Lizette; There's nothing "magical" or special about an SMF dump (output) dataset such that you have to go to such extreme lengths to create one; its just a simple physical sequential dataset with a 32K record length and either V or VBS record format -- you can just create it using an IEFBR14 job with a DD that specifies the proper characteristics.
Quick follow-on ...... if you are going to be running a "future" job to 'MOD' data onto the end of this dataset you COULD even SKIP the above create step and just let the "MOD" operation create the dataet for you (that is, DISP=MOD ... means add to the end of the existing dataset -or- create a NEW one and put the data there). Be really careful with the DISP=MOD that you don't end up with a partial record at the "end" of the dataset and then when additional data is added to the dataset that partial record causes the follow-on data becomes in-accessible resulting in future attempts to read the dataset to fail. There are 'manual' steps and I think there are tool available that can be used to correct the issue in the event that this happens. One other thing ...... be really careful about doing the "IFASMFDP with output TYPEs" because IFASMFDP will NOT generate an "empty" / null dataset but rather one that has at a minimum the 'first' and 'last' records (which are "throw-aways) BUT if you specify any other record types (like you noted in your original message) then you could end up with DUPLICATE records Bill ..... IBM z/OS System Software Development and Service (past "SMF" Component owner) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
