A spanned record (RECFM=VS or RECFM=VBS) can contain logical records of any length, because it can contain any number of segments. While each segment must be less than 32 756, the segments concatenated together into the logical record can be longer than 32 756 bytes. Here are some techniques for processing records longer than 32 756 bytes.

1. If you use QSAM with BFTEK=A, but do not use the BUILDRCD macro to create the assembly area, you can create a record of up to 32 756 bytes long.
2. If you use QSAM locate mode and specify LRECL=X in your DCB macro, you can process logical records that exceed 32 756 bytes. Instead of QSAM assembling the record segments into one logical record, QSAM will give you one segment at a time. Then, you must concatenate the segments together into one logical record.
3. If you use BSAM and specify LRECL=X in your DCB macro, you can process logical records that exceed 32 756 bytes. You need to concatenate the segments together into one logical record.

You cannot use BFTEK=A or the BUILDRCD macro when the logical records exceed 32 756 bytes.