DB2 Server for VSE & VM: Data Restore Guide

DESCRIBE

>>-DESCRIBE----------------------------------------------------><

Purpose

Use the DESCRIBE command to read an archive or unload a file and produce a report with information about the contents of the file.

To Data Restore RESTORE a Data Restore archive that was not the last archive taken, you first have to run the Data Restore DESCRIBE function in order to have the correct identification of that archive. It also gives you a list of tables that are available in this archive file and can be reloaded individually if necessary.

The archive identification must be specified in the CONTROL statement with "DATE=" and "TIME=" for the Data Restore RESTORE. Refer to Figure 168 for a sample CONTROL statement that defines an archive to be restored. The Data Restore DESCRIBE function reads one of the following:

• A Data Restore archive
• A Data Restore translated DB2 archive
• A Data Restore UNLOAD file

and produces a report with information about the contents of that file. From the report you can get information about the following values: date, time and names of reloadable tables.

Files

The Data Restore DESCRIBE requires some input and output files:

For VM only:

• SYSIN file - contains the command to be processed; in this case the DESCRIBE function. Figure 164 shows a sample of how this command could be used.
• SYSPRINT file - Data Restore feature creates a report of the contents from the Data Restore archive or Data Restore UNLOADed file. Figure 166 shows a sample of the SYSPRINT output.

For VM and VSE:

• ARCHIV - one of the following:
  • Data Restore archive file to be listed
  • Data Restore UNLOAD file to be listed