Allocating line-sequential files

You can allocate a line-sequential file in the z/OS® UNIX file system by using either a DD statement or an environment variable. Allocation of line-sequential files follows the general rules for allocating COBOL files.

About this task

To allocate a line-sequential file, code a DD allocation or an environment variable that has a name that matches the external name in the ASSIGN clause:

A DD allocation:
- A DD statement that specifies PATH='absolute-path-name'
- A TSO allocation that specifies PATH('absolute-path-name')
You can optionally also specify these options:
- PATHOPTS
- PATHMODE
- PATHDISP
An environment variable that has a value of PATH(absolute-path-name). No other values can be specified.
For example, to have your program use z/OS UNIX file /u/myfiles/commuterfile for a COBOL file that has an assignment-name of COMMUTR, you can use the following command:
```
export COMMUTR="PATH(/u/myfiles/commuterfile)"
```

Related tasks
Allocating files
Defining line-sequential files and records in COBOL

Related references
MVS Program Management: User's Guide and Reference