PL/I open file requests

The i5/OS™ DDM user can access remote CICS^® files with PL/I programs.

When opening the file with the RECORD file attribute, the program must use the file attributes specified in the table below. By noting the values that appear in this table, you can determine the difference between accessing an iSeries™ database file and a remote VSAM data set.

Note: Remote files can also be opened with the PL/I STREAM file attribute. However, if the STREAM file attribute is used to open a VSAM KSDS, a server message occurs. This happens because records in a VSAM KSDS cannot be processed in arrival sequence.

Unless the CICS system has replaced the CICS/DDM exclusive file locking program, you cannot use the EXCL and EXCLRD file locking options for the ENVIRONMENT parameter when opening a remote VSAM data set.

Table 1. PL/I file attributes
PL/I file attributes	VSAM data set organization
PL/I file attributes	ESDS	RRDS	KSDS	VSAM Path
SEQUENTIAL	R	O	O	O
DIRECT	E	O	O	O
SEQL KEYED	E	O	O	O
INPUT	O	O	O	O
OUTPUT	O	O	O	E
UPDATE	O	O	E	E
CONSECUTIVE	R	R	E	E
INDEXED	–	–	R	R
Where: R Shows the attribute is required for accessing the VSAM data set. O Shows the attribute is optional for accessing the VSAM data set. E Shows the attribute is allowed by PL/I but the open fails when accessing the VSAM data set. – Shows the option is valid for keyed files only.