If you are offloading to DASD, you should pre-allocate the data set because you cannot specify the SPACE= parameter on the OFFLOAD initialization statement. If the output data set has not been pre-allocated and pre-cataloged, you can use the OFFLOAD(n) initialization statement to define the tape unit on which the data set(s) will be defined and specify the tape label and security information about the data sets. The following OFFLOAD(n) parameters specify:

• LABEL= the type of label processing for the specified tape.
• PROTECT= whether the data set receives System Authorization Facility (SAF) protection.
• RETPD= the number of days JES2 retains the tape.
• UNIT= provides either a unit address, device type, or group name (to specify a general group of devices) on which JES2 writes the data set. The second value on this parameter defines the number of devices JES2 allocates to the data set.

Using these OFFLOAD initialization statement parameters frees the operator from additional involvement whenever a new offload data set is created.