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Document:	VMS 4.0 VAX VMS Convert and Convert Reclaim Utility Reference Manual
Order Number:	AA-Z409A-TE
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Pages:	46
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VAX/VMS
Convert and Convert
/Reclaim Utility
Reference Manual
Order Number: AA-Z409A-TE

September 1984

This document describes the VAX/VMS Convert and Convert/Reclaim
utilities.

Revision/Update Information:

This is a new manual.

Software Version:

VAX/VMS Version 4.0

digital equipment corporation
maynard, massachusetts

September 1984
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should
not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital
Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear
in this document.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be
used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment
that is not supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.
Copyright ©1984 by Digital Equipment Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
The postpaid READER'S COMMENTS form on the last page of this document
requests the user's critical evaluation to assist in preparing future documentation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC
DEC/CMS
DEC/MMS
DECnet
DECsystem-10
DECSYSTEM-20
DECUS
DECwriter

DIBOL
EduSystem
IAS
MASSBUS
PDP
PDT
RSTS
RSX

UNIBUS
VAX
VAXcluster
VMS
VT

ZK-2305

This document was prepared using an in-house documentation production system. All
page composition and make-up was performed by T^X, the typesetting system developed
by Donald E. Knuth at Stanford University. T^X is a registered trademark of the American
Mathematical Society.

CONVERT Contents
PREFACE
NEW AND CHANGED FEATURES

vii

CONVERT FORMAT

CONV-1

CONVERT /RECLAIM FORMAT

CONV-1

DESCRIPTION

CONV-2

OUTPUT FILES

CONV-3

CONVERTING CARRIAGE CONTROL FORMATS

CONV-3

USING CONVERT WITH DECNET-VAX

CONV-4

EXCEPTION CONDITIONS

CONV-4

CONVERT AND RMSCNV/RMSIFL

CONV-5

USING THE CONVERT/RECLAIM UTILITY

CONV-6

COMMAND QUALIFIERS

CONV-8

/APPEND

CONV-9

/CREATE

CONV-10

/EXCEPTIONS—FILE

CONV-11

/EXIT

CONV-12

/FAST LOAD

CONV-13

/FDL

CONV-15

/FILL-BUCKETS

CONV-16

/FIXED-CONTROL

CONV-17

/KEY

CONV-18

/MERGE

CONV-19
iii

CONVERT Contents

/PAD

CONV-20

/PROLOG

CONV-21

/READ CHECK

CONV-22

/SHARE

CONV-23

/SORT

CONV-24

/STATISTICS

CONV-26

/TRUNCATE

CONV-28

/WORK-FILES

CONV-29

/WRITE CHECK

CONV-30

EXAMPLES

CONV-31

INDEX
TABLES
CONV-l

RMSCNV Functions and VAX/VMS Convert Utility

CONV-5

CONV-2

RMSIFL Functions and VAX/VMS Convert Utility

CONV-6

Preface
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for all programmers using VAX RMS data files. This
audience includes high-level language users who use only their language's
input/output statements.

Structure of This Document
This document is composed of four major sections.
The Format Section is an overview of the Convert and Convert/Reclaim
utilities and is intended as a quick reference guide. The format summary
contains the DCL commands that invoke the Convert and the Convert
/Reclaim utilities, and lists all command qualifiers and parameters. The usage
summary describes how to invoke and exit from the Convert and Convert
/Reclaim utilities, how to direct output, and any restrictions you should be
aware of.
The Description Section explains how to use the Convert and Convert
/Reclaim utilities.
The Qualifier Section describes each DCL command qualifier. Qualifiers
appear in alphabetical order.
The Examples Section contains examples of common operations that you
perform with the Convert and Convert/Reclaim utilities.

Associated Documents
To use the Convert and Convert/Reclaim Utility, you should also be familiar
with the following manuals:
•

Guide to VAX/VMS File Applications

•

VAX/VMS Analyze/RMS—File Utility Reference Manual

•

VAX/VMS File Definition Language Facility Reference Manual

Conventions Used in This Document
Convention
I RET |

Meaning
A symbol with a one- to three-character

abbreviation indicates that you press a key on
the terminal, for example, |ret| .
1 ctrl/x 1

The phrase CTRL/x indicates that you must press
the key labeled CTRL while you simultaneously
press another key, for example, CTRL/C, CTRL/Y,
CTRL/O.

Preface

Convention

Meaning

$ SHOW TIME
05-JUN-1985 11:55:22

Command examples show all output lines or
prompting characters that the system prints
or displays in black letters. All user-entered
commands are shown in red letters.

$ TYPE MYFILE.DAT

Vertical series of periods, or ellipsis, mean either
that not all the data that the system would display
in response to the particular command is shown or
that not all the data a user would enter is shown.

file-spec,...

Horizontal ellipsis indicates that additional
parameters, values, or information can be entered.

[logical-name]

Square brackets indicate that the enclosed item
is optional. (Square brackets are not, however,
optional in the syntax of a directory name in a
file specification or in the syntax of a substring
specification in an assignment statement.)

quotation marks
apostrophes

The term quotation marks is used to refer to
double quotation marks ("). The term apostrophe
(') is used to refer to a single quotation mark.

