OPEN (VSAM)

Syntax:

OPEN('VSAM',ddname[,options][,password])

Arguments:

'VSAM'

indicates that the VSAM access method is to be used to open the file. This argument must be coded as shown.

ddname

is the 1 to 8 character name that identifies the data set you want to process. This name needs to have been previously associated with the data set, either via the ALLOCATE command or JCL DD statement.

Note: The names 'VSAM', 'QSAM', and 'BPAM' are reserved. Do not use these strings for ddnames.

options

a character string describing the processing options for the data set. You may specify the options in any order. If multiple options are coded, they must be enclosed in parentheses and separated by commas. The options are organized into several groups. The options in some groups are additive. That is, you may specify one or more of the options in that group. Other groups have alternative options. From each group you may select only one option. The groups, their types, options, and descriptions are given in the section, "OPEN (ACB) Options".

password

a character string that contains the highest-level password required for the options specified in the options argument. If no password is supplied, but one is required, VSAM will prompt the console operator for the password.

Note: Passwords are not supported for SMS-managed data sets. You must have the appropriate security package (RACF, ACF2, etc.) authorization to open SMS-managed data sets.

Module Name:

Service Description:

Note: The Shadow REXXTOOLS VSAM interface is in no way connected with the REXX EXECIO command. You may use EXECIO and the REXXTOOLS QSAM and BPAM interfaces to access non-VSAM files at the same time you are accessing VSAM files.

Returned Information:

After completion of an OPEN function call, the RC and REASON variables will contain return code information. If the function call was successful, several other special REXX variables are created. You should treat these variables as "read only" and make no attempt to modify any of them. The variables are:

RC

Contains the VSAM OPEN return code. Zero means the operation was completed successfully.

REASON

Contains the VSAM OPEN reason code.

$SWXTYPE

Indicates the type of data set that has been opened: 'KSDS', for key- sequenced data sets; 'ESDS', for entry-sequenced data sets; 'RRDS' for relative record data sets; 'VRDS' for variable-length relative record data sets; and 'LDS', for linear data sets.

Note: Linear data sets can be accessed by control interval only.

$SWXLRCL

Specifies the maximum record length of records in the opened data set.

$SWXCNVL

Specifies the length of a control interval for the data set.

$SWXKEYO

Specifies the offset of the key field in the records of the data set (this variable has meaning for KSDSs only).

Note: The value of $SWXKEYO is zero- based. Thus a key that begins in the first byte of a record has an offset of 0; one that begins in the second byte has an offset of 1; and so on.

$SWXKEYL

Specifies the length of the keys in a key-sequenced data set's records.

$SWXRECS

Specifies the number of records currently in the data set.

Note: The value of the $SWXRECS variable is derived from the "statistics" portion of the entry for the data set. An alternative display of this information may be obtained from the "LISTC ENT(data set name) ALL" command. Be aware that the number of records can be inaccurate if the file is open for update by another program, or if the last program to update the data set failed to properly close it. Use the IDCAMS EXPORT and IMPORT commands to reset the statistics.

$SWXHRBA

Specifies the relative byte address of the end of the data set (applies only to the data component for KSDSs).

$SWXERBA

Specifies the high-used RBA. (applies only to the data component for KSDSs).

Examples:

1. Open a KSDS for sequential read access:

   if open('vsam','indd') <> 0 then say 'Open failed.'
   

   Note that no options are specified because '(KEY,SEQ,IN)' are defaults.
2. Open a KSDS for direct reading and writing:

   call open 'vsam', 'indd', '(key,dir,in,out)'
   

   Note that while '(KEY,IN)' are defaults, we have coded them explicitly in this case (if nothing else, explicitly coded options serve as good documentation of what you are trying to accomplish).
3. Open an ESDS for direct read access:

   call open 'vsam', 'indd', '(dir,adr)'
   

   This example shows that you can specify the options in any order.