How do I write records to an output file?

I can READ. Writing feels scarier. OPEN OUTPUT then WRITE? What goes wrong if the DD is missing?

OPEN OUTPUT OUT-FILE
MOVE stuff TO out-record
WRITE out-record
...
CLOSE OUT-FILE

Missing DD → bad file status (35/96 depending). Always check status after OPEN and WRITE.

OPEN OUTPUT on an existing dataset can wipe it depending on DISP. Know what your JCL is doing.

For a new file use DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE) with SPACE and DCB that match the FD.