Syntax

[ DCB=(subparameter[,subparameter]...)                       ]
 
[ DCB= ( {dsname                        }[,subparameter]...) ]
[      ( {*.ddname                      }                  ) ]
[      ( {*.stepname.ddname             }                  ) ]
[      ( {*.stepname.procstepname.ddname}                  ) ]

Parentheses: You can omit the parentheses if you code:

Only one keyword subparameter.
Only a data set name, dsname, without any subparameters.
Only a backward reference without any subparameters. A backward reference is a reference to an earlier DD statement in the job or in a cataloged or in-stream procedure called by a job step. A backward reference is in the form *.ddname or *.stepname.ddname or *.stepname.procstepname.ddname.

For example, DCB=RECFM=FB or DCB=WKDATA or DCB=*.STEP3.DD2

Multiple subparameters: When the parameter contains more than one subparameter, separate the subparameters by commas and enclose the subparameter list in parentheses. For example, DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=133,BLKSIZE=399) or DCB=(*.DD1,BUFNO=4)

Continuation onto another statement: Enclose the subparameter list in only one set of parentheses. End each statement with a comma after a complete subparameter. For example:

   //INPUT  DD  DSNAME=WKDATA,DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,
   //         BUFL=800,BUFNO=4)

Alternate syntax for DCB keyword subparameters: All of the DCB keyword subparameters can be specified without the need to code DCB=. For example, the following DD statement:

   //DDEX  DD  DSNAME=WKDATA,DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800),DISP=MOD

can also be specified as:

   //DDEX  DD  DSNAME=WKDATA,RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=800,DISP=MOD

Note that KEYLEN, LRECL, and RECFM are described as DD parameters.

Note:

If the BUFMAX subparameter is coded with or without the DCB parameter, it can have a null value only when coded on a DD which either:
- Overrides a DD in a procedure
- Is added to a procedure.