Data set index record preservation

A system for preserving data set information in a computing storage environment, comprising:

• at least one processor device;
• a data set module controlled by the at least one processor device operational in the computing storage environment, wherein the data set module:
• pulls portions of index information from a name directory and an attribute directory to form a new subindex data set that is stored as a separate file from the name directory and the attribute directory, the name directory and the attribute directory each being associated with partitioned data set extended (PDSE) data sets stored sequentially in members, and the new subindex data set being associated with the PDSE data sets via a catalog entry,
• pursuant to an update to the PDSE data sets, stores at least one of a selected portion of an index record of the dataset as a record in the new subindex data set, wherein the step of storing at least one portion includes acting on an integrated catalog facility (ICF) catalog to perform operations relating to allowacation and maintenance of the new subindex data set, and
• replaces an oldest existing record with a most recent version, if a determination is made that adding the most recent version exceeds a predetermined number of versions, wherein at least one component of the new subindex data set is recoverable into the index record in an event of an error detected within the index record.

A computer program product preserving data set information in a computing storage environment, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

• a first executable portion that pulls portions of index information from a name directory and an attribute directory to form a new subindex data set that is stored as a separate file from the name directory and the attribute directory, the name directory and the attribute directory each being associated with partitioned data set extended (PDSE) data sets stored sequentially in members, and the new subindex data set being associated with the PDSE data sets via a catalog entry;
• a second executable portion that pursuant to an update to the PDSE data sets, stores at least one of a selected portion of an index record of the dataset as a record in the new subindex data set, wherein the step of storing at least one portion includes acting on an integrated catalog facility (ICF) catalog to perform operations relating to allowacation and maintenance of the new subindex data set;
• and
• a third executable portion that replaces an oldest existing record with a most recent version, if a determination is made that adding the most recent version exceeds a predetermined number of versions, wherein at least one component of the new subindex data set is recoverable into the index record in an event of an error detected within the index record