A linear data set is a VSAM data set with a control interval size
of 4096 bytes to 32 768 bytes in increments of 4096 bytes. A linear
data set does not have imbedded control information. All linear data
set bytes are data bytes.
A linear data set is processed as an entry-sequenced data set,
with certain restrictions. Because a linear data set does not contain
control information (CIDFs and RDFs), it cannot be accessed as if
it contained individual records. You can access a linear data set
using these techniques:
- VSAM
- DIV, if the control interval size is 4096 bytes.
- Window services, if the control interval size is 4096 bytes.
Related reading: For information about using
data-in-virtual (DIV), see z/OS MVS Programming: Assembler Services Guide.