The buffer contents trace can help you determine whether a problem is in the host (VTAM® or an application program) or in the network. For example, if an application program sends a message to a terminal, and the message is correct in VTAM buffer contents trace output, but the message does not appear correctly at the terminal, then the problem is probably in a system resource other than VTAM or the application program.

The buffer contents trace cannot always be used to distinguish an application program problem from a VTAM problem. However, it can confirm the order in which data is passed between an application program and a logical unit. It can also record all the data passing to and from an application program.

If you do not need to trace user data, use the I/O trace.