JCL DISP Parameter

Code Example

## JCL DISP Parameter

The DISP (Disposition) parameter specifies the status of a dataset before, during, and after step execution.

### Syntax
\`\`\`jcl
DISP=(status,normal-end,abnormal-end)
\`\`\`

### Status (Before Step)

| Value | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| NEW | Create new dataset |
| OLD | Exclusive access to existing |
| SHR | Shared access to existing |
| MOD | Add to end of existing/new |

### Normal End Disposition

| Value | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| DELETE | Delete the dataset |
| KEEP | Keep but don't catalog |
| CATLG | Keep and catalog |
| PASS | Pass to next step |
| UNCATLG | Uncatalog but keep |

### Abnormal End Disposition
Same options as normal end.

### Common Combinations
\`\`\`jcl
DISP=SHR                   Shared read (default KEEP,KEEP)
DISP=OLD                   Exclusive access
DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE)    Create, catalog if OK
DISP=(MOD,CATLG)           Append to file
DISP=(,PASS)               Pass temporary file
DISP=(NEW,DELETE)          True temporary
\`\`\`

### Defaults
- Status: NEW (if DSN not cataloged)
- Normal: KEEP for OLD/SHR, DELETE for NEW
- Abnormal: Same as normal