Glossary

The terms in this glossary are defined as they pertain to the CICS VSAM Recovery documentation.

If you do not find the term you are looking for, view the Glossary of Computing Terms located at:

http://www.ibm.com/ibm/terminology/

This glossary includes terms and definitions from:

The following cross-reference is used in this glossary:

See:
This refers the reader to (a) a related term, (b) a term that is the expanded form of an abbreviation or acronym, or (c) a synonym or more preferred term.
A
access method services (AMS)
A utility program for the definition and management of VSAM data sets.
after-image
Records that CICS® writes to a forward recovery log to show what the VSAM record will look like after it has been updated by the application. (Throughout the CICS VR library, the forward recovery log is referred to as the log.)
AIX®
Alternate index.
alternate index (AIX)
A collection of index entries related to a given base cluster and organized by an alternate key; that is, a key other than the prime key of the associated base cluster data records. The AIX gives an alternative directory for finding records in the data component of a base cluster.
AMS
Access method services.
APAR
Authorized program analysis report.
application identifier (APPLID)
The name that identifies a CICS region to VTAM®. It can be a maximum of 8 characters.
APPLID
Application identifier.
archive utility
The CICS VR utility that registers details of a log on the RCDS and optionally copies it to a backup.
authorized program analysis report (APAR)
A report of a problem that is suspected to be caused by a defect in a current, unaltered release of a program.
automatic journal archiving
A function provided by CICS. When a disk log, defined to use this function is ready for archiving, CICS automatically creates and submits an archive job. The log data set is not reused until archiving is complete, and CICS ensures that the archive jobs are submitted promptly.
B
back up
The process of copying a data set to a backup volume.
backout
The CICS VR function that you can use if CICS fails in the attempt to back out uncommitted changes on a VSAM sphere. Using information from the RCDS, CICS VR constructs a job to back out uncommitted changes on a VSAM KSDS, ESDS, or RRDS, as indicated on the log. Refer to batch backout to remove updates made by batch job steps.
backout failing log record (BOFLGREC)
The record that CICS stores on the system log (throughout the CICS VR library, the system log is referred to as the log). This allows CICS VR to start and stop its scan of the log in the correct places and to locate the relevant before-images. CICS issues a BOFLGREC the first time a backout failure is detected. CICS issues following BOFLGRECs if the same task suffers a backout failure through a different file, or if a different task suffers a backout failure. So, there is a BOFLGREC for each combination of file and task that fails backout.
backup
The copy of the VSAM sphere, either on disk or tape, that you make at regular intervals as a minimum precaution to protect a VSAM sphere.
backup-while-open facility (BWO)
The facility supported by DFSMS/MVS, CICS and CICS VR, that lets CICS VSAM data sets be backed up while CICS is concurrently updating them. The data sets can then be recovered if data is lost. For the software levels required to use this facility, refer to CICS VR Implementation Guide and Reference.
base cluster
A key-sequenced or entry-sequenced data set that one or more alternate indexes can be built over, or a relative-record data set.
basic catalog structure (BCS)
The name of the catalog structure in the integrated catalog facility environment. See also ICF catalog.
batch backout
A CICS VR function that will remove updates made to VSAM spheres by one or more batch job steps. CICS VR undo logging must be performed for the affected VSAM spheres to allow for batch backout processing. CICS VR batch backout supports KSDS, ESDS, RRDS, and VRRDS VSAM spheres.
BCS
Basic catalog structure.
before-image
The copy of a VSAM record that CICS saves in the system log before CICS updates the record (throughout the CICS VR library, the system log is referred to as the log). Before-images are used to back out incomplete or incorrect changes if a failure occurs.
BOFLGREC
Backout failing log record
buffer
An area of processing storage that is used to hold a block of data while it is waiting to be processed or written to an I/O device.
BWO
Backup-while-open facility.
C
CA
See change accumulation.
CA
Control area.
CBIPO
Custom-Built Installation Process Offering.
CBPDO
Custom-Built Product Delivery Offering.
CEDA
The main CICS-supplied transaction used to define resources online. When you use CEDA, you can update the CICS system definition (CSD) data set, and the running CICS region.
CEMT
A CICS-supplied transaction used to invoke all the master terminal functions. These functions include inquiring and changing the value of parameters used by CICS, altering the status of system resources, terminating tasks, and shutting down CICS. Refer to CICS Supplied Transactions or CICS/MVS CICS-Supplied Transactions
CF
Coupling Facility.
change accumulation
A CICS VR utility that reduces the time it takes to perform a forward recovery. CICS VR change accumulation consolidates forward recovery log records into a CA data set. CICS VR uses the CA data set in conjunction with the forward recovery log to reduce the number of log records that CICS VR needs to apply to get the sphere back to the exact state before the data was lost.
