External data sets can be standard or nonstandard. VSAM data sets are nonstandard external data sets. The following SAS INFILE statement options can be used with any external data set, including VSAM data sets:
LINESIZE=valueLS=value


limits the record length available to the INPUT statement when you do not want to read the entire record. The LINESIZE= value specifies the maximum record length that is available to the SAS program. If a LINESIZE= value is not specified, the default is the maximum record length that was specified when the VSAM data set was defined.

If LINESIZE= is shorter than the VSAM maximum record length, the record is truncated to the specified LINESIZE= value.

If an INPUT statement attempts to read past the column that is specified by LINESIZE=, the action that is taken depends on which of the FLOWOVER, MISSOVER, and STOPOVER options is in effect. (By default, the MISSOVER option is in effect when VSAM data sets are read.)

If a PUT statement attempts to write a record longer than the value that is specified by LINESIZE=, the action that is taken depends on which of the FLOWOVER, MISSOVER, and STOPOVER options is in effect. (By default, the STOPOVER option is in effect when VSAM data sets are written.)