New and Changed Features
The following enhancements are included in this version of the Convert and
Convert/Reclaim Utility:
•

Supports enhancements to Prolog 3 ISAM files: alternate keys; key and
index compression for alternate keys; and the new nonstring data types
BIN8 and INT8.

•

Uses SORT-32, which is more flexible since it uses smaller work files.
SORT is now a shareable image, is twice as fast, and signals errors directly
to the user.

vii

CONVERT

CONVERT
The Convert Utility (CONVERT) copies records from one or more
files to an output file, changing the record format and file organization to those of the output file.
The Convert/Reclaim Utility (CONVERT/RECLAIM) reclaims empty
buckets in Prolog 3 indexed files so that new records can be written
in those buckets.

CONVERT
FORMAT

CONVERT input-file-spec[,.

output-file-spec

Command Qualifiers

Defaults

/[NOJAPPEND
/[NOJCREA TE
/[NO]EXCEPTIONS—FILE[=file-spec]
/[NOJEXIT
/[NOJFAST— LOAD
/FDL=fdl-file-spec
/[NOJFILL _BUCKETS
/[NO]FIXED—CONTROL
/KEY=n
/MERGE
/[NO]PAD[=[%b]x]
/PROLOG=n
/[NOJREAD—CHECK
/[NOJSHARE
/[NOJSORT
/[NOJSTA TISTICS
/[NOJTRUNCA TE
/WORK— FILES-=n
/[NOJWRITE—CHECK

/NOAPPEND
/CREATE
/NOEXCEPTIONS—FILE
/NOEXIT
/FAST-LOAD
None.
/NOFILL -BUCKETS
/NOFIXED—CONTROL
/KEY=0
None.
/NOPAD
None.
/NOREAD-CHECK
/NOSHARE
/SORT
/NOSTATISTICS
/NOTRUNCATE
/WORK -FILES=2
/NOWRITE-CHECK

Command Parameters

input-file-spec [,...]
Specifies the file or files to be converted. The specifications may not contain
wildcard characters. Multiple input files are concatenated to form a single
output file. You may specify up to 10 input files.

output-file-spec
Specifies the file into which the converted records are to be written. If the file
specification does not include a file type, CONVERT assumes the file type of
the first input file.

CONVERT
/RECLAIM
FORMAT

CONVERT/RECLAIM file-spec
Command Qualifier

Default

/[NOJSTA TISTICS

/NOSTATISTICS

CONV-1

CONVERT
Description

Command Parameter
file-spec
Specifies the Prolog 3 indexed file in which you want to reclaim buckets.
The file cannot be opened for shared access when you give the CONVERT
/RECLAIM command.

usage summary

Invoking
Invoke the Convert Utility by typing the CONVERT command at the DCL
level.
Likewise, invoke the Convert/Reclaim utility by typing the CONVERT
/RECLAIM command at the DCL level.

Exiting
Exit both the Convert and the Convert/Reclaim utilities by letting the utility
run to successful completion.

Directing Output
Output from the Convert Utility is directed to the file you indicated with the
output-file-spec parameter. For more information, see Section 1.
The Convert/Reclaim Utility, however, produces no output unless the
/STATISTICS command qualifier is specified.

Privileges/Restrictions
NETMBX privilege is required if you want to execute either CONVERT or
CONVERT/RECLAIM over a network.

DESCRIPTION

The Convert Utility (CONVERT) copies records from one or more source data
files to a second output data file, which can differ in file organization and
format from the first.
You can also use CONVERT to reformat an indexed file in which you have
deleted or inserted many records. The file specification is used as both the
input and the output file specification. In this case, the output file will have
a version number that is one greater than the highest existing version of the
input file. During such reorganizations, CONVERT establishes new record's
file addresses (RFAs) for the records.
On the other hand, the Convert/Reclaim Utility (CONVERT/RECLAIM) finds
empty buckets in a Prolog 3 ISAM (indexed) file and makes them usable
again by reclaiming them. As opposed to CONVERT, CONVERT/RECLAIM
preserves existing RFAs for the file.
A set of library routines can also perform the functions of both the Convert
and the Convert/Reclaim utilities from within a program. For more infor¬
mation, refer to the CONVERT Routines in the VAX/VMS Utility Routines
Reference Manual.
This description covers the following topics. Section 1 explains how to
produce output files with CONVERT. Section 2 describes converting between
carriage control formats. Section 3 discusses using CONVERT with DECnetVAX. Section 4 explains how to handle any exception conditions you may
receive from CONVERT. Section 5 gives a comparison of CONVERT with
RMSCNV/RMSIFL. And Section 6 explains how to use the Convert/Reclaim
Utility.

COIMV-2

CONVERT
Description

Output Files
There are two ways to generate a reformatted and reorganized output file.
CONVERT can either create an output file or load an existing one.
If you want to create an output file with different characteristics than the
input file, you specify an FDL (File Definition Language) file specification in
the command line. To create an output file with the same characteristics as
the first input file, you omit the /FDL qualifier.
If the output file exists, it can either be empty or it can contain records. If the
output file is sequential, then specifying the /APPEND qualifier will cause
new records from the input file to be added sequentially to the end of the
output file.
However, if the existing output file is indexed and contains records, then
specifying the /MERGE qualifier will cause new records from the input file to
be merged in their proper order.
In addition, sorting the records from an input ISAM (indexed) file can be
costly in terms of processing time and disk space. If the records in the input
file are already in sequential order by primary key (KEY=0), then specify the
/NOSORT qualifier with the CONVERT command. For more information on
sorting ISAM files, see both the /FAST_LOAD and the /SORT qualifiers in
the Command Qualifiers Section.

