Interpreting software records

There are two types of software records that are recorded in the logrec data set or the logrec log stream:

Software record
The system generates these records, providing information from the system diagnostic work area (SDWA) that describes problems detected because of an abend or a program check. See Detail edit report for a software record for more information.
Symptom record
Either a user's application program or the system can issue the SYMREC macro to request the creation of a symptom record. Generally, the symptom record describes problems not accompanied by an abend, but there are exceptions. See Detail edit report for a symptom record for more information.

Use the search argument you obtain from the detail edit reports for either a software record or a symptom record to search for a known problem. If you do not conduct the search yourself, contact the IBM® Support Center. The result of the search will be one of the following:

The PTF that corrects the problem.
Apply the PTF that corrects the error.
The APAR, and possibly the related APAR, that describes the problem. In some cases, a temporary fix (either ZAP or update) or a procedure might circumvent the problem.
Apply the temporary fix if it is available; otherwise, follow the circumvention procedure.
A description of why the problem might have occurred, which often describes a frequent misuse of a product that causes the error record. This type of problem is referred to as a user error.
When an error occurs because of the misuse of a product other than MVS™, use the procedures documented for that product to determine how best to debug the problem.

For any case other than the three listed above, including the case where the service link database does not contain a record matching the search criteria, contact the IBM Support Center to report the problem.