The SYSUT2 DD statement is required every time IEBPTPCH is used. The record format is FBA or, if PREFORM=M is coded, FBM. The LRECL parameter, or, if no logical record length is specified, the BLKSIZE parameter, specifies the number of characters to be written per printed line or per punched card (this count must include the control character). The number of characters specified must be in the range of 2 through 145. The default values for edited output lines are 121 characters per printed line and 81 characters per punched card.

The SYSUT2 data set can be blocked by specifying both the LRECL and the BLKSIZE parameters, in which case, block size must be a multiple of logical record length. The block size cannot exceed 32760 bytes.

Both the output data set and the message data set can be written to the system output device if it is a printer.

If the logical record length of the input records is such that the output would exceed the output record length, IEBPTPCH divides the record into multiple lines or cards in the case of standard printed output, standard punched output, or when the PREFORM parameter is specified. For nonstandard output, or if the PREFORM parameter is not specified, only part of the input record is printed or punched (maximums determined by the specific characteristics of your output device).