OUTFILE parameter considerations for DDM

The OUTFILE parameter is used on such commands as the Display File Description (DSPFD), the Display File Field Description (DSPFFD), the Display Object Description (DSPOBJD), and the Create Auto Report Program (CRTRPTPGM). The parameter identifies a database file into which output data created by the command is stored.

When the name of a DDM file is specified on the OUTFILE parameter of these commands, two restrictions apply:

The remote server must be an iSeries™ server or a System/38™. This is necessary to ensure that the associated remote file has the proper format for the output data.
The remote file associated with the DDM file must already exist. If the remote file does not exist, a message is returned to the user indicating that the remote file must exist before the function can be performed.

If the remote file named on the OUTFILE parameter does exist and is on an iSeries server or a System/38, the file will be checked for three conditions before it can be used as an output database file to store displayed output:

The remote file must be a physical file.
The remote file must not be a model output file. That is, it cannot be one of the model output files provided with the i5/OS™ operating system which has the required format, but no data.
The record format name in the remote file must match the model output file record format name. (This condition requires that the remote system be an iSeries server or a System/38.)

If all of these conditions are met, the remote file member is cleared. (Output file members must be cleared before they can be used again.) If the remote file member does not exist, it is created and the output is stored in it.