PTF
Program temporary fix: a packaged fix from IBM for a problem in z/OS or another IBM product, installed with SMP/E.
Also written program temporary fix, RSU, PTF in error, PE PTF, HOLDDATA
A PTF, or program temporary fix, is how IBM delivers a fix for its software. Despite the word "temporary", a PTF is a permanent fix. The name has stayed from long ago.
Each PTF has a seven-character ID made of two letters and five digits, such as UJ12345. It fixes one or more reported problems, called APARs, and it is installed with SMP/E. A PTF can depend on others, and SMP/E makes sure they are applied in the right order.
Most sites do not apply PTFs one by one. IBM tests groups of them together and publishes service levels called RSU, recommended service upgrade, and sites move their systems to a newer RSU level a few times a year.
Sometimes a PTF itself turns out to have a problem. It is then marked as a PTF in error, or PE, and SMP/E warns anyone about to install it. Instructions that come with a PTF, such as an action needed before or after it, are called HOLDDATA.
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- SMP/ESystem Modification Program/Extended: the tool used to install and maintain z/OS and other software, keeping a record of every piece and every fix.
- APARAuthorized Program Analysis Report: IBM's official record of a reported problem in its software, and of how it is fixed.
- Change controlThe process every change goes through before reaching production: reviewed, approved, scheduled and reversible.
- System programmerThe person who installs, configures, tunes and upgrades the operating system and its subsystems.
- z/OS releaseThe version number of z/OS a system runs, such as 2.5 or 3.1, which IBM updates with a new release every two years.