Data set organization

Generally, RECEIVE cannot reformat data sets. The data set into which received data is to be written must have the same record format as the original data set. The record length must be compatible. That is, equal for fixed-length records and equal or longer for variable-length records. The block size of the received data set can be any value that is compatible with the record length and record format. If a mismatch is found in record length, block size, or record format, RECEIVE terminates with appropriate error messages and return codes.

You can receive sequential or partitioned data sets with record formats of F, FS, FB, FBS, V, VB, and U. The largest fixed-length record data set TSO/E can receive from VM is 32,760. Data sets with machine and ASA print-control characters are also supported. RECEIVE does not support data sets with keys, ISAM data sets, VSAM data sets, or data sets with user labels.