---
title: "Delete GDG cluster Sample JCL Example"
description: "JCL to delete GDG and VSAM base cluster quickly."
url: https://srinimf.com/2012/05/24/delete-jcl-for-gdg-base-and-vsam-cluster/
date: 2012-05-24
modified: 2026-10-05
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jcl-you-need-delete-gdg.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1
categories: ["JCL", "VSAM"]
tags: ["Delete GDG example", "JCL tips and Tricks"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Delete GDG cluster Sample JCL Example

The below JCL you can use to delete [GDG base](https://srinimf.com/2015/12/19/jcl-gdg-required-and-optional-parameters/) cluster. The interesting point is if you delete the GDG base, automatically it deletes all the versions.

## Sample JCL

```
//Step1   EXEC  PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSIN   DD   *
 DELETE 'XXXX.XXXX.XXXX.XXX' GDG FORCE
/*
```

## Alternative JCL Example

(or) if we want to delete migrated-GDGS,  use the following syntax.

```
//Step1   EXEC  PGM=IDCAMS
//SYSIN   DD   *
 HDELETE 'XXXX.XXXX.XXXX.XXX' GDG FORCE
/*
```

**Notes: **To delete VSAM clusters, give CLUSTER in place of GDG.

## Popular Parameters you can use with DELETE.

- **FORCE:** It deletes all clusters in the catalogue.

- **NOFORCE:** It deletes an empty catalog. If the catalog does have cluster entries, it will not delete.

- **PURGE:** Even though GDG has retention period, it deletes all entries.

- **NOPURGE:** When the GDG has retention period, it will not delete the entries.

**Notes: **With [IDCAMS utility](https://srinimf.com/2017/01/07/the-top-7-idcams-commands-need-for-vsam/) we can delete GDG clusters and VSAM clusters. 

Related Posts

- [6 Ideas – How to use JCL GDG Correctly](https://srinimf.com/2015/12/25/6-precious-tips-to-help-better-understand-of-gdgs-in-jcl/)DateDecember 25, 2015
- [JCL GDG Life Cycle: Create, Model, Generate, Delete, Alter](https://srinimf.com/2016/04/22/jcl-gdg-create-delete-alter-gdgs-all-examples/)DateApril 22, 2016
- [GDG – Generation G0000V00 – Change V00 to V01](https://srinimf.com/2014/03/20/gdg-generation-version-change/)DateMarch 20, 2014

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