Yes, for one GDG can have one generation on disk and other on tape. GDG base is basis for building GDG dataset format. But in JCL you can mention the storage media as tape or disk
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Browse All TopicsOS/390 MVS - Generation Data Group Question - For generations under one gdg, can the generations be either tape or disk files?. Other than in the output specs in a batch jcl is there anything in the building of a gdg base file that dictates what the dasd of the generations has to be. IE can the generations be either tape or disk? What would be some considerations?
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by: giltjrPosted on 2007-06-06 at 20:03:15ID: 19230296
The generation can reside on disk or tape or a combination. That is generation 1 can be on disk, generation 2 on disk, generation 3 on tape, generation 4 on disk, generation 5 on take. I would not recommend it, but it can be done.
What media the generations goes on can be specified in JCL, but if you are a SMS shop the ACS routines can change this. There are also various places that user written exits can change it.
The biggest consideration of what media a GDG goes on is what the file is used for. Backing up a file to ship the copy offsite won't work too well if you are putting the backup on DASD.
The next is how often will the file be read. If you are going to read it every 10 minutes throughout the whole day, then putting it on tape will get your operators upset with you.