---
title: "CICS-Sequential and Random Access"
description: "What is Random access and Sequential access in CICS mainframe"
url: https://srinimf.com/2012/03/31/cics-sequential-and-random-access/
date: 2012-03-31
modified: 2026-10-08
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/cics-random-and-sequential.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1
categories: ["CICS Tips"]
tags: ["CICS", "Random", "Sequential"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# CICS-Sequential and Random Access

Not only in CICS, in any of the mainframe Technologies, but the reading of the files can also be done in multiple ways.

Sequential &
[Random Access](https://srinimf.com/2016/03/17/indexed-files/)

Especially in CICS, Sequential and Random access are most popular ways of reading files.

[Sequential Access](https://srinimf.com/2012/05/16/vsam-ksds-esds-lds-rrds-and-their-uses/): STARTBR (start browse) keeps record at the key position, from where we want to read a record.

READNEXT-will actually read the record into working storage file description area.

**Sample syntax:**

```
EXEC CICS STARTBR
   DATASET('FILEAA')
   RIDFILD(REC-IO-KEY)==> Record Key
  GTEQ
END-EXEC.
```

—-

```
EXEC CICS READNEXT
   DATASET('FILEAA')
    INTO(FILE-IO-AREA) ==working storage file description at '01' level
   RIDFILD(REC-IO-KEY)==>Record Key
   GTEQ
END-EXEC.
```

Random Access: File reading by this way will be achieved with “[READ](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/189077409X/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=mainframesrin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=189077409X)” command. It reads the record, as per key mentioned, and moves into working storage record area.

**Sample syntax:**

```
EXEC CICS READ
   DATASET('FILEAA')
    INTO(FILE-IO-AREA) ==working storage file description at '01' level
   RIDFILD(REC-IO-KEY)==>Record Key
   GTEQ
END-EXEC.
```

These may look simple, but, many people do not have much idea. I am sure it will help you.

In my next posts, I will give how data will be retrieved by using DB2 and IMSDB.

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