Extract Data to a File

Producing Reports › Extract Data to a File

Extract Data to a File

The EVNTDB events database contains the file transfer activity data. This database can be periodically archived in a character separated values (CSV) format for processing by external analysis and reporting tools. Your system administrator defines the period of time that data is kept online.

You can analyze file transfer activity and trends by reading the data extracted from the database in any standard analysis and reporting tool on a PC.

To extract the file transfer data for analysis

Allocate a sequential data set with the following attributes:

Attribute	Value
RECFM	VB
LRECL	600
BLKSIZE	Greater than or equal to 604

Enter /FTHIST at the command prompt.
The History Data menu appears.
Enter EX at the prompt and specify the data set name that you have just defined in the Extract Dataset field.
The Extracts List appears.
Select an extract option. Use the following table to help you decide which option to select

To select fields to be extracted from …	Then select …
All file transfer events	Extract All File Transfer Events
Failed file transfers only	Extract Failed File Transfers
File transfer results only	Extract File Transfer Results
File transfers based on your own search criteria of the fields in the events database	Perform Custom Extract
File transfers based on entry fields for predefined search criteria	Search and Extract File Transfers

The Fields List appears.

Note: By default, all fields are selected.

Do one of the following:
- Enter U beside the fields you want to exclude from the extract.
- Enter All U at the command prompt to deselect all fields, then enter S beside the fields you want to include in the extract.
Note: Commands you enter at the prompt override any other entries. You should execute any commands you enter at the prompt before making any other entries beside the field names.
Press F6 (Action).
The system extracts the relevant records from the events database, EVNTDB, to the defined data set, and presents them as CSV fields with a header.
Transfer the defined data set to your PC, and save it with a .TXT extension.
Open the .TXT file by using your preferred PC application (for example, Microsoft Excel), and import this file as a .CSV file.
Analyze your data by applying facilities such as graphs and charts, tables, and macros.

Note: Extraction copies but does not clear the records from the EVNTDB database.