CI
Control interval.
CICS
Customer Information Control System.
CICS session
The time period during which a user has access to a CICS region.
CICS system definition (CSD) data set
A VSAM KSDS cluster with alternate paths. The CSD data set contains a resource definition record for every record defined to CICS using resource definition online (RDO).
CICSplex
(1) A CICS complex. A CICSplex consists of two or more regions that are linked using CICS intercommunications facilities. The links can be either intersystem communication (ISC) or interregion communication (IRC) links, but within a CICSplex are more usually IRC. Typically, a CICSplex has at least one terminal-owning region (TOR), more than one application-owning region (AOR), and might have one or more regions that own the resources that are accessed by the AORs. (2) In CICSPlex® SM, a management domain. The largest set of CICS regions or systems to be manipulated as a single CICSPlex SM entity. CICS regions in a CICSPlex SM CICSplex do not need to be connected to each other.
CICSPlex SM
IBM CICSPlex System Manager for z/OS. An IBM CICS system management product that provides a single system image and a single point of control for one or more CICSplexes, including CICSplexes on heterogeneous operating systems.
CICS VR
CICS VSAM Recovery.
cluster
In VSAM, a named structure consisting of a group of related components. For example, when the data is key sequenced, the cluster contains the data and index components; for data that is entry sequenced, the cluster contains only a data component. See also base cluster and alternate index.
cold start
The standard CICS initialization sequence performed without regard for prior system activity.
Common User Access (CUA)
Guidelines for the interface between a user and a workstation or terminal.
complete recovery
The CICS VR function that consists of forward recovery followed by backout, if needed. In CICS VR complete recovery, CICS VR restores a DFSMShsm backup for you.
concurrent copy
The facility supported by DFSMS/MVS, CICS, and CICS VR that increases the availability of data by letting you make a consistent backup or copy of data, concurrent with normal application program processing.
control area (CA)
A group of VSAM control intervals used as a unit for formatting a data set before adding records to it.
control area split
The movement of the contents of some VSAM control intervals in a control area to a newly created control area, to aid the insertion, or lengthening of a record when no free control intervals remain in the original control area.
control interval (CI)
A fixed-length area of auxiliary-storage space where VSAM stores records and distributes free space. It is the unit of information that is transmitted to or from auxiliary storage, by VSAM.
control interval split
The movement of some stored records in a VSAM control interval to a free control interval, to aid the insertion, or lengthening of a record that will not fit in the original control interval.
Coupling Facility (CF)
The hardware that provides high-speed caching, list processing, and locking functions in a sysplex.
CSD
CICS system definition data set.
CUA
Common User Access.
D
Data Facility Product
See DFP.
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem data facility product (DFSMSdfp)
A DFSMS/MVS functional component that provides functions for storage management, data management, program management, device management, and distributed data access.
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem data set services (DFSMSdss)
A DFSMS/MVS functional component used to copy, move, dump, and restore data sets and volumes.
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem hierarchical storage manager (DFSMShsm)
A DFSMS/MVS functional component used for backing up and recovering data, and managing space on volumes in the storage hierarchy.
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem removable media manager (DFSMSrmm)
A DFSMS/MVS functional component that manages removable media.
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem/MVS (DFSMS/MVS)
An IBM licensed program that together with z/OS SP compose the base z/OS operating environment. DFSMS/MVS consists of DFSMSdfp, DFSMSdss, DFSMShsm, and DFSMSrmm.
data integrity
The quality of data that exists as long as accidental destruction, change, or loss
ddname
Data definition name.
deregister
The CICS VR function that removes a VSAM sphere name from the RCDS, or removes all references to a log from the RCDS.
DFDSS
Referred to in this book by its new product name. See DFSMSdss.
DFHCSDUP
CICS system definition (CSD) data set utility program. It provides offline services for the CSD. You can invoke DFHCSDUP as a batch program, or from a user-written program running in batch mode, or under TSO.
DFHJCRDS
The CICS journal-control record-mapping macro.
DFHSM
Referred to in this book by its new product name. See DFSMShsm.
DFP
Referred to in this book by its new product name. See DFSMSdfp.
DFSMSdfp
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem data facility product.
DFSMSdss
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem data set services.
DFSMShsm
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem hierarchical storage manager.
DFSMSrmm
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem removable media manager.
