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SAS System Options

LRECL= System Option



Specifies the default logical record length to use for reading and writing external files.
Valid in: configuration file, SAS invocation, OPTIONS statement, SAS System Options window
Category: Files: External files
PROC OPTIONS GROUP= EXTFILES

Syntax
Syntax Description
Details

Syntax

LRECL=n | nK | nM | nG | nT | hexX | MIN | MAX


Syntax Description

n

specifies the logical record length in multiples of 1 (bytes); 1,024 (kilobytes); 1,048,576 (megabytes); 1,073,741,824 (gigabytes); or 1,099,511,627,776 (terabytes). For example, a value of 32 specifies 32 bytes, and a value of 32k specifies 32,767 bytes.

Default: 256
Range: 1-32767
hexX

specifies the logical record length as a hexadecimal value. You must specify the value beginning with a number (0-9), followed by an X. For example, the value 2dx sets the logical record length to 45 characters.

MIN

specifies a logical record length of 1.

MAX

specifies a logical record length of 32,767.


Details

The logical record length for reading or writing external files is first determined by the LRECL= option in the access method statement, function, or command that is used to read or write an individual file, or the DDName value in the z/OS operating environment. If the logical record length is not specified by any of these means, SAS uses the value that is specified by the LRECL= system option.

Use a value for the LRECL= system option that is not an arbitrary large value. Large values for this option can result in excessive use of memory, which can degrade performance.

Operating Environment Information for z/OS Users:   Under z/OS, the LRECL= system option is recognized only for reading and writing HFS files.  [cautionend]

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