Work Tapes

CA 1 considers a tape volume a work tape when the first file used is specified as temporary. This can be done in one of the following ways:

LABEL=RETPD=0 is specified in the JCL.
No data set name is specified unless a future expiration date or retention period is specified.
A temporary data set name is specified (DSN=&.&xxx). Unless a future expiration date or retention period is specified.
The JCL specifies DISP=(NEW,DELETE).

CA 1 issues a work tape message in these instances. If the file being processed is not file 1, a work file message is issued (this is also issued if a secondary file is being read for input and there is no corresponding DSNB record in the TMC; CA 1 does not require DSNB records to read secondary files for input).

Work tapes or files can be disallowed by setting the CA 1 system option WRKFLS to NO. In this case, a one day retention is assigned to the data set, disqualifying the volume for a subsequent use as a scratch tape.