


7.4.1 File Limitations
All of the standard rules of COBOL apply in multi-record mode, with the
following limitations:
- Only files that require no record locking can be opened in multi-record mode.
This limitation is enforced silently on both the client and the server. If a
user tries to open a file that requires record locking in this mode, the file
is still opened, but not in multi-record mode. In other words, multi-record
mode does not affect the lock mode specified by the COBOL program, but the lock
mode may affect whether records are sent in single or multi-record packets.
- Files open in this mode may not be read backward. (i.e., READ-NEXT commands
are supported. READ-PREVIOUS commands are not.) The purpose of this mode is to
improve sequential performance. If you attempt to read a file backward that
has been opened in multi-record mode, an error 9B results (requested operation is
not supported).