWoodger indicates in his comment, talk to your storage people. Coding the DEFER subparameter of the UNIT option might be beneficial, as may UNIT=AFF. Your storage people, and possibly your production control people, will know how they want it done in your shop.

You indicate the datasets are part of a GDG, so to access the most recent 3 generations you should be able to code...

//VOLSERO  DD DSN=DWP.PROD.SEND.****(0),
//            DISP=SHR
//         DD DSN=DWP.PROD.SEND.****(-1),
//            DISP=SHR
//         DD DSN=DWP.PROD.SEND.****(-2),
//            DISP=SHR

If you want to access all extant generations, and it sounds like you do, you should be able to code...

//VOLSERO  DD DSN=DWP.PROD.SEND.****,
//            DISP=SHR

...and be aware of the GDGORDER parameter if you want the datasets in ascending chronological creation order.

Again, talk to your storage and production control people. There's often a difference between what's possible, what's acceptable, and what's optimal.

Reading through Tapes - JCL

1 Answers1