The BDELETE command deletes all the backup versions of a specific data set or deletes specific backup versions by version number or date. You can specify multiple data set names with the BDELETE command.
If you have cataloged and uncataloged data sets with the same name, DFSMShsm deletes the backup versions of either the cataloged or uncataloged data sets, not the backup versions of both. See note 2.
To delete retired versions, you must use the BDELETE command and must specify the version number or date and time of the retired version.
To delete all backup versions of a data set, both active and retained, you must use the ALL parameter on the BDELETE command.
If all backup versions of a data set are deleted, parameters previously specified with the ALTERDS command are no longer in effect.
When the BDELETE command is submitted from a batch environment, no messages indicating the success of this function are issued. You can use the LIST command to obtain information on existing backup versions.