Explanation

VERSIONS(limit) | SYSVERSIONS are mutually exclusive, optional parameters you can use to specify the maximum number of backup versions that DFSMShsm is to maintain for the data set.

VERSIONS specifies the number of backup versions that you want DFSMShsm to maintain for the data set. The maximum number of backup versions is limited to 29 versions or 100 versions based on the BCDS record length.

The following values are the valid maximum allowable number of backup versions for different BCDS record lengths:

Record length of 2040 to 6543 — 29 versions maximum
Record length of 6544 or more — 100 versions maximum

Your computing center can tell you the maximum number of backup versions you can specify for your installation.

For limit, substitute a decimal number from 0 through 100. If you specify 0, DFSMShsm does not maintain any backup versions for the data set. If you reduce the number of backup versions, DFSMShsm does not delete any existing backup versions when it processes the HALTERDS command. DFSMShsm deletes existing excess backup versions for a specified reduced limit at the time the data set is backed up or when an EXPIREBV command is performed.

SYSVERSIONS specifies that you want DFSMShsm to maintain the same number of backup versions for the data set that the system programmer specified or defaulted to. Use this parameter only if you issued a previous HALTERDS command to change the number of backup versions from the number specified by the system programmer.