Erasing a File

Use the ERASE command to delete one or more of your CMS files or SFS directories. If a file is to be deleted, the file name, file type, and file mode (or directory identifier) are operands. If a directory is to be deleted, the directory identifier is the only operand needed.

For example, the following command will delete the file, DATA FILE A1:

erase data file a

Use the DISCARD command to erase a file or subdirectory that is displayed in a list (such as the FILELIST display). The DISCARD command is equivalent to the ERASE command. DISCARD can either be entered in the command area (Cmd) of the line that describes the file you want discarded, or it can be entered from the command line (at the bottom of the screen). DISCARD can only be used while in FILELIST, DIRLIST, RDRLIST, MACLIST, and PEEK command environments. For more information on the DISCARD or ERASE command, see z/VM: CMS Commands and Utilities Reference.