Method and system for reconfiguring a storage structure within a structure processing facility

A method by which one or more programs rebuild a storage structure in a data processing system comprising one or more processors coupled to one or more Structured External Storage (SES) facilities, each SES controlled by an associated SES processor, and each said storage structure located within a SES, said method comprising the steps of:

• allocating the first storage structure in the first SES, the first storage structure having one or more program defined characteristics, said program defined characteristics including controls for accessing, serializing, and requesting manipulation of information stored within said first storage structure by the SES processor in the first SES;
• connecting the one or more programs executing in the one or more processors to said first storage structure in the first SES and utilizing a name for identifying the first storage structure to allow use of said first storage structure by the one or more programs;
• initiating a rebuilding process for said first storage structure, including the steps of:
• maintaining the connecting step for continuing the shared access of the first storage structure in the first SES by the one or more programs during the rebuilding process;
• allocating a second storage structure distinct from said first storage structure in any SES, said second storage structure having one or more program defined characteristics different from said first storage structure for which the program defined characteristics include controls for accessing, serializing, and requesting manipulation of information stored in said second storage structure by a SES processor in said any SES;
• connecting said one or more programs to said second storage structure with the second storage structure utilizing the name of the first storage structure to allow use of said second storage structure by said one or more programs while the first storage structure and data contained therein remain on-line,
• building said second storage structure while said one or more programs share access of said second storage structure, while continuing to have on-line shared access to the first storage structure;
• and
• establishing said second storage structure as a replacement for said first storage structure by operation of said one or more programs regardless of whether the first and second storage structures are different.