Extend files on tape

Find out how to extend files on tape with this example of a file extension.

Tape data files can be extended using the EXTEND parameter on the CRTTAPF, CHGTAPF, and OVRTAPF commands. The system does not support extending tape devices that do not support overwrite capability.

When you extend a file, any existing tape data following the specified file on the tape is no longer accessible by the system.

In the following example, a tape contains four files: FILE1, FILE2, FILE3, and FILE4. If FILE2 is extended, FILE3 and FILE4 are no longer accessible.

Note: If you specify EXTEND(*YES *CHECK) on the OVRTAPF command, the expiration date of the file (FILE3) that is following the extension of (FILE2) is checked. The expiration date will be checked before extending the file (FILE2). However, the expiration dates of any remaining files (FILE4) are not checked, even if EXTEND(*YES *CHECK) is specified.
Figure 1. Extend a file
This graphic is described
in the paragraph and note above.