DFSMS/MVS
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem/MVS.
dsname record
A record on a log that equates an FCT file name to a data set.
DTB
Dynamic transaction backout.
dynamic transaction backout (DTB)
The process of canceling changes that a transaction makes to a VSAM data set after the transaction fails, for whatever reason.
E
emergency restart
Initialization of the CICS region following an abnormal end, where the information recorded on the system log is used to recover the data files of all interrupted transactions, to the condition they were in when the transactions started. (Throughout the CICS VR library, the system log is referred to as the log.)
entry-sequenced data set (ESDS)
A VSAM data set whose records are physically in the same order in which they were added to the data set. An ESDS is processed by addressed direct access, or addressed sequential access and has no index. Records are added at the end of the data set.
ESA
Enterprise Systems Architecture.
ESDS
Entry-sequenced data set.
Extended Recovery Facility (XRF)
A related set of programs that lets an installation reach a higher level of CICS availability to end users. Availability is improved by having a pair of CICS regions: an active system and a partially initialized alternate system. The alternate system stands by to continue processing if failures occur on the active system.
F
FCT
File control table.
file
A CICS entity that relates to a data set. File names are 1–8 characters.
file control table (FCT)
CICS table containing the characteristics of the files accessed by CICS file control.
FMID
Function modification identifier.
forward recovery
The CICS VR function that reapplies all changes to the VSAM sphere since the last backup. The sphere can be a KSDS, ESDS, RRDS, or VRRDS. CICS VR gets the information it needs to construct the recovery job from the RCDS. The contents of the logs are applied to the VSAM sphere to return it to its exact state before the data was lost.
forward recovery log
A log that is being used for implementing forward recovery. (Throughout the CICS VR library, the forward recovery log is referred to as the log.)
function modification identifier
A seven-character ID used to identify the release of a product.
G
GDG
Generation data group.
generation data group (GDG)
A collection of data sets kept in chronological order; each data set is a generation data set.
global user exit
A point in a CICS module at which CICS can pass control to a program that you have written (an exit program) and then resume control when your program has finished. When an exit program is enabled for a particular exit point, the program is called every time the exit point is reached.
I
ICF catalog
Integrated catalog facility catalog.
in-flight transaction
A transaction that has uncommitted updates at the time of an abnormal CICS end.
instance
An instance of CICS VR starts when transaction VSAM is initialized as part of SMSVSAM address space initialization or enabled by operator command. It ends when transactional VSAM enters a quiesced or disabled state, or when the SMSVSAM address space is terminated.
integrated catalog facility (ICF) catalog
A catalog that consists of a basic catalog structure (BCS) and its related volume table of contents (VTOCs), and VSAM volume data sets (VVDSs). The ICF catalog is the only catalog that is supported by DFSMS/MVS. See also basic catalog structure (BCS), volume table of contents (VTOC), and VSAM volume data set (VVDS).
Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF)
The MVS™ interactive facility that serves as a full-screen editor and dialog manager. ISPF can be used for writing application programs. It is used by CICS VR to provide an interactive dialog between the CICS VR user and the CICS VR functions.
I/O
Input/output.
ISPF
Interactive System Product Facility.
J
JACD
Journal archive control data set.
JCT
Journal control table.
journal
See log.
journal control table (JCT)
The way by which the characteristics of the logs are described to CICS for access through journal control. The JCT contains journal information and operating system control blocks describing each log.
journaling
The recording of information onto a journal (including the system log) for processing by CICS VR. Also known as logging.
journal-label-record
A special record type that is the first record written out by CICS in a block of log records.
JPDS
Journal partitioned data set.
K
keypoint
The periodic recording of system information and control blocks on the system log (throughout the CICS VR library, the system log is referred to as the log).
key-sequenced data set (KSDS)
A VSAM data set whose records are loaded in key sequence and controlled by an index.
KSDS
Key-sequenced data set.
