How to delete data from Tapes ?

leo_sangha · New User Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 85 Location: England

Hi All,

I want to delete data from TAPES. Is it possible ?

Can you share a sample JCL or the process to delete the data from the TAPES.

Thanks

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 2:57 pm

no

if on the other side You want to delete some records from any sequential file/dataset
You must copy skipping the unwanted/keeping the wanted records

dataset deletion on tape(s) is an improper term,
datasets on tape(s) get deleted when the tape(s) is/are reused/scratched

( rough approach on)
the datasets are sometimes made unavailable by uncataloging them

for the standards and practices in Your organization ask Your support

leo_sangha · New User Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 85 Location: England

Thanks Enrico for your reply,

I'm assigned a task to delete datasets which are on TAPES.

There are approximately 50 datasets spread over 100 tapes. These datasets are costing a lot/week. And i want to know can i delete these 50 datasets and possible some cost savings.

Robert Sample · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 5:23 pm

This is something more you need to discuss with your site support group as there may be standards and procedures already in place. Data sets on tape can be deleted just like any disk data set, but there are some additional things to be aware of. For example, if the tape data set was created with an expiration date, simply uncataloging the tape data set won't delete it. Your tape management system will usually maintain the tape until it is either explicitly deleted or the expiration date is reached. If the tape has multiple data sets, all of them have to reach expiration before the tape can be returned to the scratch pool.