IMS Database Component Verification on Mainframes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing IMS databases on mainframe computers is labor-intensive due to the risk of missing or incomplete database components, leading to operational failures and inefficiencies, as system administrators often inadvertently forget to create or delete necessary components, resulting in costly and time-consuming problems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automating the verification of IMS database components, which includes a processing unit and software that access IMS database libraries to identify missing components, generate reports, and assist administrators in ensuring all necessary components are present or deleted, thereby preventing operational failures and maintaining database efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If system administrators manually manage IMS database components, then they can create and delete databases, but they frequently forget to create or delete necessary components leading to operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically verifies the presence of all five required IMS database components for each database and generates reports notifying administrators of missing components. This feedback mechanism prevents operational failures by alerting administrators to incomplete database configurations without requiring manual verification of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by automatically checking whether all required IMS database components (IMS system macro, DBD, delete/define system, dynamic allocation member, and DBRC) exist for each database, reducing reliance on administrator memory and manual checking.
2Reliability
If system administrators manually verify each IMS database component, then they can ensure proper configuration, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming for thousands of databases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with an automated computer-based system that programmatically checks for the existence of all five required IMS database components across thousands of databases, dramatically reducing verification time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by proactively checking for missing components before they cause operational failures, generating reports that allow administrators to correct issues before they impact database operations.
3Productivity
If administrators delete IMS databases without verification, then database cleanup is faster, but leftover components clutter libraries and cause inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of orphaned IMS database components before administrators proceed with deletion operations. By pre-identifying which components belong to deleted databases, the system enables efficient bulk cleanup without leaving residual clutter in the libraries.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification system acts as an intermediary between database deletion operations and library maintenance, providing information about which components should be deleted along with the databases, thereby coordinating cleanup activities efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for ensuring existence all IMS database components operating on a mainframe computer may include a storage unit configured to store multiple IMS databases and multiple respective sets of IMS database components. A processing unit may be in communication with the storage unit. Software, when executed on the processing unit, may cause the processing unit to (i) access multiple IMS database libraries, (ii) identify each set of IMS database components that is missing at least one IMS database component in the IMS database libraries, and (iii) generate a report listing each set of IMS database components missing at least one IMS database component.