Converting Carriage Control Formats
A file can have one of four carriage control formats:
•

CARRIAGE-RETURN

•

FORTRAN

•

NONE

These formats are all represented differently, so when you are convert¬
ing a file from one carriage control format to another, the carriage control
information has to be translated.
This translation is especially important when you are converting to or from a
file with the FORTRAN format. Records with the FORTRAN format contain
one byte of carriage control information at the beginning of each record.
For most conversions, the FORTRAN carriage control information is preserved
as the first data byte of the record, and the printing characteristics are lost.
However, certain conversions can preserve the printing characteristics of
the FORTRAN carriage control information. When FORTRAN carriage
control is converted to the equivalent PRINT carriage control, the information
preceeding each FORTRAN record is changed but not lost.
On the other hand, when PRINT carriage control is converted to FORTRAN
carriage control, certain characters that give carriage control information to
the printer cannot be translated exactly. So these untranslatable characters
are represented as a single-spaced FORTRAN record.

CONV-3

CONVERT
Description

When FORTRAN carriage control is converted to STREAM, control charac¬
ters affecting carriage returns (<CR>), line feeds (<LF>), and form feeds
(<FF>) are prefixed and appended to each FORTRAN record. These char¬
acters may affect the STREAM output because they are considered record
delimiters for stream files. As a result, you may have a different number of
records in the STREAM output file, and some of the records may be null
records.
Below is a chart showing how FORTRAN carriage control information trans¬
lates to STREAM.

FORTRAN
Format

Hex Code
Equivalent

STREAM Format Equivalent
Characters
Characters
Prefixed
Appended

<FF>

<CR>

<CR>

space

<LF>

<CR>

<LF>

Nothing appended

Nothing prefixed

<CR>

null

Nothing prefixed

Nothing appended

All other conversions from FORTRAN preserve the carriage control informa¬
tion as data. On the other hand, all other conversions to FORTRAN prefix
the converted records with the ASCII space character to obtain single spacing.
For more information on carriage control, see the description of the FDL
Facility in the VAX/VMS Utilities Reference Volume.

Using CONVERT With DECnet-VAX
You can use the CONVERT command to copy and retrieve files to and from
a remote node, either with or without modifying file attributes. If the output
file exists, the Convert Utility changes the organization and format of the
input data file to that of the output file. If the output file does not exist,
CONVERT creates it from the file attributes specified in an FDL file. On the
other hand, you can use the Convert Utility to copy files to or from a remote
node without modifying file attributes. CONVERT transfers the file record by
record, just as it does on a single node. However, you must have NETMBX
privilege to execute CONVERT over a network.
Along the same line, you can use CONVERT/RECLAIM to reclaim empty
buckets in Prolog 3 indexed files from a remote node.

Exception Conditions
Certain conversions cause exception conditions. An exception condition
occurs when a record from the input file cannot be placed in the output file
because of some format incompatibility. CONVERT sends a warning error
message to SYS$ERROR upon encountering a record that causes an exception
condition.

CONV—4

CONVERT
Description

For example, an exception condition occurs when the length of the input
records exceeds the length you specified for fixed-length output records.
You can avoid this exception condition by specifying the /TRUNCATE
qualifier. Converting short fixed-length records into longer fixed-length
records also causes an exception. To avoid this exception condition, use the
/PAD qualifier to fill in the output records. The /PAD qualifier allows you to
specify your choice of pad character.
To keep a copy of the exception records, you create an exceptions file with
the /EXCEPTIONS_FILE qualifier. The exceptions file is a sequential file
with variable-length records; it receives a copy of any record that cannot be
placed in the output data file. Exceptions files are given the file type EXC by
default.

CONVERT and RMSCNV/ RMSIFL
The VAX/VMS Convert Utility is a native-mode superset replacement for
both the RMS-11 RMSIFL and RMSCNV compatibility mode utilities. Tables
CONV-1 and CONV-2 compare the functions of the Convert Utility with the
RMSCNV and RMSIFL utilities, respectively.

Table CONV-1

RMSCNV Functions and VAX/VMS Convert
Utility

RMSCNV Switch

CONVERT Equivalent

Description

/ID

Identifies current
version of CNV.

/SL:[filespec]

/STATISTICS

Provides summary list.
To get a listing file,
assign a file to
SYSSOUTPUT.

/AP

/APPEND

Appends records to a
a sequential file.

/BL[:nnn]

Specify block
size with FDL.

Sets block size on
magnetic tape.

/FO:val

Specify organ¬
ization with FDL.

Sets output file
organization.

/LO

/NOFILL_ BUCKETS

Follows fill numbers
when loading file.

/MA

Uses mass insert.

/PD[:[#]x]

/PAD[=[%b]x]

Pads input records.

