Parameter type

Keyword, optional

Purpose

Use the RETPD parameter to specify the retention period for a new data set to help reduce the chance of later accidental deletion. After the retention period, the data set can be deleted or written over by another data set.

If the DD statement contains DISP=(NEW,DELETE) or the DISP parameter is omitted to default to NEW and DELETE, the system deletes the data set when the step terminates normally or abnormally, even though a retention period is also specified.

Do not specify RETPD for a temporary data set.

The RETPD parameter achieves the same result as the EXPDT parameter.

Code the RETPD parameter when you want to (1) specify a retention period for the data set or (2) with SMS, override the retention period defined in the data class for the data set.