After a GET for update retrieves a record, an ERASE macro can delete the record. The ERASE macro can be used only with a key-sequenced data set or a fixed-length or variable-length RRDS. When you delete a record in a key-sequenced data set or variable-length RRDS, the record is physically erased. The space the record occupied is then available as free space.

You can erase a record from the base cluster of a path only if the base cluster is a key-sequenced data set. If the alternate index is in the upgrade set in which UPGRADE was specified when the alternate index was defined, it is modified automatically when you erase a record. If the alternate key of the erased record is unique, the alternate index data record with that alternate key is also deleted.

When you erase a record from a fixed-length RRDS, the record is set to binary zeros and the control information for the record is updated to indicate an empty slot. Reuse the slot by inserting another record of the same length into it.

With an entry-sequenced data set, you are responsible for marking a record you consider to be deleted. As far as VSAM is concerned, the record is not deleted. Reuse the space occupied by a record marked as deleted by retrieving the record for update and storing in its place a new record of the same length.