AVGREC parameter

Parameter type

Keyword, optional — use this parameter only with SMS.

Purpose

Use the AVGREC parameter when you define a new data set to specify that:
  • The units of allocation requested for storage space are records.
  • The primary and secondary space quantity specified on the SPACE parameter represents units, thousands, or millions of records.

When you use AVGREC with the SPACE parameter, the first subparameter (reclgth) on the SPACE parameter must specify the average record length of the records. If AVGREC is present and the SPACE parameter specifies CYL, TRK, or ABSTR, the system allocates space for the data set in ways that are inconsistent with AVGREC space allocation. This might lead to unpredictable errors or abend conditions.

Code the AVGREC parameter when you want to (1) specify records as the units of allocation or (2) override the space allocation that is defined in the data class for the data set.

If SMS is not installed or is not active, the system checks the syntax and then otherwise ignores the AVGREC parameter.