You are correct that FILE cant do it. But SAS can allocate a file dynamically as if done via JCL. This is done by way of the FILENAME statement. FILENAME in an OS/390 makes use of JCL parms and creates the physical file. More can be learned in the MVS Companion manual.

> -----Original Message----- > From: Puddin' Man [SMTP:pudding_man@POSTMARK.NET] > Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 10:08 AM > To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU > Subject: Re: OS/390, v8.1, filevar and creating sequential files on > the > > fly > Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 14:07:54 +0000 > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > > Droogendyk, Harry wrote: > > > Listers: > > > > Back again. I wish to write an undetermined number of sequential files > from > > a data step. Contents of incoming data will determine the name and > number > > of files to be created. Seemingly a perfect application for the > FILEVAR= > > option on the FILE statement. > > --- snip --- > > This is a piece o' cake to do with Windoze SAS. I suspect the same > is true with "La Unices". Not so with "The OS/VS Beasty": I couldn't > get my OS/390 to do it. > > OS/390 requires much info to allocate a new file. It wants DCB's, > DISP, SPACE, maybe a device class or device, maybe other stuff. > It appears that the FILE command was not designed to supply all this. > > I had no problem getting Svend's code to test out. I suspect it > is the best way for Harry to go. > > Cheers, > Puddin' > > ******************************************************* > *** Puddin' Man *** Pudding_Man@postmark.net ***** > *******************************************************;

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