Using a save file allows you to save and restore objects without first placing save media into your save media device. You can also use a save file to send objects from one iSeries™ server to another over communications lines. You can use the save file as an online container to save the contents of a single library to run overnight. The next day, save the contents of the save file to storage media with the Save Save File Data (SAVSAVFDTA) command. Objects saved to media using the SAVSAVFDTA command can be restored directly from save media, using the RSTLIB, RSTOBJ, or RST command.
A few things to consider when saving to save files are:
Remember to specify data compression on the save commands to reduce the space for the save file and the amount of media needed for the SAVSAVFDTA command. (Data compression is not an option on the SAVSAVFDTA command.)