Specifies the default format of files. 
Syntax:
>>-.---.--RECMODE--"format"----------------><
   +-/-+
Parameters:
- 
format
- One of: 
- F 
- Fixed-length record format. 
- V 
- Variable-length record format. 
- OSVS, VSC21, VSC22 
- Fixed or variable depending on a file's record definitions. If all record definitions for the file have the same length and are fixed length, the file is fixed-length record format. Otherwise it is variable-length record format. 
- COB370, ENTCOBOL, MVS, OS390, VSC23, VSC24 
- Fixed or variable length depending on the file's record definitions. If all record definitions for the file are the same length, and are fixed length and/or the FD entry has a RECORD CONTAINS x CHARACTERS clause, the file is fixed-length record format. Otherwise it is variable-length record format. 
 
Properties:
| Default: | RECMODE"F" (Dialect) | 
| Phase: | Syntax check | 
| $SET: | Initial | 
 
Dependencies:
RECMODE"VSC22" set at end by CMPR2. 
Comments:
For an individual file this directive is overridden if the FD contains either a RECORD IS VARYING phrase (which specifies variable format) or a RECORDING MODE clause.