Restoring programs to a different release

This topic provides information about how to restore programs to a different release.

The internal object format for program objects is different between IBM® i V6R1 and earlier releases. When you move a program object (*MODULE, *PGM, *SRVPGM, *SQLPKG) between a release earlier than V6R1 and V6R1 or later, the system must convert the program object using the information that is stored with the program. If you are restoring an older format program onto V6R1 or later, the settings of the Force conversion on restore (QFRCCVNRST) system value and the Force object conversion (FRCOBJCNV) parameter on the restore command control whether the program object gets converted during the restore operation. If you set the QFRCCVNRST system value to 2 or greater, or use the FRCOBJCVN (*YES *ALL) parameter on the restore command, the program object gets converted on the restore.

In contrast, a V6R1-format program object is always converted when restored to a system running a release earlier than V6R1, regardless of the system value and restore command settings.

Object conversion occurs at one of the following times:

• When the object is used for the first time. This is the default behavior.
• When you use the Start Object Conversion (STROBJCVN) command to convert objects. This command operates on an entire library.
• When you restore the object, subject to the conditions described above.

You also can use the Change Module (CHGMOD), Change Program (CHGPGM), and Change Service Program (CHGSRVPGM) commands to re-create the object. The object is re-created in the format required by the system.

For information about how the system can take advantage of the latest hardware features of the system, see the How the system restores programs topic.