User Guide

Ampex 1308911-02 2-7
Software Overview DD2 Utilities Overview
2.5 DD2 Utilities Overview
The dd2 utilities provide command-line access to an Ampex DST or DIS tape drive. They are
compatible with the DST/DIS Automated Cartridge Library (ACL) Utilities and can be used
together with them in scripts that perform higher-level operations. Both sets of utilities use a
consistent set of input and output conventions that make them easy to integrate.
2.5.1 Exit Status
The dd2 utilities use the following exit status codes to indicate success or failure. To view the
status code, type
echo $status (see C-shell).
0 Operation succeeded.
nonzero Operation failed.
2.5.2 Errors
See “Exit Status” on page 6-5 for information on dd2 utilities error reporting.
2.5.3 UNIX Platform Compatibility
Unless noted otherwise, all of the dd2 utilities operate consistently across supported
platforms.
2.5.4 Open behavior
Each dd2 utility handles the opening and closing of the tape drive.
2.5.5 Restrictions
Some of the dd2 utilities are restricted for use by the root user only. The manual page for each
dd2 utility notes any such restriction.