/SU

Specify with FDL.

Supersedes existing
file.

/TR

/TRUNCATE

Truncates input
records.

/WR

/FIXED-CONTROL

Writes or reads fixed
control area.

/KR:n

/KEY=n

Reads the input file
by key.

CONV-5

CONVERT
Description

Table CONV-2

RMSIFL Functions and VAX/VMS Convert
Utility

RMSIFL Switch

CONVERT Equivalent

Description

/ID

Identifies current
version of IFL.

/ER[:file-spec]

/EXCEPTIONS—FILE
[=file-spec]

Writes exception
records to a file.

/LO

/NOFILL_ BUCKETS

Follows fill numbers
when loading file.

/NOER[:s]

/EXIT

Stops immediately if
there is an exception.

/PD[:[#]x)

/PAD[=[%b]x]

Pads input records.

/TR

/TRUNCATE

Truncates input
records.

/CL:nnn

Sets sort work files
cluster size; specific
to RSTS/E.

/DE:dvn[:dvn]

Assign the
logical names
SORTWORKn (n = 0-9).

Reassigns devices for
sort work files.

/KR:n

/KEY=n

Reads the input file
by key.

/NOSO

/NOSORT

Does not sort file
before loading.

Using the Convert/ Reclaim Utility
Unlike CONVERT, which changes the organization and record format of a
file, CONVERT/RECLAIM reclaims empty buckets in an existing Prolog 3
ISAM file. The organization and record format of the file are not changed.
When you delete all of the records in a bucket, the bucket still retains its
position within the database because it has a certain range of primary key
values associated with it. When you then write new records to the file, those
records whose primary key falls within that range will be written to that
bucket.
If your application contains new records that will never use a primary key
that belonged to an old deleted record, then empty buckets will never be
reused unless you reclaim them. To reclaim a bucket, CONVERT/RECLAIM
deletes the old pointers to it and puts it on a list of free buckets. When an
application adds records and needs a bucket, RMS goes to the free bucket list
and sets up pointers to a bucket from the list. By reclaiming buckets, you can
often avoid extending the file, which causes inefficient processing.
In addition, CONVERT/RECLAIM preserves RFA (record's file address)
access to the file.

CONV-6

CONVERT
Description

CONVERT/RECLAIM cannot be used on Prolog 1 or 2 ISAM (indexed) files.
To reclaim empty buckets in a Prolog 1 or 2 indexed file, you must first
reorganize the file by using the Convert Utility. This reorganization creates a
new version of the file. However, unlike CONVERT/RECLAIM, CONVERT
establishes new RFAs for the records.
To invoke the CONVERT/RECLAIM functions from within a program, use
the CONV$RECLAIM routine. For more information, refer to the VAX/VMS
Utility Routines Reference Manual.

CONV-7

CONVERT
Command Qualifiers

COMMAND
QUALIFIERS

CONV-8

The CONVERT command qualifiers, which allow you to select the
organization and format of your output file, are described in the following
section.

CONVERT
/APPEND

/APPEND
Controls whether records are to be appended to the end of an
existing sequential file.

FORMAT

/[NO]APPEND

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION

The /APPEND qualifier is useful when you merely want to attach one file to
the end of another file. This qualifier is ignored when the file's organization
is relative or indexed.
/NOAPPEND, however, is the default. You should use this option when
you are loading records into a sequential file that already contains records or
when you are creating a new sequential file.
If both /APPEND and /CREATE are specified, /APPEND overrides the
/CREATE qualifier.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/APPEND N_Z_FILE.DAT A_M_FILE.DAT

This command causes the sequential input file N_Z__FILE.DAT to be attached
to the end of the sequential file A__M_JFILE.DAT. In this case, the records in
two files are already in alphabetical order, and N_Z_JFILE.DAT only needs
to be appended to A__M_FILE.DAT for the whole file to be in alphabetical
order.

COIMV-9

CONVERT
/CREATE

/CREATE
Determines whether CONVERT creates a file or uses an existing file
for output.

FORMAT

/[NO]CREATE

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION

/CREATE causes CONVERT to create an output file instead of using an
existing file for output.
If the output file is to have different characteristics from the input file, you
must also specify the /FDL qualifier. To create an output file with the same
characteristics as the input file, omit the /FDL qualifier.
/NOCREATE causes CONVERT to use an existing file for output. You would
use this option, for instance, to load records into a data file that you had
previously created with the Create/FDL Utility.
/CREATE is the default.

EXAMPLES
□

$ CONVERT/CREATE OLDFILE.DAT NEWFILE.DAT

This command creates the new output file NEWFILE.DAT and loads it with
the records from OLDFILE.DAT.
0

$ CONVERT/CREATE/FDL=UPDATE.FDL OLDFILE.DAT NEWFILE.DAT

This command creates the new output file NEWFILE.DAT and loads it with
the OLDFILE.DAT records that have been reformatted according to the
characteristics in the FDL file UPDATE.

CONV-IO

CONVERT
/EXCEPTIONS-FILE

/EXCEPTIONS—FILE
Specifies whether an exceptions file is to be generated during the
conversion.

