Data Interfaces

Transferring Data Records
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TRANSFER TO .
Sequential
file
data
record
Each TRANSFER statement transfers one data record to a sequential file.
Before TRANSFER, you place the data record in a field or a structure.
Possible structures are field strings or table work areas.
The execution of the TRANSFER statement depends on the mode:
- Binary mode: Writes the length of the field or structure.
- Text mode: Writes a line.
If the specified file is not open, the TRANSFER statement tries to open the file FOR
OUTPUT (IN BINARY MODE) or using the additions of the last OPEN DATASET statement for this
file.
Errors which occur during the TRANSFER statement result in program termination.
The additional parameter LENGTH of the TRANSFER statement allows you to specify a
length in bytes (in the format TRANSFER TO LENGTH ). In this
case, the exact number of characters specified in is transferred. If the structure is shorter, the
record is padded (with blanks in text mode and hexadecimal zeros in binary mode). If the structure is
longer, the record is truncated.