In a PowerCenter workflow with a sequential file target, PowerExchange can overwrite an existing file on disk or tape. PowerExchange reuses the existing RECFM, LRECL and BLKSIZE attributes, regardless of the values that you specify in the session attributes for the connection.
Technically, PowerExchange calls the fopen() API, which uses the existing file attributes.
A PowerCenter workflow can also overwrite an existing tape file. However, in certain cases the process might be affected by constraints from the virtual tape system. PowerExchange calls the fldata() API to retrieve the attributes of the existing tape file. PowerExchange uses these attributes when it reopens the file.