What is L3 value of SORTIN LRECL means?

Mariraj · New User Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Chennai

I came across the below statement in DFSORT reference material.

The length of the INREC/OUTREC record (reformatted length) is not used to determine the LRECL of SORTOUT. If not specified in the DSCB or DD statement, the value for SORTOUT LRECL is determined in the usual way (that is, from the L3 value or SORTIN LRECL). If the reformatted length does not match the SORTOUT LRECL, padding/truncation of the output records is performed, if possible.

What is this L3 value and how is it determined?

CICS Guy · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:22 pm

I failed to find it in the z/OS V1R11.0 DFSORT Application Programming Guide but since I remember it from VSE I tried the DFSORT/VSE Application Programming Guide....

4.3.6.3 At Output (E35 User Exit)
Altering Records: You can add, modify, or delete fields anywhere in the records. If the maximum length of the records is changed, the modified length must be specified by the L3 value in the RECORD control statement, unless ADDROUT, ADDROUT=D operand or INREC, or OUTREC control statement is specified.
Deleting Records: Any unwanted records can be deleted.
Inserting Records: Records can be inserted at any time but your user exit routine must insert them in the correct sequence.

L3
Output record length after E35 user exit routine. For variable-length records, maximum record length after E35 user exit routine.
Notes:
1. L3 is ignored if E35 user exit routine is not used.
2. An accurate value for L3 must be specified if E35 user exit routine changes the record length.
Default: L2 for a sort, or L1 for a merge and copy.

Robert Sample · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:36 pm

Try section 3.15 of the Programming Guide, RECORD statement, LENGTH option -- L3 is described there.

CICS Guy · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:56 pm

Mariraj · New User Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Chennai

Thanks to both of you.