Modifying Physical Database Definitions › Changing the Access Method of a File › Step 5: Copy the Data to the New File

Step 5: Copy the Data to the New File

Options

To copy the data, use one of the following options:

1. Use the BACKUP and RESTORE utility statements
2. Use the IDCAMS utility

Option 1: Backup and Restore

To use BACKUP and RESTORE to copy the database files, take the following steps:

1. Offload the data in the old file(s) using the BACKUP utility statement and the old DMCL. If all files within a multi-file area are being converted, use the AREA option on the BACKUP statement; otherwise, use the FILE option.
2. If the backup was performed with the AREA option, format the new files using the new DMCL before executing Step 3.
3. Reload the data into the new file(s) using the RESTORE utility statement and the new DMCL. If the data was offloaded with the AREA option, restore with the AREA option; otherwise, restore with the FILE option.

Option 2: Using IDCAMS

The REPRO command of the IDCAMS utility can be used to copy the data between a VSAM and non-VSAM file and vice versa. If you use this approach, be sure to copy all pages (blocks) in the file in their entirety without reblocking.

Note: For more information about IDCAMS, see the appropriate IBM documentation.