L
linear data set
A VSAM data set that contains data but no control information. A linear data set can be accessed as a byte-addressable string in virtual storage. See recovery control data set.
link pack area (LPA)
In MVS, an area of virtual storage that contains re-enterable routines that are loaded at IPL time and that can be used concurrently by all tasks in the system.
local shared resources (LSR)
Files that share a common pool of buffers and a common pool of strings; that is, control blocks supporting I/O operations.
log
A set of one or more sequential data sets to which records are written during a CICS session in these circumstances:
  • By CICS, to implement user-defined resource protection (logging to the system log)
  • By CICS, to implement user-defined automatic logging (to an MVS log stream, including the system log)
  • Explicitly, by the JOURNAL command (or macro), from an application program (to an MVS log stream, including the system log)
(Throughout the CICS VR library, all journals are referred to as logs.)
log manager
A CICS domain introduced in CICS Transaction Server, which replaces the CICS journal control management function of earlier CICS versions. The CICS log manager uses MVS system logger services to write CICS systems logs, forward recovery logs, and user journals to log streams managed by the MVS system logger. (Throughout the CICS VR library, system logs, forward recovery logs, and MVS log streams are referred to as logs.)
log of logs
A log created by CICS Transaction Server that contains records that are written each time a file is opened or closed. CICS VR scans the log of logs and saves information needed for recovery in the RCDS.
log tail
In CICS VR, the oldest log record of interest. Log tail deletion is the process of deleting unneeded records that are older than the oldest record of interest to CICS VR.
local shared resources (LSR)
Files that share a common pool of buffers and a common pool of strings; that is, control blocks supporting I/O operations.
logical unit of work (LUW)
A sequence of processing actions (for example, changes to a base cluster) that must be completed before the individual actions can be regarded as committed. Every CICS task that affects a recoverable resource consists of one or more LUWs. When changes are committed (by successful completion of the LUW and recording of the sync point on the system log), they need not be backed out after a later failure of the transaction or system. The end of an LUW is marked in a transaction by a sync point, issued either by the user program or by CICS when the transaction ends. In the absence of user sync points, the entire task is an LUW.
LPA
Link pack area.
LSR
Local shared resource.
LUW
Logical unit of work.
M
master terminal operator (MTO)
A CICS operator who is authorized to use the master-terminal-functions transaction.
menu bar
The area at the top of a window that contains choices that let the CICS VR user access the actions available in that window.
migration utility
The utility provided by CICS VR that helps you upgrade your RCDS.
MTO
Master terminal operator.
O
object action
A process sequence in which the user selects an object and then selects an action to apply to that object.
online
Pertaining to a user's access to a computer through a terminal. The term online is also used in this book to describe a resource (for example, a data set) being used by a user through a terminal.
P
path
A data set name for the relationship between an alternate index and its base cluster, or an alias for a VSAM data set.
PDF
Program Development Facility.
PMR
Problem management record.
problem management record (PMR)
A record on the RETAIN® database where all activity about your CICS VR problem is recorded.
program temporary fix (PTF)
A temporary solution, or by-pass of a problem, diagnosed by IBM as resulting from a defect in a current, unaltered release of a program.
program update tape (PUT)
A tape or cartridge on which IBM places PTFs so that you can install them on your system.
PTF
Program temporary fix.
pull-down menu
A list of choices associated with a choice on the menu bar. The CICS VR user selects a choice from the menu bar, and a pull-down appears in the secondary window, under the choice.
PUT
Program update tape.
R
RBA
Relative byte address.
RCDS
Recovery control data set.
RDO
Resource definition online.
record level sharing
See VSAM record level sharing.
recovery
(1) The process of reapplying updates to a lost or damaged VSAM data set. (2) In DFSMShsm, the process of copying a backup version of a data set from a backup volume to a specified volume, possibly to the volume from which the backup version was made.
Recovery and Backup function
The Recovery and Backup function builds a job to: take the sphere offline from CICS, forward recover the sphere, take a backup of the sphere, put the sphere back online to CICS, and instruct CICS to retry its backout.
recovery control
In CICS VR, the collective name for the functions that keep track of all the information needed to forward recover and back out protected VSAM spheres.
recovery control data set (RCDS)
One of three identical linear VSAM data sets that contain information about the contents of archived logs and the ISPF dialog interface default values. CICS VR uses this stored information to construct recovery jobs. CICS VR uses three identical RCDSs to reduce the possibility of data loss.
Recovery function
The Recovery function builds a job to: take the sphere offline from CICS, forward recover the sphere, put the sphere back online to CICS, and instruct CICS to retry its backout.
recovery point time
The point in time that forward recovery starts from for VSAM data sets that were restored from a backup made using the backup-while-open facility. With the backup-while-open facility, recovery point time is a maximum of 30 minutes before the actual backup time.
register
See archive function.
relative byte address (RBA)
The displacement of a stored record or control interval from the beginning of the storage space allocated to the VSAM data set to which it belongs.
relative-record data set (RRDS)
A VSAM data set whose records are loaded into fixed-length slots. The records are accessed by a relative record number (RRN).
Remote Technical Assistance Information Network
See RETAIN.
