DOS Random Type-2 Files

DOS random type-2 files are fixed-length files used by the DOS random read and write routines. The characteristics of DOS random type-2 files are as follows:
  • There are no end-of-record or end-of-file markers.
  • Records are delimited by their constant length, relative positions in the file, and the total length of the file.
Note: This workstation file type is identical to the DOS random file type, except that the internal sign representation for packed decimal and zoned decimal data types follow Systems Application Architecture® (SAA) standards. Some workstation applications, such as applications written in IBM® COBOL/2 programming language, need to have the signs for packed decimal and zoned decimal data types represented this way. Use the DOS random type-2 file type for those workstation applications.