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Q: What is CI and CA in VSAM?
Answer:
CI (Control Interval) is I/O unit, like block. Contains records, free space, control info. CA (Control Area) is group of CIs. CISIZE affects performance. CI split when full. CA split more expensive.
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Q: How to create VSAM backup?
Answer:
REPRO to sequential file: REPRO INFILE(vsam) OUTFILE(backup). Or EXPORT for full backup with catalog info. Can also use DFSMS backup. REPRO most common for simple backup.
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Q: How to list VSAM catalog entries?
Answer:
LISTCAT ENTRIES(ds.pattern) ALL. Shows cluster info: space, attributes, records. LISTCAT LEVEL(high.level) for multiple. Output to SYSPRINT. Essential for troubleshooting.
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Q: Explain RECOVERY vs NORECOVER?
Answer:
RECOVERY (default) enables recovery after abend. Writes RBA info to catalog. NORECOVER disables - cannot recover from abend. NORECOVER saves some overhead but risky.
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Q: How to handle CICS RESP codes?
Answer:
RESP and RESP2 capture command results. EXEC CICS command RESP(ws-resp) RESP2(ws-resp2). Check DFHRESP(NORMAL) for success. RESP contains condition. RESP2 has additional info. Always check after commands.
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Q: What is EIB?
Answer:
EIB (Execute Interface Block) contains execution info. EIBCALEN=COMMAREA length. EIBTRNID=transaction. EIBAID=attention key. EIBDATE/EIBTIME=date/time. EIBRESP/EIBRESP2=response codes. Automatically available in COBOL.
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Q: Explain REFDD parameter?
Answer:
REFDD references DD for attributes. DCB=*.STEP.DD or REFDD=ddname. Copies DCB info. Similar to VOL=REF. Useful for consistent attributes. Referenced DD must be allocated first.
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Q: Explain INVREQ condition
Answer:
INVREQ is invalid request. Command invalid for situation. Check: command syntax, option combinations, resource state. EIBRESP2 may have more info. Common programming error.
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Q: Explain SPEED/RECOVERY on REPRO?
Answer:
SPEED bypasses recovery info write. Faster but risky if failure. RECOVERY (default) safer but slower. Use SPEED for idempotent copies. RECOVERY for critical data.
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Q: Explain SPEED vs RECOVERY
Answer:
SPEED skips CI/CA recovery info during load. Faster but risky. RECOVERY (default) writes recovery info. If job abends, RECOVERY allows restart. SPEED needs complete reload if problem.
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Q: Explain IDENTIFICATION DIVISION
Answer:
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION identifies program. PROGRAM-ID required (up to 8 chars for compatibility). AUTHOR, DATE-WRITTEN, DATE-COMPILED, REMARKS are documentation. INSTALLATION for deployment info. Only PROGRAM-ID affects compilation.
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Q: Explain EXPORT utility
Answer:
EXPORT creates portable copy with catalog info. IDCAMS EXPORT ds.name OUTFILE(dd). Includes cluster definition. IMPORT recreates on target system. Good for migration.
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Q: What is ASSIGN command?
Answer:
ASSIGN retrieves system values. EXEC CICS ASSIGN USERID(ws-user) FACILITY(ws-term). Other options: SYSID, ABCODE, PROGRAM. Gets runtime environment info. Useful for audit, conditional processing.
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Q: What is ACCTRG parameter?
Answer:
ACCT (accounting) provides billing information. On JOB card: ACCT=(account-number,additional-info). Installation-defined format. Passed to SMF for accounting records. May affect job processing priority.
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Q: Explain LABEL parameter
Answer:
LABEL=(n,type) specifies tape label info. n=file sequence number. Type: SL=standard, NL=no labels, SUL=standard user. LABEL=(2,SL) is second file on standard label tape. EXPDT/RETPD for retention.