Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes intercepting one or more updates made to a catalog data set, storing the one or more updates in an update buffer, retrieving the one or more updates from the update buffer, sequentially applying the one or more updates to a backup catalog data set, identifying a request to replace the catalog data set, and replacing the catalog data set with the backup catalog data set, in response to the request.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for an application to provide for, in one embodiment, using hierarchical storage management to respond to a request to delete a data set by migrating the data set to another storage tier in a storage system before deleting the data set from its current location. As a result, the data set is stored on another tier to provide an opportunity to reverse the decision to delete the data set. In one embodiment, a temporary interval of time is provided to reverse the deletion decision and restore the data set from the migrated data set, before the data set is permanently deleted.

Abstract: A method for validating control blocks in memory includes monitoring for operations configured to obtain storage space in memory. The method examines the storage space that has been obtained to identify control blocks stored in the storage space. These control blocks are then analyzed to determine whether the control blocks are valid. In certain embodiments, this may be accomplished by comparing the content of the control blocks to information in a validation table that indicates possible values and ranges of values for fields in the control blocks. If a control block is valid, the method records a date and time when the control block was validated. If a control block is not valid, the method generates a message indicating that the control block is not valid. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing data sets of a storage facility is disclosed. The method, system, and computer program product include determining, by analyzing a first data set, that the first data set includes a first record having padded data. To identify the padded data, the method, system, and computer program product include comparing at least a portion of the first record of the first data set with a second record of a second data set. Next, the method, system, and computer program product include removing, from the first record of the first data set, the padded data.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium that predict times where cost of catalog caching is not efficient and deactivating catalog caching for that catalog during the predicted times. More specifically, an optimized catalog caching operation conducts historical analysis on catalog usage via records such as resource measurement facility (RMF) records and catalog statistical data.

Abstract: A method for validating control blocks in memory includes monitoring for operations configured to obtain storage space in memory. The method examines the storage space that has been obtained to identify control blocks stored in the storage space. These control blocks are then analyzed to determine whether the control blocks are valid. In certain embodiments, this may be accomplished by comparing the content of the control blocks to information in a validation table that indicates possible values and ranges of values for fields in the control blocks. If a control block is valid, the method records a date and time when the control block was validated. If a control block is not valid, the method generates a message indicating that the control block is not valid. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for switching between access methods while a data set is open includes attempting, on behalf of a first system, to gain access to a control interval of a data set. The method further determines whether the data set is already open by a second system. In the event the data set is already open, the method uses a first access method to access the control interval. In the event the data set is not already open, the method uses a second access method to access the control interval. In certain embodiments, the first access method is an RLS (Record Level Sharing) access method and the second access method is a base VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) access method. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium that predict times where cost of catalog caching is not efficient and deactivating catalog caching for that catalog during the predicted times. More specifically, an optimized catalog caching operation conducts historical analysis on catalog usage via records such as resource measurement facility (RMF) records and catalog statistical data.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining when to release a lock from a first task holding the lock to grant to a second task waiting for the lock. A determination is made as to whether a holding of a lock to the resource by a first task satisfies a condition and whether the lock is swappable. The lock is released from the first task and granted to a second task waiting in a queue for the lock in response to determining that the holding of the lock satisfies the condition and that the lock is swappable. The first task is indicated in the queue waiting for the lock in response to granting the lock to the second task.

Abstract: A method for switching between access methods while a data set is open includes attempting, on behalf of a first system, to gain access to a data set. The method further determines whether the data set is already open by a second system. In the event the data set is already open, the method uses a first access method to access the data set. In the event the data set is not already open, the method uses a second access method to access the data set. In certain embodiments, the first access method is an RLS (Record Level Sharing) access method and the second access method is a base VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) access method. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for an application to provide for, in one embodiment, using hierarchical storage management to respond to a request to delete a data set by migrating the data set to another storage tier in a storage system before deleting the data set from its current location. As a result, the data set is stored on another tier to provide an opportunity to reverse the decision to delete the data set. In one embodiment, a temporary interval of time is provided to reverse the deletion decision and restore the data set from the migrated data set, before the data set is permanently deleted.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing data sets of a storage facility is disclosed. The method, system, and computer program product include determining, by analyzing a first data set, that the first data set includes a first record having padded data. To identify the padded data, the method, system, and computer program product include comparing at least a portion of the first record of the first data set with a second record of a second data set. Next, the method, system, and computer program product include removing, from the first record of the first data set, the padded data.

