REGION Parameter

Note! REGION parameter can be coded at the job level as well as step level.

The REGION parameter is used to specify the amount of central or virtual memory required to execute the job ot step. The system applies the REGION parameter value to each step of the job if it is coded at job level. Otherwise, it only applicable to the step where it is coded.

The REGION is a keyword parameter and is optional.

Syntax -

REGION={ValueK/ValueM}

ValueK	ValueK is used to specify the storage in Kilobytes. The value is the 7-digit value from 1 through 2096128KB (2047 MB or 2 GB). ValueK value should also be multiples of 4.
ValueM	ValueM is used to specify the storage in Megabytes. The value is the 4-digit value from 1 through 2047 MB (2 GB). ValueM value should alsobe multiples of 4.

The maximum value that can code in the JOB using ValueK or ValueM is 2GB. If the REGION parameter is coded with 0M, it allocates the maximum available storage below 2GB to the job or step. i.e., REGION=0M/0K specifies the system as REGION=NOLIMIT.

Danger! If the memory coded in the REGION parameter was insufficient to execute the job, then the job abends with S422/S822. If the specified region size is below 16 megabytes, the job step abnormally ends with an ABEND822.

Default and overrides -

If no REGION parameter is coded, system uses the installation default value.
The job level REGION parameter overrides the REGION parameters at the step level.
Step level REGION parameter value considers when no REGION parameter at job level.

Examples -

Scenario 1 - Allocate central memory for job processing.

//MTHEXMP1 JOB (META007),'PAWAN Y',REGION=100K,ADDRSPC=REAL

The job requires 100K of central storage because of ADDRSPC=REAL.

Scenario 2 - Allocate virtual memory for job processing.

//MTHEXMP1 JOB (META007),'PAWAN Y',REGION=100K

The job requires 100K of virtual storage. Because the ADDRSPC parameter is ignored, the system defaults to ADDRSPC=VIRT.

Scenario3 - Allocate central memory for step processing.

//STEP01 EXEC PGM=PROG1,REGION=10K,ADDRSPC=REAL

The step requires 10K of central storage because of ADDRSPC=REAL.

Scenario4 - Assign memory to the PROC step.

//STEP03 EXEC PROC=MTHPROC,REGION.STEP01=10K

REGION.STEP01 specifies that STEP01 in the MTHPROC requires 10K of virtual storage.

Scenario5 - Coding at job level and step level.

//MTHEXMP1 JOB (META007),'PAWAN Y',REGION=100K
//*
//STEP01 EXEC PROC=MTHPROC,REGION=10K

REGION parameter at STEP01 is ignored and job card REGION parameter applies to the entire job.