What are the Pointer Check options with Database Analyzer for IMS?

Products

• Database Analyzer (IMS Tools)
• Database Analyzer for IMS for z/OS
• DATABASE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR IMS FOR Z/OS

Issue/Introduction

What are the differences of running FUNCTION=ANALYZE,POINTERCHECK=LOCAL/CROSSDSG/CROSSDBD
or FUNCTION=ANALYZEALL using Database Analyzer for IMS for z/OS?

Resolution

There are different kinds of checking possible with Database Analyzer.

1. FUNCTION=ANALYZE,POINTERCHECK=LOCAL
   
   Just checks the pointer within a specific dataset, pointer pointing to related datasets (e.g. index databases or different dataset groups) will NOT be checked.This usually is fine if Database Analyzer will be invoked by DBCOPY to check the pointer at the same time when a dataset will be image copied.
   
   
2. FUNCTION=ANALYZE,POINTERCHECK=CROSSDSG
   
   This forces Database Analyzer also to check pointers which point into a different dataset, containing segments belonging to a differentdataset group.
   
   
3. FUNCTION=ANALYZE,POINTERCHECK=CROSSDBD
   
   This forces Database Analyzer to check all pointers for a specific dataset, including those pointing to index databases, different datasetincluding those pointing to index databases, different dataset groups or logical related databases.
   
   
4. FUNCTION=ANALYZEALL
   
   This function is checking all related database datasets on the deepest level by default (POINTERCHECK=CROSSDBD) and is the recommended FUNCTION when Database Analyzer will be run as standalone execution.