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Spooling is a system function that saves data in a spooled file (or printer output file) for later processing or printing. When spooling is used, the spooled files are created from the application program, from a system program, or by pressing the Print key. The spooling function enables users to efficiently manage the input and output operations of the user data to be printed in the multiple-users environment. The spooled files are saved in an output queue and hold output data until it can be printed by the printer device. The files in the output queue may transit to different states while being processed by a writer. These states reveal the stages at which your printing process is currently in. The progression of the printing process mainly depends upon the sequential and error-free processing of the spooled files i.e., the state of the files should transit smoothly. For any reason, if the spooled files are stuck in any particular state for a prolonged time, the printing process will be delayed or stopped permanently based on the severity of the issue. This in turn, rapidly reduces the system performance and the user's printing experience. To avoid this, administrators should closely track status of the spooled files at regular intervals. This can be achieved using the AS400SpFileTest test!

By periodically executing this test, administrators can figure out the number of spooled files in different states. Using the metrics reported by this test, administrators can promptly detect the number of files that are stuck in the HLD (HOLD) status and take immediate steps to release the files from the HOLD status.

Outputs of the test : One set of results for the AS400 server that is being monitored.

Measurement	Description	Measurement Unit	Interpretation
Spooled_file_in_clear	Indicates the number of spooled files that are in various states such as OPN, RDY, CLO, SAV, MSGW, PND, and PRT states.	Number	The spooled files might have any one of the following states: RDY (Ready) - Indicates the file is available to be written to the printer device by a writer. OPN (Open) - The file has not been completely processed, and is not ready to be selected by the writer. CLO (Closed) - In this state, the file has been completely processed by a program but SCHEDULE(*JOBEND) was specified and the job that produced the file has not yet finished. PND (Pending) - The spooled files to be printed are pending. PRT (Printing) - This states indicates that the spooled files have been completely sent to the printer but print complete status has not been sent back. SAV (Saving) - In this state, the files will be written and saved until they are released for printing. MSGW (Message Wait) - When a file encountered a run time error, then the program halts execution and waits for the user reply. This stage is known as a MSGW status of a file.
Spooled_file_in_warning	Indicates the number of spooled files that are in the WTR status.	Number	In the WTR (Writer) state, the files will be produced by the writer on an output device.
Spooled_file_in_critical	Indicates the number of spooled files that are in the HLD state.	Number	The spooled files being processed by the writer may be moved to a HOLD (HLD) status. The files stuck in this state cannot be printed automatically but have to be released by the administrator manually to get printed. This will cause a processing overhead on the printer device. Ideally, the value of this measure should be very low.