Even though the Record Analysis and Processing program requires an IDCAMS EXPORT copy of the catalog as input to recovery, it is still possible to use other programs, such as DFSMShsm and DFSMSdss, to backup your catalogs. However, if you do so, you will first have to recover or restore the catalog to be recovered and then create an EXPORT copy using IDCAMS. Consequently, we recommend that IDCAMS be used as the regular backup program.

If you employ an automatic backup method or a physical dumping technique, do not neglect the need to run regular diagnostics for your catalogs. If you use an automated method, you will not be able to synchronize backup and diagnosis. With physical dumping, you will not have the record level copy that implies at least a minimal level of index- and record-sequence checking. Thus the diagnostic steps should not be omitted.

Just as with IDCAMS EXPORT, you must keep track of the date and time of catalog backups when other programs are used. DFSMShsm will record this information automatically. With DFSMSdss, you must use a technique similar to the one suggested in Figure 1 and Figure 2.