Parameter type

Keyword, optional

Purpose

Use the EXPDT parameter to specify the expiration date for a new data set. On and after the expiration date, the data set can be deleted or written over by another data set.

If the DD statement contains DISP=(NEW,DELETE) or the DISP parameter is omitted and defaults to NEW and DELETE, the system deletes the data set when the step terminates, either normally or abnormally, even if you have specified an expiration date.

Do not specify EXPDT for a temporary data set.

The EXPDT parameter achieves the same result as the RETPD parameter.

Code the EXPDT parameter when you want to specify an expiration date for the data set, or, with SMS, override the expiration date defined in the data class for the data set.