Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) Interview Questions

Are you a Database Administrator? Need to update DBA technical knowledge or need to prepare for a job interview? Check out this collection of Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) Interview Questions...

What are the types of VSAM datasets ?
How are records stored in an ESDS, entry sequenced dataset?
What is a CI, control interval?
What are the distinctive features of a KSDA, key sequenced dataset?
What is a CA, control area?
What is a sequence set?
What is the index set?
What is a cluster?
What is the catalog?
What is an alternate index?
What is a path?
What is the upgrade set?
What is free space?
What is a VSAM split?
What is the base cluster?
Do primary key values have to be unique? Do alternate key values have to be unique?
In the COBOL SELECT statement what is the ORGANIZATION for a KSDS?
In the COBOL SELECT statement for a KSDS what are the three possibilities for ACCESS?
What is the COBOL RECORD KEY clause?
What is the purpose of the FILE STATUS clause in the SELECT statement?
If you wish to use the REWRITE command haw must the VSAM file be opened?
Explain the meaning and syntax for the START command.
What is the meaning of dynamic processing
Name some common VSAM error conditions and codes.
What is the VSAM-code field ?
What is a VSAM slot ?
What is the utility program closely associated with VSAM?
There are at least seven IDCAMS commands; name and explain each of them?
What are the three levels of definition for the VSAM DEFINE?
What is the significance of the SHAREOPTIONS parameter?
What is the meaning of the DEFINE MODEL parameter?
What is File Status in VSAM ?
What is a LDS (Linear Data Set ) and what is it used for ?
What is IDCAMS ?
Can AMS commands be run from the TSO prompt ?
Syntax of AMS modal commands ?
Under IDCAMS, multiple functions can be executed, each of which returns a condition code. What will be the condition code returned to the operating system ?
What is Control Interval, Control Area ?
What is FREESPACE ?
How do you decide on optimum values for CI, FREESPACE etc ... ?
Would you specify FREESPACE CE for an ESDS ?
What is SHAREOPTS ?
What is the meaning of each of the values in SHAREOPTS (2 3) ?
How do you define a kSDS ?
How do you define an ALTINDX ? How do you use ALTINDXs in batch, CICS program's ?
Using Alternate Indexes in Batch program:
Using Alternate Indexes in CICS program:
What happens when you open an empty VSAM file in a COBOL program for input ?
How do you initialize a VSAM file before any operation ? a VSAM with alternate index ?
What does a file status of 02 on a VSAM indicate ?
How do you calculate record size of an alternate cluster ? Give your values for both unique and nonunique.
What is the difference between sequential files and ESDS files ?
How do you load a VSAM data set with records ?
How do you define a GDG ?
Do all versions of the GDG have to be of the same record length ?
How are different versions of GDG named ?
Suppose 3 generations of a GDG exist. How would you reference the 1st generation in the JCL ?
Suppose a generation of GDG gets created in a particular step of a proc. How would you refer the current generation in a subsequent step ? What would be the disposition of this generation now ?
What more info you should give in the DD statement while defining the next generation of a GDG ?
Assuming that the DEFINE JCL is not available, how do you get info about a VSAM file's organisation ?
During processing of a VSAM file, some system error occurs and it is subsequently unusable What do you do ?
How do you fix the problem associated with VSAM out of space condition ?
What is the meaning of VSAM RETURN-CODE 28 ?
On which dataset You can have ALT INDEX ?
How many ALternate Indexes you can have on a dataset ?
Is it slower if you access a record through ALT INDEX as compared to Primary INDEX ?
What is RECOVERY and SPEED parameters in DEFINE CLUSTER command ?
Describe SHAREOPTIONS parameter (SHR) in Define Cluster command.
What does the KEYRANGES parameter in Define Cluster commends do ?
What are the optional parameters to the input dataset While loading the empty cluster with the data records ?
What is IDCAMS ? and what is the purpose of it ?
How to delete a member using JCL.
What is the difference between LDS and ESDS ?
Is a delete operation possible in an ESDS ? B, is rewrite operation possible in ESDS ?
What is an alternate index and path ?
How many buffers are allotted to VSAM KSDS and ESDS ?
What is the biggest disadvantage of using a VSAM dataset ?
What is the device independent method to indicate where a Record is Stored ?
How many times secondary space allocated ?
What is the RRN for the first record in RRDS ?
What is a Base Cluster ?
If FSPC(100 100) is specified does it mean that both the control interval and control area will be left empty because 100 % of both CI and CA are specified to be empty ?
Fill in the blanks
State whether true or False:
Choose the correct answer: