We recently got a file full message, I increased the file size for now but was wondering if there Is any purge capability for the logs? 

Keith

An issue we're having is we have had to change the log files to size *NOMAX but when we install a new release the size is reset to the default 10,000 + 3x 1,000 =  13,000 records maximum. That is very small for a log file and sooner or later sending an email fails, causes a program to fail and other general trouble. This has happened to us twice now, despite a regular purge. We use MAILTOOL heavily for report distribution and last week we went over 13,000 in one week. Anything that you can do to prevent this such as increasing the default log size to something more reasonable? Open to any solutions.

Thank you,

Peter DeGregorio

Hi, Peter.

I hate to set the default too large.  I imagine I can make an update to the update programs to set the size of the log files.  That way you can specify it there.  I will put it on my to do list.

Even increasing the size to only 20000 records would help us. There are various alternatives. The root cause is upgrades to new versions resets our *NOMAX on the files back to the too-small IBM default (going back 30 years) of 13000 records.

Or on the installation instructions include steps to check and increase the log file sizes.

Thanks for considering.

Hi, Keith.

MAILTOOL does not include an automatic purge file for the log files.  This is because every shop is different and we made the choice to let each customer handle the files in their own way.

We've also covered this in a couple of newsletters, but in case you or anyone reading this wants more information, here is the layout of the MAILTOOL Log files:

MLTLOGPF

File Name . . . . MLTLOGPF                                        
  Library . . . .   MAILTOOL                                        
Format Descr  . . Mail Tool Log                                     
Format Name . . . RMLTLOG    
File Type . . . . PF            Unique Keys - N 
                                                                    
Field Name FMT Start Lngth Dec Key Field Description                
MTUSER      A      1    10         User Name                        
MTDATE      S     11     8  00     Date                             
MTTIME      S     19     6  00     Time                             
MTEFROM     A     25   256         Email From                       
MTID        S    281    13  00     Email ID                         
MTSENT      A    294     1         Sent                             

This is the Main file for the logs.  There will be one entry for each email that is sent.  Each email has a unique ID which is part of this file.

MLTLOGDPF

File Name . . . . MLTLOGDPF                               
  Library . . . .   MAILTOOL                              
Format Descr  . . Mail Tool Log Detail                    
Format Name . . . RMLTLOGD   
File Type . . . . PF            Unique Keys - N 
                                                          
Field Name FMT Start Lngth Dec Key Field Description      
MDEFROM     A      1   256         Email From             
MDID        S    257    13  00     Email ID               
MDETO       A    270   256         Email To               
MDETYPE     A    526    10         To Type                

This is a "detail" file for the logs.  For each recipient for an email there will be one entry in this file.  Each entry will contain the recipient and the type (TO, CC or BCC).  This file can be joined to the MLTLOGPF file by the unique email ID.

MLTLOGAPF

File Name . . . . MLTLOGAPF                             
  Library . . . .   MAILTOOL                            
Format Descr  . . Mail Tool Log Att Det                 
Format Name . . . RMLTLOGA   
File Type . . . . PF            Unique Keys - N 
                                                        
Field Name FMT Start Lngth Dec Key Field Description    
MAEFROM     A      1   256         Email From           
MAID        S    257    13  00     Email ID             
MAEFILE     A    270   256         Email File           

This is another "detail" file for the logs.  For each attachment in an email there will be one record in this file.  Again, this file can be joined to the MLTLOGPF file by the unique email ID.

Clearing/Archiving the MAILTOOL Log File

Each shop should set up their own archival/clearing process for these file.  Some will want to clear these files every so often, while others will want to archive the data and then clear the files.  Each shop should look at their own procedures to decide which option is best.

Brad
www.bvstools.com