IDCAMS DELETE using generic level qualifiers (asterisks) gives unexpected results

Answer

• • • Description:
      
      
      Examples of how the generic level DELETE works given the following data sets:
      1) AAA.BBB.CCC.DDD
      2) AAA.BBB.CCZ.DDD
      3) AAA.BBB.CCC.DDD.EEE
      4) AAA.BBB.CCC
      
      DELETE AAA.* results in the deletion of no data sets.
      DELETE AAA.BBB.* results in the deletion of data set #4.
      DELETE AAA.BBB.*.DDD results in the selection of data sets #1 and #2.
      DELETE AAA.BBB.*.DDD.EEE results in the deletion of data set #3.
      
      The command:
      
      DELETE AAA.BBB.*.*
      
      Will fail with:
      IDC3203I ITEM ' AAA.BBB.*.* ' DOES NOT ADHERE TO RESTRICTIONS
      
      DELETE AAA.*.CCC.*
      
      Will fail with:
      IDC3203I ITEM ' AAA.*.CCC.* ' DOES NOT ADHERE TO RESTRICTIONS
      
      
      Resolution:
      
      When a generic level name is specified, only one qualifier can replace the asterisk ( * ) . The number of level qualifiers (generic + specific) specified with the DELETE command must match the number of level qualifiers of the data set to be deleted.
      
      NOTE: A reader's comment has been submitted to include this in the manual:
      'Access Method Services for the Integrated Catalog Facility'