Maintenance › VLS Utility (VLSUTIL) › VLSUTIL Function Descriptions › BACKUP Function

BACKUP Function

BACKUP creates a full backup of a VLS file. Use BACKUP to maintain a backup copy of a VLS file or as part of a procedure to expand or shrink the size of a VLS file. This procedure is described in How to Modify the Amount of Space in a VLS File. The system should be QUIESED (down) when you execute a BACKUP. The BACKUP statement has the following format:

►►─ BACKUP ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────►◄

The backup file has a ddname of VLSBKUP. It is defined as a normal sequential file on tape or disk. If you use tape, you must specify DEN. In all other cases, DCB parameters are not required. Use the following sample JCL to create a backup VLS file:

//     JOBCARD
// EXEC PGM=VLSUTIL
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=A
//STEPLIB DD DSN=LOAD,DISP=SHR
//        DD DSN=LOAD,DISP=SHR
//        DD DSN=LOAD,DISP=SHR
//VLSBKUP DD DSN=dsname,UNIT=unit,DISP=(,KEEP),
            VOL=SER=volser,LABEL=(,SL),DCB=DEN=3
//VLSFILE DD DSN=dsname,DISP=SHR
//SYSIN DD *
BACKUP
/*

After a backup run, check the output listing in SYSPRINT for error messages. As it writes each member to the backup file, the utility program performs logic checks on the member structure to try to identify damaged members and tags them. You can selectively restore (SELREST) any flagged member to the library from an earlier backup file to correct the problem.

Although you can perform backups using standard backup utilities, VLSUTIL is highly recommended because it performs additional file verification.