Abstract: A method of and system for opening a data set is disclosed. The method and system may include structuring a storage facility to have address spaces. The address spaces may include a first address space having an open manager. The open manager may be configured and arranged to manage activities associated with an open request in response to receiving the open request. The method and system may include performing pseudo-opens associated with the open request in the address spaces. The method and system may include performing a batch-open utilizing the pseudo-opens and a resource used to complete the open request.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for assigning a cache structure to a catalog. The apparatus includes an identification module configured to identify a catalog for sharing in association with a coupling facility. The coupling facility includes a plurality of cache structures for catalogs of a cluster computing system. The coupling facility is configured to facilitate data sharing among a plurality of host systems of the cluster computing system. The apparatus includes a selection module configured to select a cache structure of the plurality of cache structures for the catalog based on one or more usage status indicators according to an assignment policy. The apparatus includes a storage module configured to store catalog information of the catalog in the cache structure in response to the selection module selecting the cache structure.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for an application to provide for, in one embodiment, using hierarchical storage management to respond to a request to delete a data set by migrating the data set to another storage tier in a storage system before deleting the data set from its current location. As a result, the data set is stored on another tier to provide an opportunity to reverse the decision to delete the data set. In one embodiment, a temporary interval of time is provided to reverse the deletion decision and restore the data set from the migrated data set, before the data set is permanently deleted.

Abstract: A method to dynamically switch between catalog sharing protocols includes monitoring, over a period of time, access to a catalog used to index data sets. Using information gathered during this monitoring period, the method divides the period of time into intervals based on which of a plurality of sharing protocols, used to access the catalog, would provide the best performance during the respective interval. The method schedules the sharing protocols to operate during their respective intervals going forward, and switches between the sharing protocols in accordance with the schedule. In certain embodiments, switching between the sharing protocols includes temporarily operating in a hybrid mode in which multiple sharing protocols operate simultaneously. When using this hybrid mode, the switch may occur when one sharing protocol begins to perform better than the other. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for switching between access methods while a data set is open includes attempting, on behalf of a first system, to gain access to a data set. The method further determines whether the data set is already open by a second system. In the event the data set is already open, the method uses a first access method to access the data set. In the event the data set is not already open, the method uses a second access method to access the data set. In certain embodiments, the first access method is an RLS (Record Level Sharing) access method and the second access method is a base VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) access method. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing data sets of a storage facility is disclosed. The method, system, and computer program product include determining, by analyzing a first data set, that the first data set includes a first record having padded data. To identify the padded data, the method, system, and computer program product include comparing at least a portion of the first record of the first data set with a second record of a second data set. Next, the method, system, and computer program product include removing, from the first record of the first data set, the padded data.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing data sets of a storage facility is disclosed. The method, system, and computer program product include determining, by analyzing a first data set, that the first data set includes a first record having padded data. To identify the padded data, the method, system, and computer program product include comparing at least a portion of the first record of the first data set with a second record of a second data set. Next, the method, system, and computer program product include removing, from the first record of the first data set, the padded data.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing data sets of a storage facility is disclosed. The method, system, and computer program product include determining, by analyzing a first data set, that the first data set includes a first record having padded data. To identify the padded data, the method, system, and computer program product include comparing at least a portion of the first record of the first data set with a second record of a second data set. Next, the method, system, and computer program product include removing, from the first record of the first data set, the padded data.