DELETE Command (for Experienced)


The DELETE command is used to delete catalogs, VSAM datasets, and non-VSAM datasets.

High-level syntax -


//JOBNAME  JOB job-card-parameters
//STEP1    EXEC PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD *
  DELETE Command
/*

Detail syntax -


//JOBNAME  JOB job-card-parameters
//STEP1    EXEC PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=*
//SYSIN    DD *
  DELETE 	(entryname[ entryname ...])
  	[ALIAS|
  	  ALTERNATEINDEX|
  	  CLUSTER|
  	  GENERATIONDATAGROUP|
  	  LIBRARYENTRY|
  	  NONVSAM|
  	  PAGESPACE|
  	  PATH|
  	  USERCATALOG|
  	  VOLUMEENTRY]
  	[ERASE|NOERASE]
  	[FILE(ddname)]
  	[FORCE|NOFORCE]
  	[MASK|NOMASK]
  	[PURGE|NOPURGE]
  	[RECOVERY|NORECOVERY]
  	[SCRATCH|NOSCRATCH]
  	[CATALOG(catname)]
/*

Parameters


The DELETE command mandatory and optional parameters are specified below -

Mandatory Parameters


(entryname[ entryname...])


  • Specifies the entry name to be deleted.
  • If trying to delete more than one entry, those entry names must enclose the list of entry names in parentheses.
  • The maximum entrynames can specify 100.
  • We can use the generic name to delete multiple entries with the entryname—for example, MATEPK.EMPL.* is a generic name where * is any 1-to-8 character simple name.

Optional Parameters


ALIAS | ALTERNATEINDEX | CLUSTER | GENERATIONDATAGROUP | LIBRARYENTRY | NONVSAM | PAGESPACE | PATH | USERCATALOG | VOLUMEENTRY


  • Specifies the object type or entry to be deleted.

CATALOG(catname)


  • Specifies the catalog name that contains the entries to be deleted.
  • This parameter cannot use to delete a user catalog.

Short Description: CAT

ERASE


  • Specifies cluster components are to be overwritten with binary zeros when the cluster or AIX is deleted.
  • If ERASE is specified, the data component volume must be mounted.

Short Description: ERAS

NOERASE


  • Specifies cluster components are not to be overwritten with binary zeros when the cluster or alternate index is deleted.

Short Description: NERAS

FILE(ddname)


  • Specifies the DDname that identifies the volume, dataset, and partitioned dataset.
  • The FILE parameter improves the DELETE command performance.

FORCE


  • FORCE parameter deletes generation data groups, tape library entries, and user catalogs without ensuring that these entries are empty.

Short Description: FRC

NOFORCE


  • Specifies the DELETE command to end when the deletion of a gdg, tape library entry, or user catalog is not empty.

Short Description: NFRC

MASK


  • The MASK parameter specifies entryname is a filter key. For example - if DELETE MATEPK.* is specified, it deletes all entries starting with MATEPK.

NOMASK


  • The NOMASK parameter specifies entryname should be a fully qualified name. For example - no entries get deleted if DELETE MATEPK.* is specified.
  • NOMASK is the default.

PURGE


  • Specifies the entry is deleted even if the retention period, TO or FOR parameter, has not expired.

Short Description: PRG

NOPURGE


  • Specifies the entry is not deleted if the retention period has not expired.

Short Description: NPRG

RECOVERY


  • When RECOVERY is specified, the user catalog, a VSAM volume data set (VVDS), or a generation data group (GDG) will be replaced with an imported backup copy.

Short Description: RCVRY

NORECOVERY


  • Specifies the dataset should not be replaced and indicates that the entry is to be processed as described by the other parameters.

Short Description: NRCVRY

SCRATCH


  • Specifies the dataset is to be scratched from the volume on which it resides. For VSAM datasets and non-VSAM datasets, the VSAM volume data set (VVDS) entry is also removed.
  • This parameter can specify only for a cluster, AIX, a page space, or a non-VSAM data set.

Short Description: SCR

NOSCRATCH


  • Specifies the catalog entry is deleted from the catalog without mounting the volume.

Short Description: NSCR

Example -


Requirement - Delete ESDS file.

Input ESDS File - MATEPK.TEST.ESDS

Code -

----+----1----+----2----+----3----+----4----+----5----+----6----+----7--
***************************** Top of Data ******************************
//MATEPKD JOB (123),'MTH',CLASS=A,MSGCLASS=A,MSGLEVEL=(1,1),            
//             NOTIFY=&SYSUID                                           
//************************************************************          
//* DELETING ESDS                                                       
//************************************************************          
//STEP01   EXEC PGM=IDCAMS                                              
//SYSPRINT DD   SYSOUT=*                                                
//SYSIN    DD   *                                                       
      DELETE 'MATEPK.TEST.ESDS'                                         
/*                                                                      
**************************** Bottom of Data ****************************

In the above JCL, MATEPK is the userid and change it as required.

Output -

Once the above JCL is submitted, check the MAXCC of the job for any errors. If the MAXCC is 00 or 04, then REPRO is successful..

********************************* TOP OF DATA **********************************
IDCAMS  SYSTEM SERVICES                                           TIME: 07:58:53
                                                                                
      DELETE 'MATEPK.TEST.ESDS'                                                 
IDC0550I ENTRY (D) MATEPK.TEST.ESDS.DATA DELETED                                
IDC0550I ENTRY (C) MATEPK.TEST.ESDS DELETED                                     
IDC0001I FUNCTION COMPLETED, HIGHEST CONDITION CODE WAS 0                       
                                                                                
IDC0002I IDCAMS PROCESSING COMPLETE. MAXIMUM CONDITION CODE WAS 0               
******************************** BOTTOM OF DATA ********************************

Verify the path in 3.4 (Dataset List utility) or any File management tools.