Explanation: LIMIT(nnnn) is an optional parameter specifying when recycle quiesces. RECYCLE quiesces after the net specified number of tapes have been returned to scratch status. Each task completes the connected set currently being processed and no additional ones are started. You can specify the number of scratch tapes needed (nnnn) from 1 to 9999. The LIMIT parameter is subject to the number of tapes allowed by the PERCENTVALID parameter; the LIMIT parameter provides a way to stop processing before all the candidates meeting the PERCENTVALID value are processed.
Net is determined by tapes read in for input minus tapes written to for output. For RECYCLE ALL, the LIMIT is applied to ML2 tapes and BACKUP tapes separately. That is, RECYCLE ALL LIMIT(100) results in 100 net ML2 tapes and 100 net BACKUP tapes, unless you do not have enough tapes that meet the eligibility criteria, for example, when the values indicated by the SETSYS RECYCLEPERCENT or the SETSYS ML2RECYCLEPERCENT parameter have been met.
Defaults: If LIMIT(nnnn) is not specified on the RECYCLE command, DFSMShsm processes all tapes eligible for RECYCLE processing.