FORMAT
qualifier value

/EXCEPTIONS_FILE [=file-specJ
/NOEXCEPTIONS—FILE
file-spec
Specifies the output file into which you want the exception records to be re¬
turned. If you specify /EXCEPTIONS_FILE and omit the file-spec parameter,
the exception records are displayed to SYS$OUTPUT.
The default file type for the exceptions file is EXC. /NOEXCEPTIONS_FILE
is the default.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/EXCEPTIONS_FILE=EXFILE.EXC OLDFILE.DAT NEWFILE.DAT

This command loads the records from OLDFILE.DAT to NEWFILE.DAT and
writes any records that cause exceptions into the file EXFILE.EXC.

CONV-11

CONVERT
/EXIT

/EXIT
Controls whether CONVERT will exit when it encounters an ex¬
ception record. The default operation is to continue processing
records.

FORMAT

/[NO]EXIT

qualifier values

None.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/EXIT OLDFILE.DAT NEWFILE

This command loads the records from OLDFILE.DAT into NEWFILE.DAT
and causes CONVERT to exit if an exception record is processed. Since an
output file type was not specified, CONVERT gives the output file the same
file type as the input file.

CONV-12

CONVERT
/FAST_LOAD

/FAST_LOAD
Specifies whether a fast loading algorithm will be used for indexed
files.

FORMAT

/[NO]FAST_LOAD

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION

The /FAST-LOAD option is one of the most useful features of the Convert
Utility. Both /FAST_LOAD and /NOFAST_LOAD sort primary keys, and
both require multiple scratch disk files.
Essentially, the difference between the /NOFAST—LOAD and the
/FASTLOAD options is how records are inserted into an ISAM (indexed)
file. The /NOFAST_LOAD option uses the normal RMS Put service to load
each record; RMS updates the indexes of both the primary and secondary
(alternate) keys as each record is inserted.
The major disadvantage of using the /NOFAST_LOAD option is the slower
performance of the system that results from bucket splits and updates to
the index. As each primary key is inserted, any secondary keys for that
record are also inserted, but in the order of the primary key. In other words,
the secondary keys are not inserted in order of their own keys. These
unsorted secondary keys may eventually cause bucket splits; as a result, the
index structure for the secondary keys may be less efficient. However, the
advantage of the /NOFAST_LOAD option is that secondary keys are not
sorted.
The /FAST_LOAD option, on the other hand, sorts both the primary and
secondary keys. CONVERT processes a file as follows:
1

The primary keys are sorted. If the input file is on tape or if you specify
multiple input files, the temporary sort work file contains the actual
records in sorted order. If the input file is on a disk, however, the work
file contains only pointers in sorted order back to the input file.

Note: If your input records are already in order by primary key or if the
primary key of the input and output ISAM files is the same, you
should specify /NOSORT. This qualifier ensures that the primary
keys are not sorted again. For more information on sorting, see the
description of the /SORT qualifier in this section.

2 CONVERT builds the primary data record level from the sorted output
file. CONVERT completely fills a bucket with data before it creates the
lowest primary index level (the level 1 index). When an index bucket is
filled, CONVERT creates an index record in the next highest index level.

3 When CONVERT is finished with the primary key, it updates the associ¬
ated KEY DESCRIPTOR in the file's prolog, closes any input files, deletes
any temporary files, and closes the output file. At this point, CONVERT
has created a valid output file, sorted in order of the primary key. If you
have not specified any alternate keys, CONVERT is finished processing.

CONV-13

CONVERT
/FAST_LOAD

4 CONVERT now reopens the input file so the first alternate key (if one
has been specified) can be sorted. Again, CONVERT creates a temporary
file containing pointers back to the primary data records. These pointers,
however, have been sorted according to the first alternate key.

5 CONVERT loads these sorted pointers into the secondary index data
record (SIDR) level and adjusts them to point to the records in the primary
data level. Again, CONVERT completely fills a bucket with data before it
creates the lowest secondary index level. When an index bucket is filled,
CONVERT creates an index record in the next highest secondary index
level.
6

When CONVERT is finished with this secondary key, it updates the
associated KEY DESCRIPTOR in the file's prolog, closes any input files,
deletes any temporary files, and closes the output file. At this point,
CONVERT has created a valid output file, containing sorted primary
keys and secondary keys. If you have not specified any more alternate
keys, CONVERT is finished processing. However, if you have specified
additional alternate keys, they are processed in the same way.

The major advantage of using the /FAST—LOAD option is that it is consider¬
ably faster than the RMS method used by the /NOFAST—LOAD option. In
most cases, you can increase processing speed by a factor of 10. Even greater
speed results when you load large files with many keys.
In addition, the index structure can be very efficient because each key is
sorted before loading. The only disadvantage is the large amount of space
needed for the work files. However, you can control the amount of space
by using the /WORK— FILES qualifier and by reassigning the work files to
different devices. See the /WORK —FILES qualifier in this section for more
information.
The default /FAST—LOAD.

EXAMPLES
Q

$ CONVERT/FAST.LOAD UPDATE.DAT MASTER.DAT

This command loads the records from the file UPDATE.DAT into the output
file MASTER.DAT using the /FAST option. SORT32 sorts the primary keys
before they are loaded into the primary index, and CONVERT sorts the
secondary keys in order of the primary key.

