Over the years, many customers reached the number of 10,000 data carriers. The system then started again with the number 0, as only four digits were available. This in turn could lead to a file name being assigned a second time, which caused problems.

What can you do?

One way to avoid this problem is, of course, to regularly delete the completed data carriers. The F11 function is available for this in the display of completed data carriers. You can enter the date up to which the files should be deleted in the past.

The better alternative, however, would be to switch to a 6-digit counter number. This option is available if you use the integrated file system (IFS) of the IBM i and no longer the old folder system (QDLS). In the IFS, the length of the file names is almost unlimited. This means that you have to select a directory other than the QDLS in “Maintain path details” (many customers have already done this). On the other hand, you must maintain tables, as is usual in DCW.

The two tables concerned are in the base client. The changeover is therefore system-wide.

In table T0503, check whether entry 40 (data carrier) has been created. The entry has been delivered with the software since July 2021.

You must add an entry B07 to table Z0010. This entry is assigned to category 40 and is given a field length of 6 with a field format of 3. The initial value should be 010000 so that there is no overlap with the old numbers.

As soon as the entry in table Z0010 exists, DCW uses it and assigns 6-digit counter numbers for the data carrier file.