Slash Editing (/)

The slash ( / ) edit specifier indicates the end of data transfer on the current record.

Sequential Access

On input, any remaining portion of the current record is skipped, and the file is positioned at the beginning of the next record. Two successive slashes (//) skip a whole record.

On output, an end-of-record is written, and a new record is started. Two successive slashes (//) produce a record of no characters. If the file is an internal file, that record is filled with blanks.

Direct Access

Each slash increases the record number by one, and the file is positioned at the start of the record with that record number.

On output, two successive slashes (//) produce a record of no characters, and that record is filled with blanks.