$ CONVERT/NOFAST.LOAD UPDATE.DAT MASTER.DAT

This command loads the records from the file UPDATE.DAT into the output
file MASTER.DAT using the normal RMS Put service (record-by-record).

CONV-14

CONVERT
/FDL

/FDL
indicates that an FDL file is to be used in creating the output file.

FORMAT
qualifier value

/FDL=fdl-file-spec

fdl-file-spec
Specifies the particular FDL file to be used in creating the output file.

DESCRIPTION

The newly created output file will have the name specified by the output-filespec command parameter; this name overrides any file name specified in the
FDL file.
The default file type for the FDL file is FDL.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/FDL=INDEXFILE CUSTSEQ.DAT CUSTIND.DAT

This command creates the new file CUSTIND.DAT according to the spec¬
ifications in the FDL file INDEXFILE.FDL. Records are then loaded from
CUSTSEQ.DAT into CUSTIND.DAT.

COIMV-15

CONVERT
/FI LI_BUCKETS

/FILL-BUCKETS
Controls whether to override the bucket fill percentage parameter
associated with the output file.

FORMAT

/[NO]FILI_BUCKETS

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION

If /FILL—BUCKETS is specified, CONVERT will fill the buckets of the output
file with as many records as possible. This behavior is advantageous if you
do not plan to do random file processing because fewer buckets save space
and processing time.
With /NOFILL-BUCKETS, however, CONVERT does not fill the buckets
completely. Therefore, you can add records at a later date without splitting
buckets or extending the file.
This option is valid only for indexed output files. The default is
/NOFILL-BUCKETS.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/FILL_BUCKETS SALES_DATA.DAT CUST_DATA.DAT

This command loads the records from the ISAM (indexed sequential) file
SALES_DATA.DAT into the ISAM file CUST_DATA.DAT, filling the buckets
of the output file with as many records as possible.

CONV-16

CONVERT
/FIXED-CONTROL

/FIXED_CONTROL
Controls the behavior of CONVERT in conversions between vari¬
able with fixed-length control (VFC) records and records of other
formats.

FORMAT

/[NO]FIXED_CONTROL

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION

If /FIXED_CONTROL is specified for VFC input records, then the fixedcontrol portion of the record is attached to the front of the output record.
If /FIXED_CONTROL is specified for VFC output records, then the fixedcontrol portion of the output record is taken from the front of the input
record. If the input record is not long enough to fill the control portion of the
output record, an exception record is generated.
If /NOFIXED_CONTROL is specified with VFC input records, then the
fixed-portion of the input record is not copied to the output record.
If /NOFIXED—CONTROL is specified for VFC output records, then the
fixed-portion of the output record is set to 0.
This option is not applicable to indexed files. The default is /NOFIXED—
CONTROL.
When you use this qualifier, you must account for the size of the fixed-control
area when you calculate the maximum size of the output record.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/FIXED_CONTROL VFC_FILE.DAT OUTFILE.DAT

This command loads the VFC records in the input file VFC_FILE.DAT into
the output file OUTFILE.DAT.

CONV-17

CONVERT
/KEY

/KEY
Specifies that CONVERT use a key of reference (such as primary
key, first alternate key, or second alternate key) to access records
from an indexed file.

FORMAT
qualifier value

/KEY=n
n
Specifies the key of reference by which records are accessed from an indexed
file. For instance, you specify a primary key as /KEY= 0, a first secondary key
as /KEY=1, and so on.

DESCRIPTION

The /KEY option is valid for indexed input files only. If an indexed out¬
put file is specified, then /NOFAST_LOAD and /NOSORT must also be
specified.
If you use the /KEY qualifier, you must specify a key value (/KEY=0,
/KEY=1, and so on). If you do not specify the /KEY qualifier, the default is
the primary key (/KEY=0).

EXAMPLES
□

$ CONVERT/NOCREATE CUST_SEQ.DAT CUST_ISAM.DAT

This command loads the records from the sequential input file CUST_
SEQ.DAT into the indexed output file CUST_ISAM.DAT. Since the /KEY
qualifier was not specified, the records in the output file are in order by the
primary key. The command below would have the same effect.
CONVERT/NOCREATE/KEY=0 CUST_SEQ.DAT CUST_ISAM.DAT
E

$ C0NVERT/N0CREATE/KEY=1 CUST_ISAM.DAT CUST_SEQ.DAT

This command loads the records from the indexed input file CUST_
ISAM.DAT into the sequential output file CUST_SEQ.DAT. The records
in the output file are in order by the first alternate key.

COIMV-18

CONVERT
/MERGE

/MERGE
Specifies that records are to be inserted into their proper position in
an existing indexed file.

FORMAT

/MERGE

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION

The /MERGE qualifier is also useful when your input records are not sorted,
and you do not want them to be sorted as they are loaded into an output file.
If both /MERGE and /CREATE are specified, /MERGE overrides the
/CREATE qualifier.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/MERGE ACCOUNTS.DAT MASTER.ISAM.DAT

This command loads the records from the input file ACCOUNTS.DAT into
the existing indexed output file MASTER_ISAM.DAT according to primary
key values.

