RECFM={ F | FB | V | VB | U | VS | VBS}

This parameter defines the significance of the character logical record length (semantics of LRECL boundaries). You can specify fixed, variable, or system default.

The valid values are as follows:

• F: each string contains exactly the number of characters defined by the string length parameter.
• FB: all blocks and all logical record are fixed in size. One or more logical records reside in each block.
• V: the length of each string is less than or equal to the string length parameter.
• VB: blocks as well as logical record length can be of any size. One or more logical records reside in each block.
  Note: Using checkpoint restart when writing to variable length blocked records might result in a D37 abend if insufficient secondary extents are defined. It is good practice to make sure sufficient secondary extents are allocated or turn checkpoint restart off for variable length blocked records.
• U: blocks are of variable size. No logical records are used. The logical record length is displayed as zero. This record format is usually only used in load libraries. Block size must be used if you are specifying U.
• VS: records are variable and can span logical blocks. RECFM=VS is not supported when checkpoint restart is used.
• VBS: blocks as well as logical record length can be of any size. One or more logical records reside in each block. Records are variable and can span logical blocks. RECFM=VBS is not supported when checkpoint restart is used.