MERGE and MERGEEND subcommands — merge multiple traces

Use the MERGE subcommand to merge multiple component traces and generalized trace facility (GTF) traces chronologically. MERGE combines formatted trace entries produced by CTRACE subcommands, GTFTRACE subcommands, or both, into chronological order in a single report. Use the MERGEEND subcommand to stop merging traces.

Start the merging by entering MERGE in IPCS line mode. Next, format the traces to be merged by entering, one at a time, CTRACE and GTFTRACE subcommands. You can enter up to 16 subcommands. To mark the end of the merging, enter MERGEEND.

Note: It is recommended that you use the MERGE option in the IPCS Dialog. See z/OS MVS IPCS User's Guide for more information.

MERGE can process any of the dump or trace data sets that CTRACE and GTFTRACE can process; however, MERGE has one restriction. Only one of the trace sources may be on tape. The rest must be on direct access storage device (DASD).

Do not specify different output locations on the CTRACE and GTFTRACE subcommands. Each subcommand must contain the same output specifications. For example, do not specify PRINT on one subcommand and TERMINAL on another.

Any syntax errors on the CTRACE and GTFTRACE subcommands will result in unsuccessful processing of MERGE.