PDSE member size limits

Before z/OS Version 2, PDSE data members were limited to 15␠728␠639 records. The limit increases in Version 2 to 2␠146␠435␠071 records, for PDSEs being accessed with any of the following sets of characteristics:

Note: In the following, DSORG=PS indicates that a member is being read or written with BSAM. DSORG=PO indicates that a member is being read or written with BPAM.

Open for OUTPUT, with DSORG=PS, and the DCB does not have a MACRF value of either RP or WP or both
Open for OUTPUT, with DSORG=PS, the MACRF equals RP or WP, and BLOCKTOKENSIZE=LARGE
Open for OUTPUT, with DSORG=PO, and BLOCKTOKENSIZE=LARGE
Open for INPUT, with DSORG=PS
Open for INPUT, with DSORG=PO (see Note 1)
Using QSAM, open for INPUT or OUTPUT.

The size limit remains at 15␠728␠639 records for PDSEs with the following characteristics (see Note 2):

Open for OUTPUT, with DSORG=PS, MACRF equal to RP or WP and BLOCKTOKENSIZE LARGE not specified
Open for OUTPUT, with DSORG=PO and BLOCKTOKENSIZE LARGE not specified.

Note:

A NOTE issued after record 15␠728␠639 will result in abend S002-A8 unless BLOCKTOKENSIZE=LARGE is specified.
An attempt to write more than 15␠728␠639 records will result in an abend S002-A8 unless BLOCK-TOKENSIZE LARGE is specified.