If during sorting, the allocation of secondary space on one of the work data sets fails, the system issues a B37 informational message. DFSORT can recover by allocating space on one of the other work data sets, if one is available.

DFSORT normally allocates secondary extents for work data sets, even if not requested in the JCL. This reduces the probability of exceeding work space capacity.

If the disk work space is not sufficient to perform the sort, DFSORT issues a message and terminates.