Searching out and eliminating unuse files on AS/400
We have over 1700 files & members in a production library, and we know that there are many that are no longer used or pertinent. We thought we could clean these up by running DSPFD to a physical file and checking such parameters as "last used date", but this seems to be ambiguous and fraught with opportunities for error. Does someone have a better method to suggest?
Thanks for your past and present help.
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
December 9, 2008 8:48 PM
UPDATED:
December 13, 2008 3:40 AM
Answer Wiki:
If you want to reclaim space in multiple files at once, you can check out one of the many extra utilities that come with the "FEU" database editor. There is a tool that lets you do that. FEU has proven to be extremely useful over the years. You can download it for free to try - the company is Applied Logic. Good luck.
(OOPS - I think I accidentally overwrote someone else's earlier response. I'm SO SORRY!)
Nordan
It was my original answer:
<i>We used to have a cross reference of all the pgms and run a qry to check the use of a file, perhaps you can do something like this. + If you want to reclaim space in multiple files at once, you can check out one of the many extra utilities that come with the "FEU" database editor. There is a tool that lets you do that. FEU has proven to be extremely useful over the years. You can download it for free to try - the company is Applied Logic. Good luck.
- good luck. The command to run is DSPPGMREF you have to point to the library were you have your programs and select output to a file, then you can run a dspobjd over the library were you have the files and create another file with all the information. Run a qry crossing the information and you will have a list of the files that are not used. But be sure you have a backup (or two) before delet.</i>
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Hi,
I would suggest checking the last used and last updated dates on the files and members and moving the suspectedly unused files to another library on the production machine (and keeping the files there for a year). If you have problems in your application, because a file is not found, you can then move the file back and give the program a retry.
Not a perfect solution, but it should help.
Regards,
Martin Gilbert.
When I did this on one system I discovered files with thousands of members.
Focusing on those, it turned out that they were all temporary — used typically within 5 minutes of creation. I wrote a CL to delete any that were over a month old. Scheduled as part of the monthly cleanup processes.
What about deleted records..some of your files may need to be reorganized.
I have a developed a utility we use periodically that uses DSPOBJD across a library or whole system (your choice) that lists by library, all files (PFs & SAVFs) over 1 meg in size and over 6 months old. You can change those parameters if you wish in the code. It lists size, create date, last used date & owner.
Will send it to you free of charge if you’re interested. roger.stein@swansonhealth.com
Hit up Vision Solutions for the SATLITE tool. (it’s free)
It will scan and assess the size, use frequency of all the objects on your system.
And it will generate some user friendly reports to show you what your most active objects are.
It will also help you assess your data replication needs if you ever decide to implement High Availability.
You’ll still need to scan your code base for these file names before moving.
I agree with Gilly400, you’ll want to move the objects first.
Don’t delete until you’re certain they’re not needed.
You’ll need keep them around for Monthend and possibly yearend to ensure you don’t have any applications that still need them.