Reclaiming Storage

Besides IPLing regularly, you can do something else to keep your system in good shape: run the various Reclaim (RCLXXX) commands.

Reclaim Storage (RCLSTG)

The Reclaim Storage (RCLSTG) command is one of the few CL commands that has no parameters. It performs only one function and allows no variations. The RCLSTG command checks all auxiliary (DASD) storage and performs the following clean-up tasks:

• It collects to library QRCL all objects that have fallen outside of a library; QRCL is created if it doesn't exist. Because all objects must be within libraries, this is an abnormal situation. RCLSTG takes care of it.

• If RCLSTG finds an object without an owner, an object whose owner does not exist, or an object whose owner's user profile is damaged, it assigns an owner of QDFTOWN.

• It deletes damaged or destroyed objects.

• If an object is protected by a damaged, destroyed, or otherwise unusable authorization list, the system secures the object with authorization list QRCLAUTL, which is part of QSYS.

• If keyed database files have been damaged, RCLSTG rebuilds their access paths.

RCLSTG must be run interactively from the system console, with all subsystems ended (including the controlling subsystem). You can't submit RCLSTG to batch. All corrective actions taken by RCLSTG are recorded in message queue QSYSOPR and in the system log, QHST.

RCLSTG can take a long time, especially if you have not run it in a while. Always schedule downtime for off-hours or during the weekend.

Tip 

You must make room for a periodic run of RCLSTG, even if your system must remain running all the time. If you do not run RCLSTG periodically, the system may start to give you trouble.

Reclaim Documents (RCLDLO)

The Reclaim Document Library Objects (RCLDLO) command is similar to RCLSTG in that it also reclaims space occupied by unusable objects. RCLDLO reclaims space from folders and documents in QDOC. If you use the folders file system, you should run RCLDLO periodically.

Unlike RCLSTG, RCLDLO doesn't require a dedicated system; however, you probably should run RCLDLO that way in order to avoid lock contention on objects that may be in use.

When RCLDLO runs, it creates two folders named QRCLNNN.DOC and QRCLNNN.FLR, where it places folders and documents that were found in error. When RCLDLO finishes, check these folders. If they contain any objects, you will have to move the objects to their appropriate place; then you should delete both folders from the system.