Error-Handling Techniques and Error Messages

Physical Errors

A physical error (also known as an I/O error) occurs when VSAM is unable to access a data set or record because of a hardware error. A hardware error is usually (but not always) caused by a problem with the disk on which the VSAM data set resides. Physical errors are very rare.

When a physical error occurs while processing VSAM data sets, SAS does the following:

prints a set of appropriate messages in the SAS log.
sets the _ERROR_ automatic variable to 1.
fills the logical record buffer with blanks. If a physical error occurs while reading, the INPUT buffer is filled with blanks. If it occurs while writing, the PUT buffer is filled with blanks.
sets the _IORC_ automatic variable to 12, which is the VSAM return code for physical errors.
sets the _FDBK_ automatic variable to the VSAM feedback code for the physical error.
continues with the DATA step.

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