Automation Server control data set maintenance

A record is kept for every data set processed by the Automation Server in the Automation Server control data set, ACDS. The purpose of this record is to prevent the repeated processing of a data set for the same data set name mask. As records accrue, the size of the data in the ACDS continues to grow.

If a processed data set is deleted, or a data set name mask is removed from the set of masks processed by the Automation Server, then there is no reason to keep a record of that data set in the ACDS. The Automation Server performs a cleanup cycle for the ACDS on a daily basis. This cleanup cycle consists of reading the ACDS sequentially, and deleting records for data sets which have not been found by catalog search. This is based on the relevant data set name mask in the current calendar month, or in the prior calendar month.

As with most VSAM data sets with ongoing record insertion and deletion activity, it is advisable to periodically reorganize the ACDS.