Procedure

  1. Determine whether failure-related record management return codes and reason codes exist.

    VSAM provides return codes in register 15 and reason codes in either the access method control block (ACB) or the request parameter list (RPL). Reason codes in the ACB indicate VSAM open or close errors. Reason codes in the RPL indicate VSAM record management error indications returned to the caller of record management. Reason codes returned to the caller of record management in the RPL indicate VSAM record management errors.

  2. Record any failure-related RPL feedback word (a hexadecimal full word) and RPL return code on the Keyword worksheet as modifier keywords. The IBM® Support Center can use these values to identify a failure-related module and the nature of the incorrect output.
    Example: If the RPL feedback word is X'000C0010', specify the following keywords: 
    RPLFDBWD 000C0010
  3. Determine whether you have a damaged VSAM data set.

    Some incorrect output failures involve a damaged VSAM data set. To determine whether you have a damaged data set, use the IDCAMS EXAMINE command as described in the topic on functional command format in z/OS DFSMS Access Method Services Commands and the topic on checking a VSAM key-sequenced data set cluster for structural errors in z/OS DFSMS Using Data Sets. The EXAMINE command provides details about the nature of data set damage.

    If these service aids indicate that the data set is not damaged, inform the IBM Support Center if you call for assistance. If they indicate that the data set is damaged, keep a copy of the output for possible use by the IBM Support Center. Be prepared to describe the type of data set damage. You should attempt to recover the data set and rerun the failing job to determine whether the problem is resolved.

    The system can indicate a damaged data set by one of the following:
    • Messages (discussed in Message section)
    • ABEND0C4 (discussed in ABEND section)
    • Wait/Loop (discussed in Wait/Loop section)
    • RPL feedback word:  nnX'08'nnX'9C' or nnX'08'nnX'20'
  4. If the data set is damaged, rebuild it as directed in VSAM record management (R/M) diagnostic aids, and rerun the job.
  5. See Modifier keywords.
Parent topic: VSAM record management—incorrect output keyword