Method for Automatic Dump Assurance

A computer implemented method, an apparatus, and a computer usable program product are provided for adjusting a dump file space in a data processing system. Events with a potential to cause a dump are detected in a data processing system. A dump file size is estimated based on the detected events. The estimated dump file size is compared to the size of an allocated dump file space. A value results from the comparison reflecting the difference between the estimated dump file size and the size of the allocated dump file space. If the allocated dump file space is insufficient to hold a dump file of the estimated size, storage space is reclaimed and the allocated dump file space is expanded to at least the estimated size.