IBM Mainframe Forum

I need to read a vsam file with alternate index. Both the base file and alternate index file have DDs in the JCL.
1. do I need a select statement for the alternate aix file or just the base file and indicate the alternate key?
2. If I need to have a select statement for the alternate aix file, should the START statement on the alternate aix > alternate key?
3. If #1 is no, should the START statement on the base file where key > alternate key which is defined in the select statement?
4. Should the READ NEXT be the base file or the alternate aix file?

Thank you.

You have the base VSAM file for one DD statement, and the PATH (not the alternate index) specified for the second DD statement, right?

followed byorandVF-KEY and VF-ALT-KEY must be defined in an 01 under the FD; there are some other restrictions which you can read in the COBOL Language Reference manual (link at the top of the page).