APARs and PTFs

After a problem is confirmed an APAR can be raised and a PTF released. Use this topic to understand the APAR and PTF process.

An APAR

An authorized program analysis report (APAR) is the means by which a problem with an IBM program is documented, tracked, and corrected. It is also used to track problems with IBM documents.

An APAR is raised by the IBM change team when a new problem is reported for which a program or documentation change is required. It is separate to the PMR that is raised when you report first report the problem.

When the change team solves the problem, they might produce a local fix enabling you to get the system running properly again. Finally, a program temporary fix (PTF) is produced to replace the module in error, and the APAR is closed.

The APAR process

The first step in the APAR process is that an IBM support center representative enters your APAR into the RETAIN system. The APAR text contains a description of our problem. If we have found a means of getting around the problem, details of this are entered as well. Your name is also entered, so that the support center knows whom to contact if the change team needs to ask anything further about the APAR documentation.

When the APAR has been entered, we are given an APAR number. We must write this number on all the documentation you submit to the change team. This number is always associated with the APAR and its resolution and, if a code change is required, with the fix as well.

During the APAR process, the change team might ask you to test the fix on the system.

Lastly, we need to apply the PTF resulting from the APAR when it becomes available.

Applying the fix

When the change team have created a fix for the problem, they might want you to test it on the system.

When the team is confident that the fix is satisfactory, the APAR is certified and the APAR is closed.

Occasionally, the solution to the APAR requires a change to the documentation only. In some circumstances, the APAR might be closed with a classification code of FIN, which means that if there is a subsequent release of IBM MQ, a fix for this problem can be provided at this time.

The APAR becomes a PTF

If the solution requires a code change to the current release, when the APAR is closed the change is distributed as a PTF.

If we want a PTF to resolve a specific problem, we can order it explicitly by its PTF number through the IBM support center. For more information, see IBM MQ Support, Migration PTFs.