When using Command Input-Output Redirection ("CIOR") a single ">" signifies create a new file or start at the beginning of an existing file, overwriting what is there. By default CIOR will create a temporary file with REC=-256,,V,ASCII;DISC=10000 when a single ">" is used and will append to it when ">>" is specified. Even if a permanent file of the same name exists, CIOR will create a new temporary file if ">" is used (in the absence of a file equation with ",OLD" and back reference to it). If ">>" is used, CIOR will create a temporary file if it does not already exist, in the absence of a file equation and back reference to it. Therefore if CIOR is used, a file equation with ACC=APPEND is not needed if ">>" is used. In fact, if a temporary file is intended (the original question), a file equation is not necessary either. Furthermore, all of the CIOR statements can be coded with ">>" (sample scenario: a WHILE loop). CIOR is very useful, especially when MPE/iX variable need to be inserted into a file. Leonard Berkowitz, Warren, Gorham & Lamont ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Append to PERM file? Author: Wray Smallwood <[log in to unmask]> at internet Date: 04/04/96 5:56 PM Even better a command file: PARM DATA="" FILE M=MYFILE,OLD;ACC=APPEND IF NOT FINFO("*M","EXISTS") BUILD MYFILE;REC=-80,,F,ASCII;DISC=100 ENDIF ECHO !DATA >>*M Call it APPEND so that usage is APPEND "data to the file"