This topic outlines the attributes common to most source files
and the restrictions for using these attributes.
Source files usually have the following attributes:
- A record length of 92 characters (this includes a 6-byte sequence number,
a 6-byte date, and 80 bytes of source).
- Keys (sequence numbers) that are unique even though the access path does
not specify unique keys. You are not required to specify a key for a source
file. Default source files are created without keys (arrival sequence access
path). A source file created with an arrival sequence access path requires
less storage space and reduces save/restore time in comparison to a source
file for which a keyed sequence access path is specified.
- More than one member.
- Member names that are the same as the names of the objects that are created
using them.
- The same record format for all records.
- Relatively few records in each member compared to most data files.
Some restrictions are:
- The source sequence number must be used as a key, if a key is specified.
- The key, if one is specified, must be in ascending sequence.
- The access path cannot specify unique keys.
- The ALTSEQ keyword is not allowed in data description specifications (DDS)
for source files.
- The first field must be a 6-digit sequence number field containing zoned
decimal data and two decimal digits.
- The second field must be a 6-digit date field containing zoned decimal
data and zero decimal digits.
- All fields following the second field must be zoned decimal or character.