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Cathygomez · Beginner Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 6 Topics: 3

Hi
when do we say the VSAM(KSDS) file as a fixed length file or Variable length file?

kolusu · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:50 am Post subject:

Cathygomez,

Can you elaborate your question?

Kolusu
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Mike Chantrey · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:30 am Post subject:

I guess what you want is this: If a KSDS has MAX and AVERAGE record length the same, it is regarded as fixed length. Otherwise it's variable length.
In CICS for example you typically don't need to specify record lengths for fixed length files.

Cathygomez · Beginner Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 6 Topics: 3

Kolusu,
I was trying to use a VSAM file with max=175 and averag=175 as a input in Syncsort. I was thinking that this file is a fixed lenght file hence I framed the outrec without considering the first 4 bytes which stores the lenght of the file. Sort was not working properly,

But at the same time, when i construct the outrec by considering this first 4 bytes(ie. the actual data starts from 5 bytes) the sort was working fine. Laughing

Sortmsg also saying input recfm=V!

So what is fixed length vsam file and variable length vsam file? how do we differentiate these?

souvik_225 · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 5:58 am Post subject:

As per my knowledge what Mike has said, is the way to differentiate between F and V Vsam files. Maybe u can show us the LISTCAT on the VSAM file.
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Souvik Upadhyay

Brian · Beginner Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 95 Topics: 6

I have always felt that a VSAM KSDS is a variable length dataset.

Cheers
Brian

kolusu · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 7:51 am Post subject:

Brian · Beginner Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 95 Topics: 6

Kolusu,

I did not mean vairable length in the actual sense. When i meant variable length i wanted to mention that records could take a length between the average and maximum specified lengths.

Cheers
Brian