"Johnson, Tracy" wrote:

> I want to discard all but the last three, and the date stamps
> of the files may vary, because these are RESTOREd files in
> test groups, not production data.

i don't see that you have any choice but to run a listfile,6 out to a file....but
that's ok.

with your listfile in a file, examine the number of record (setvar n =
finfo('myfile','eof') and subtract three from that number (setvar x = n - 3).
(it's probably prudent to check that 'n' is >= 3, btw).  now you know how many
files you want to purge.

do a print of your listfile file (i called it 'mydata' above) with the following
syntax:

print myfile;end=x > myfile2

myfile2 will contain the names of all your files less the last three.

from there, all that you need is a while loop to read thru myfile2.  as you read in
a record, stick a 'purge ' in front of it and do it.  (it's probably prudent to add
some error checking, btw).

i broke the above out into a lot of extra steps for clarity.  for instance, 'x'
doesn't have to be literally computed -- but it makes the explaining easier.  and
build your script in steps...and test as you go.

hth          - d

--
Donna Garverick     Sr. System Programmer
925-210-6631        [log in to unmask]

Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are.
"Ulysses", A. Tennyson

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