Reorganization function
The Reorganization function builds a job to: take the sphere offline from CICS, delete and redefine the sphere with more space or a bigger alternate index record size, and instruct CICS to retry its backout.
request parameter list (RPL)
In ACF/VTAM, a control block that contains the parameters needed for processing a request for data transfer.
resource definition macro
A method of defining resources to CICS using macros. You code and assemble special macro instructions, and then provide CICS with these assembled tables at initialization time.
resource definition online (RDO)
The recommended method of defining resources to CICS by creating resource definitions interactively, or using the utility DFHCSDUP, and then storing them in the CICS system definition (CSD) data set. These definitions are then installed as CICS resources, by specifying a list of definitions at CICS initialization time. Using the CEDA transaction, resource definitions can be installed while CICS is active, so they can be used immediately.
restore
The process of copying a backup version of a VSAM data set from backup media, to the same media from which the backup version was created, or to another media. This restored copy can then be used in CICS VR forward recovery.
RETAIN
A software system used by IBM Support Centers and other IBM offices to solve problems with IBM products. RETAIN is used to document each problem and the correction developed for it.
RPL
Request parameter list.
RLS
VSAM record level sharing.
RRDS
Relative-record data set.
S
SAA
Systems Application Architecture®.
secondary window
The window you get when you select an option from a pull-down. A secondary window does not have a menu bar.
SIT
System initialization table.
SNA
System Network Architecture.
SMF
System Management Facility.
SMS
Storage Management Subsystem.
sphere
See VSAM sphere.
storage management subsystem (SMS)
A DFSMS/MVS facility used to automate and centralize the management of storage. Using SMS, a storage administrator describes data allocation characteristics, performance and availability goals, backup and retention requirements, and storage requirements to the system through data class, storage class, management class, and ACS routine definitions.
sync point
See synchronization point.
synchronization point (sync point)
A point in the processing of a task at which changes to recoverable resources are regarded as committed.
sysplex
A set of MVS systems communicating and cooperating with each other through certain multi-system hardware components and software services to process customer workloads.
system initialization table (SIT)
A CICS control table required for the system to be operational. The SIT controls the capability of the system through a set of system initialization parameters.
system log
A CICS log (ID=01) that is used by CICS to log changes to resources for backout. (Throughout the CICS VR library, the system log is referred to as the log.)
system logger
A central logging facility provided by z/OS. The z/OS system logger provides an integrated MVS logging facility that can be used by system and subsystem components. For example, it is used by the CICS Transaction Server log manager.
System Management Facility (SMF)
An MVS component that collects and records system and job-related information.
Systems Application Architecture (SAA)
A formal set of rules that enables applications to be run without modification, in different computer environments.
T
task
In CICS, a single instance of the execution of a transaction. Contrast with transaction.
tie-up record (TUR)
The association between the file and data set, as recorded on the log.
transaction
Can be regarded as a unit of processing (consisting of one or more application programs) initiated by a single request, often from a terminal. A transaction might require the initiation of one or more tasks for its execution. Contrast with task.
transaction backout
The cancelation, because of a transaction failure, of all updates performed by a task.
TUR
Tie-up record.
U
uncommitted updates
The updates from an incomplete LUW that are left on the &sphere when a task or CICS abends.
upgrade set
All the alternate indexes that VSAM has been instructed to update whenever there is a change to the data part of the base cluster.
V
variable relative-record data set (VRRDS)
A VSAM data set whose records are loaded into variable-length slots. The records are accessed by a relative record number (RRN).
volume table of contents (VTOC)
A table on a direct access volume that describes each data set on the volume.
VRRDS
Variable relative-record data set
VSAM
Virtual Storage Access Method.
VSAM record level sharing (VSAM RLS)
An extension to VSAM which provides direct record level sharing of VSAM data sets from multiple address spaces across multiple systems. Record level sharing utilizes the z/OS Coupling Facility to provide cross system locking, local buffer invalidation, and cross system data caching. With VSAM RLS, CICS regions that share VSAM data sets can reside in one or more MVS images within a parallel sysplex.
VSAM sphere
A base cluster, together with any alternate indexes defined with it.
VSAM volume data set (VVDS)
A data set that describes the characteristics of VSAM data sets and system-managed data sets residing on a given disk; part of an ICF catalog.
VSAMREC
A line operator and list command that can be issued from the ISMF DATA SET LIST panel to create a recovery job for VSAM spheres.
VTOC
Volume table of contents.
VVDS
VSAM volume data set.
X
XA
Extended Architecture.
XRF
Extended Recovery Facility.