CONV-19

CONVERT
/PAD

/PAD
Determines whether short records are to be padded.

/PAD [=[%b]x]
/NOPAD

FORMAT

qualifier values

%b
Represents the base of the numeric value specified by x. Values for b are
listed below.
D

Indicates that x is a decimal value.

Indicates that x is an octal value.

Indicates that x is a hexadecimal value.

If you specify x as a numeric value, it is interpreted in the base indicated by
%b.

X
Specifies that the short records are to be padded with either ASCII characters
(A through Z, a through z) or numeric values (0 through 9).
If you specify x as an ASCII character, you do not need to specify %b.
However, if you specify x as a numeric value, you must specify the optional
base with %b.
*

DESCRIPTION

The /PAD qualifier indicates that short records are to be padded with ASCII
characters. A record is too short when it does not contain as many bytes as
the record length for fixed-length record format.
If /PAD is specified, the default pad character is the ASCII null character
(character value 0). The /PAD option is valid only for fixed-output record
formats.
The default is /NOPAD, which generates an exception record when a short
record is encountered.

EXAMPLES
□

$ C0NVERT/N0CREATE/PAD=%X40 INFILE.DAT OUTFILE

This command specifies that any short records in the input file INFILE.DAT
are to be padded with an ASCII space character before being loaded into the
fixed-length output file OUTFILE.DAT.

$ CONVERT/FDL=FIXED/PAD=0 INFILE.VAR OUTFILE.FIX

This command creates the fixed format file OUTFILE.FIX and then loads it
with records from the variable input file INFILE.VAR. Any short records from
the input file are padded with an ASCII 0 before they are loaded.

CONV-20

CONVERT
/PROLOG

/PROLOG
Specifies the prolog version number of the output indexed file.

FORMAT
qualifier value

/PROLOG=n
n
Specifies the prolog number 1, 2, or 3.
If you specify 2 for n, the output file will be either a Prolog 1 or Prolog 2 file.
If you specify 3, CONVERT creates a Prolog 3 file for output. Prolog 3
files accept multiple keys (or alternate keys), all data types, and segmented
keys. The only restriction in using a Prolog 3 file applies to files containing
overlapping key segments. In this case, you would have to use a Prolog 2
file. However, if you try to create a Prolog 3 file when your file contains
overlapping key segments, CONVERT returns a fatal error message, and the
conversion does not occur.

DESCRIPTION

If you do not specify the /PROLOG qualifier, CONVERT uses the prolog
version of the first input file. If the input file is not indexed, CONVERT uses
the RMS default. To see what this default is on your system, issue the DCL
command SHOW RMS—DEFAULT.
The /PROLOG qualifier overrides the value given with the FDL attribute KEY
PROLOG.

EXAMPLE
$ C0NVERT/PR0L0G=3 INFILE.2 0UTFILE.3

This command loads the records from the Prolog 2 input file INFILE_2 into
the Prolog 3 output file OUTFILE_3. Both the input and output file are
indexed files.

CONV-21

CONVERT
/READ_CHECK

/READ-CHECK
Specifies whether each input record is to be read from the file a
second time and compared to the record originally read.
The default is /NOREAD—CHECK.

FORMAT

/[NO]READ_CHECK

qualifier values

None.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/READ.CHECK Q3_SALES.DAT YTD_SALES.DAT

This command specifies that the records from the input file Q3_SALES.DAT
are to be read and checked by the ACP, and then loaded into the output file
YTD_SALES.DAT.

CONV-22

CONVERT
/SHARE

/SHARE
Specifies whether the input file is to be opened for sharing with
other processes.

FORMAT

/[NO]SHARE

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION You can use the /SHARE option to generate a rough backup of a file which

is always opened for sharing by some applications. However, another process
can alter the records at the same time that CONVERT is operating. As a
result, the consistency of the output file cannot be guaranteed.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/SHARE SYSUAF.DAT BACKUP.DAT

This command indicates that the input file SYSUAF.DAT is open for sharing
with other processes at the same time its records are being loaded into the
output file BACKUP.DAT.

CONV-23

CONVERT
/SORT

/SORT
Specifies whether the input file is to be sorted before being loaded
into an indexed file. The sort is done according to the primary key
of the output file.

FORMAT

/[NO]SORT

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION

Two procedures can improve the sort performance:
•

Increasing the size of the working set for the duration of the sort. The
general rule is to use as large a working set as allowed by your working
set quota. To set this value, use the DCL command SET WORKING—SET.
To see what your authorized quota is, give the SHOW WORKING—SET
command.

•

Placing the input file, the output file, and the temporary work files on
separate disk devices. The default operation is to place the work files on
your default device, which could conceivably cause CONVERT to run out
of disk space. To specify the location of the work files, give a command of
the form
$ ASSIGN device-name: SORTWORKn

The "n" represents the number of the work file, from 0 to 9. The colon is
required after the device name. For example, the following two ASSIGN
commands would place the work files on disks named TMPD and DEVD.
$ ASSIGN TMPD: SORTWORKO
$ ASSIGN DEVD: S0RTW0RK1

Using more than two work files (the default) is not particularly advan¬
tageous unless you have to use many smaller ones in order to fit on
crowded disks. In fact, the amount of work files you use can be a dis¬
advantage. You can control the number of work files with the /WORKFILES qualifier.
Also, when CONVERT uses SORT32, it may open up to 13 files. If your
process open file limit is reached or if RMS runs out of dynamic memory,
SORT32 may fail to open a necessary temporary file.
The default is /SORT. Also, this option is ignored if the output file is not
indexed.
For more information on using SORT32 with CONVERT, see the /FASTLOAD qualifier in this section.

