User Guide

6-20 Ampex 1308911-02
Model No.
Running Head
dd2_getpos_tape DD-2 Utilities Manual Pages
6.7 dd2_getpos_tape
NAME
dd2_getpos_tape - get current position and estimated remaining capacity of partition.
SYNOPSIS
dd2_getpos_tape -stdout <output_spec> [ -f <device_special_file> ] [ -n ]
dd2_getpos_tape -help [ help_type ]
DESCRIPTION
dd2_getpos_tape reports the current tape drive position and the estimated remaining capacity
in the partition past the current position. The current position is the data block address at which
the next read or write operation occurs; it can be saved for later use with the dd2_setpos_tape
utility.
The position returned by dd2_getpos_tape does not necessarily reflect the actual physical
tape head position. For example, if there is data in the tape drive buffer that has not yet been
written to tape, dd2_getpos_tape returns the next buffer position, not the current tape head
position.
There are two position forms: DD-2 and token. The DD-2 position form consists of a partition
ID (PTID), file section number (FSN), and a logical data block number (LDBN). Associated
with a DD-2 position are its parent (tape cartridge) volume ID and its absolute double frame
number (ADFN).
The token position form contains all the position elements given above, packed into an array.
The token position is portable across host platforms.
dd2_getpos_tape is available to all users.
OPTIONS
-f < device_special_file >
Specifies the device special file to use for the operation (see Appendix B).
-n
Prevents a trailing newline from being appended to the output stream. If omitted, the output
stream includes a trailing newline.