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DISCARD command

The DISCARD command gives up the tape copy of specified on-line files.


Format

     @DISCARD (TAPE INFORMATION FOR FILES) filespec,...

     where:

     filespec                      is  the  specification  of  a  file
                                   whose   tape   copy   you  want  to
                                   discard.


Characteristics

     Action of DISCARD

          The DISCARD command causes the tape pointer in the FDB (File
          Descriptor  Block)  of the specified file to be deleted.  It
          does not actually destroy the tape copy of  the  file.   The
          tape  copy  is  destroyed  when  the tape is recycled by the
          operator.  (See also Hints - Undoing DISCARD, below.)

     Withdrawing Archive Status of Files

          When you give the DISCARD command for  an  on-line  archived
          file,  you withdraw archive status from the disk copy of the
          file.  That is, the file  becomes  an  ordinary  disk  file,
          which you can edit or delete if you wish.

     DISCARD for Non-archived Files

          You can also use the DISCARD command to  give  up  the  tape
          copy   of   files   that   have   been   migrated   to  tape
          (automatically, by the system) and then retrieved using  the
          RETRIEVE command.


Hints

     Undoing DISCARD

          You receive a mail message from the operator for every  file
          whose  tape  copy  you  discard.  The message gives the tape
          number, saveset number, and file number within  the  saveset
          of  each  tape  copy.  If you have given the DISCARD command
          for a file and later wish to use the tape copy, you  may  be
          able  to  recover  it using this information, as long as the
          tapes have not yet been recycled.


Related Commands

     ARCHIVE                  for requesting  that  a  permanent  tape
                              copy of specified files be made

     DELETE (with CONTENTS-ONLY subcommand)
                              for deleting only the disk copy of files
                              that also have a tape copy

     RETRIEVE                 for requesting that an off-line file  be
                              restored to disk


Examples

     1.  Discard the tape copy of a file.

         @DISCARD TESTER.EXE
          TESTER.EXE.1 [OK]

     2.  Attempt to alter an archived file.  When you find out it  has
         archive  status,  discard  its  tape  copy  (this revokes its
         archive status) and  perform  the  alteration.   Archive  the
         resulting file and check its status.

         @APPEND FOO.LOG DRCHIVE.TXT
           FOO.LOG.1
         ?File has archive status, modification is prohibited:
         DRCHIVE.TXT.1
         @DISCARD DRCHIVE.TXT
           DRCHIVE.TXT.1 [OK]
         @APPEND FOO.LOG DRCHIVE.TXT
           FOO.LOG.1 [OK]
         @ARCHIVE DRCHIVE.TXT
           DRCHIVE.TXT.1 [Requested]
         @INFORMATION ARCHIVE-STATUS DRCHIVE.TXT
           DRCHIVE.TXT.1 Archive requested