To answer this question, we need to understand what the DISP parameter specifies in a job.
The DISP parameter is used in JCL (Job Control Language) to control the disposition of a dataset. It determines what action the system should take with the dataset after the job completes or terminates abnormally.
In this case, the DISP is specified as (NEW, CATLG, KEEP). Let's go through each option to understand what happens on abnormal termination of the job:
Option A) The system retains and catalogs the dataset - This option is incorrect. The DISP parameter with "KEEP" only retains the dataset, but it does not catalog it. Cataloging means adding the dataset to the system's catalog, which is a directory of datasets that can be referenced by other jobs.
Option B) The system catalogs the dataset - This option is incorrect. The DISP parameter with "CATLG" catalogs the dataset, but it does not retain it. This means that if the job terminates abnormally, the dataset will not be retained.
Option C) The system retains the dataset - This option is correct. The DISP parameter with "KEEP" retains the dataset, even if the job terminates abnormally. This means that the dataset will still be available for future use.
Option D) None of the above - This option is incorrect, as option C is the correct answer.
Therefore, the correct answer is C) The system retains the dataset. This option is correct because the DISP parameter with "KEEP" ensures that the dataset is retained, even on abnormal termination of the job.