Access method selection

The fopen() and freopen() keyword noseek requests QSAM (queued sequential access method) be used to process the data set. This request also indicates that the repositioning functions will not be used by the application. This access method generally provides the best performance. Omitting the keyword noseek selects BSAM (basic sequential access method) with NOTE and POINT macros requested, allowing repositioning functions to be used (where applicable) on the stream.

The following scenarios exist where QSAM (noseek) is requested, but the z/OS XL C/C++ runtime Library switches to BSAM with NOTE and POINT macros requested (seek):
Note: Repositioning is not allowed when noseek is requested, even if there was a switch to seek.