Browsing active collection data

The Usage Monitor collects program usage information and writes out the collected data at least once each day. Once the data is in a data set, it is possible to browse it to determine if some expected usage was collected or not. Sometimes it would be advantageous to be able to determine if expected data collection has taken place without waiting for the collection cycle to end, either at the expected time or because it was triggered manually to facilitate data access.

Browsing active collection data using HZAZPEEK

The HZAZPEEK program provides a way of accessing data in the active collection repository. It writes a report to the HZAZDATA DD which can be directed to SYSOUT or to a sequential data set. The HZAZDATA file has fixed-length records with an LRECL set by the HZAZPEEK program. The record length depends on the items being reported and so is subject to change, but is currently 289 bytes. HZAZPEEK can be run in a batch job step or in a TSO session.

The HZAIPEEK REXX EXEC is shipped in the SHZAEXEC library and when executed presents the data from HZAZPEEK in an ISPF Browse session. Before using HZAIPEEK customize it by supplying the data set name of the program library containing the HZAZPEEK program, and store the EXEC with a suitable member name in your local REXX EXEC library.

The contents of the HZAZDATA file are not a documented programming interface. However, the first section of the report contains one line for each detail usage record that will be written by the writer task at the end of the collection cycle, and so a simple FIND command in an HZAIPEEK ISPF Browse session can tell you whether usage for a specific program has been detected in the current collection cycle so far or not. You can find program library data set name and job name details on the same report line.

HCL Technical Support may ask for information from HZAZPEEK reports while investigating and diagnosing problems.