The RETPD and AUTODELETE parameters are used together to set up a retention period and automatic deletion for a log stream. You can specify the RETPD and AUTODELETE parameters in a LOGR couple data set using either the IXCMIAPU utility or the IXGINVNT service in a program. See Add information about log streams and coupling facility structures to the LOGR policy.

The RETPD parameter allows you to specify a retention period for a log stream. On RETPD, you specify the number of days that you want to keep data in the log stream, even if the data has been marked for deletion using IXGDELET. For example, if you specify RETPD(7) in the LOGR policy for a log stream, the retention period for data in that log stream is 7 days from the time the data is written to the log stream by the application. System logger processes the retention period on a log data set basis. Once the retention period for the entire log data set has expired, the data set is eligible for deletion. System logger may not physically delete data as soon as it hits the retention period. The point at which system logger physically deletes the data depends on when the data set fills and what you specify on the AUTODELETE parameter.

Note that this retention period is different from a data set retention period on a JCL DD statement; a system logger retention period applies to the age of the log data, not the data set.