PCFORMAT User's Guide

Running PCFORMAT
Operation
066374 Tandem Computers Incorporated 2–3
Running PCFORMAT The PCFORMAT COPY command can be typed on the COMINT command
line or included in an obey file. To keep the length of the COPY command
to a minimum, use the COMINT VOLUME command to select the
subvolume containing the database file and dictionary you plan to use. If
the dictionary and file are in different subvolumes, select one or the other.
Examples of the COPY command showing the various methods available
for selecting a Tandem database file are used here to demonstrate
PCFORMAT operation. These examples assume the dictionary is in the
current subvolume. Section 3 discusses the four output formats (ASCII,
BASIC, DIF, and SYLK), has a detailed description of the COPY command,
and includes more examples that show how to run PCFORMAT when the
dictionary and database files are in different subvolumes.
Note The BREAK key can be used to halt PCFORMAT after a COPY command has been entered
at the COMINT prompt. The COMINT STOP command must then be used to stop the
PCFORMAT process.
Using Database Dictionary
to Select File
When the database file is not named explicitly, the COPY command
assumes the file to be converted is the file associated with the specified
record in the dictionary. For example:
:PCFORMAT COPY (FORMAT ASCII, PURGE) PARTSREC AS
PARTLIST
converts the database file designated by the PARTSREC record into an
ASCII format file named PARTLIST. If a PARTLIST file exists in the current
subvolume, it is automatically purged. When the COPY command is
complete, the COMINT prompt returns to the screen.