RECMODE

Specifies the default format of files.
Note: This directive is supported for native COBOL only.

Syntax:

>>-.---.--RECMODE--"format"----------------><
   +-/-+

Parameters:

format
One of:
F
Fixed-length record format.
V
Variable-length record format.
OSVS, VSC21, VSC22
Fixed or variable depending on a file's record definitions. If all record definitions for the file have the same length and are fixed length, the file is fixed-length record format. Otherwise it is variable-length record format.
COBOL370, ENTCOBOL, MVS, OS390, VSC23, VSC24
Fixed or variable length depending on the file's record definitions. If all record definitions for the file are the same length, and are fixed length and/or the FD entry has a RECORD CONTAINS x CHARACTERS clause, the file is fixed-length record format. Otherwise it is variable-length record format.
RMCOBOL
Fixed or variable depending on a file's record definitions and RECORD CONTAINS clause. If all record definitions for the file have the same length and are fixed length (that is, are not described with an OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause) and the RECORD CONTAINS clause does not specify a range of lengths, the file is fixed-length record format; otherwise, the file is variable-length record format.
For fixed length records, because of a RECORD CONTAINS n CHARACTERS clause, the minimum record length will be set to n even if there are record descriptions for the same file that describe fewer than n character positions.

Properties:

Default: RECMODE"F"
Phase: Syntax check
$SET: Initial

Dependencies:

RECMODE"VSC22" set at end by CMPR2.

DIALECT"RM" sets RECMODE"RMCOBOL" immediately.

Comments:

For an individual file this directive is overridden if the FD contains either a RECORD IS VARYING phrase (which specifies variable format) or a RECORDING MODE clause.