Name for physical and logical files (positions 19 through 28)

Use these positions to specify record or field names.

You can specify the names of the following items:

The record format for this physical file or formats for this logical file
The field name or field names that make up the record format (unless you specify the FORMAT or PFILE keyword at the record level)
The field or fields used as key fields
For logical files, the field or fields to be used for select/omit specifications

Note: The file name is specified through the Create Physical File (CRTPF) command, not in the DDS.

Names must begin in position 19.

You must specify the name type in position 17, unless you are specifying a field name or select/omit AND condition.

Record format
When you specify R in position 17, the name specified in positions 19 through 28 is a record format name.
Field name
When position 17 is left blank, the name specified in positions 19 through 28 is a field name.
Key field name
When you specify K in position 17, the name specified in positions 19 through 28 is a key field name.
Select or omit field name
Use select or omit fields to tell the operating system how to select or omit records when your program retrieves them using this record format. The only records affected are those from the physical file(s) specified for the PFILE or JFILE keyword for this record format.

Parent topic: Positional entries for physical and logical files (positions 1 through 44)

Related reference

Related information

Rules for DDS keywords and parameter values