CONV-24

CONVERT
/SORT

EXAMPLES
□

$ CONVERT/SORT IN_ISAM.DAT OUT_ISAM.DAT

This command causes the records in the input indexed file IN_ISAM.DAT
to be sorted according the primary key values before being loaded into the
output indexed file OUT__ISAM.DAT.
s

$ CONVERT/NOSORT/FDL=REORG ISAM.DAT ISAM.DAT

This command reorganizes the file ISAM.DAT according to the attributes
specified in the FDL file REORG.FDL. The primary keys are not sorted
because ISAM.DAT is already in order by primary key, and the primary key
definition did not change.

CONV-25

CONVERT
/STATISTICS

/STATISTICS
Determines whether a set of statistics about the completed con¬
version will be displayed. This qualifier can be used on both the
CONVERT and the CONVERT/RECLAIM commands.

FORMAT

/[NO]STATISTICS

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION

Both CONVERT and CONVERT/RECLAIM have a /STATISTICS command
qualifier. The statistics produced by the Convert Utility are listed below.
•

Number of files processed

•

Total records processed

•

Total exception records

•

Total valid records

•

Elapsed time

•

Buffered I/O count

•

Direct I/O count

•

Page faults

•

CPU time

The statistics produced by the Convert/Reclaim Utility are listed below.
•

Total buckets scanned

•

Data buckets reclaimed

•

Index buckets reclaimed

•

Total buckets reclaimed

•

Elapsed time

•

CPU time

CONVERT/RECLAIM produces no output unless you specify this qualifier.

EXAMPLES
□

$ CONVERT/STATISTICS Q3_SALES.DAT YTD_SALES.DAT

This command causes CONVERT to load the records from the input file
Q3_SALES.DAT into the output file YTD_SALES.DAT and then display a set
of statistics about the conversion.

COIMV-26

CONVERT
/STATISTICS

$ CONVERT/RECLAIM/STATISTICS CUSTDATA.IDX

This command causes CONVERT/RECLAIM to reclaim buckets in the
indexed file CUSTDATA.IDX and then to display statistics about the
reclamation.

CONV-27

CONVERT
/TRUNCATE

/TRUNCATE
Specifies whether long records are to be truncated.

FORMAT

/[NO]TRUNCATE

qualifier values

None.

DESCRIPTION A record is too long when it exceeds the maximum record length of the file or
the record length for fixed-length record format.

If a long record is encountered and /NOTRUNCATE is specified, the record is
not written to the output file. If the /EXCEPTIONS— FILE option is specified,
the entire record is written to the exceptions file.

EXAMPLES
□

$ CONVERT/TRUNCATE INFILE.DAT OUTFILE.DAT

This command causes CONVERT to truncate any records from the input
file INFILE.DAT that are too long for the specifications of the output file
OUTFILE.DAT.
S

$ CONVERT/NOTRUNCATE/EXCEPTIONS_FILE=EXFILE INFILE OUTFILE

This command causes CONVERT to write any records from the input file
INFILE that are too long for the specifications of the output file OUTFILE to
the exceptions file EXFILE.

CONV-28

CONVERT
/WORK_ FILES

/WORK_ FILES
Specifies the number of temporary work files to be used during the
sort process.

FORMAT
qualifier value

/WORK—FILES = n
n
Specifies the number of work files you want. You can specify 0 or any value
from 1 through 10. A value of 0 indicates that no work files are necessary
because the data will fit into your process's working set.
The default number of work files used during a sort is 2.

DESCRIPTION This option is valid when you are fast-loading a file with multiple keys or
when you specify the /SORT qualifier. For more information on sorting, see
both the /SORT and the /FAST—LOAD qualifiers in this section.

EXAMPLE
$ C0NVERT/W0RK_FILES=0 UPDATE.DAT MASTER.DAT

This command loads the records from the input file UPDATE.DAT into the
output file MASTER.DAT without using any work files.

CONV-29

CONVERT
/WRITE_CHECK

/WRITE_CHECK
Specifies whether all writes are to be checked by reading the new
records from the disk and comparing the new records with the
original records in memory.

FORMAT

/[NO]WRITE_CHECK

qualifier values

None.

EXAMPLE
$ CONVERT/WRITE.CHECK UPDATE.DAT MASTER.DAT

This command causes CONVERT to load the records from the input file
UPDATE.DAT into the output file MASTER.DAT and then compare the
written records with the original records for accuracy.

CONV-30

CONVERT
Examples

CONVERT
EXAMPLES
□

$ CONVERT/NOCREATE/TRUNCATE/EXCEPTIONS_FILE=EXFILE VARFILE.DAT FIXFILE.DAT

This command causes CONVERT to copy records from a file with
variable-length records (VARFILE.DAT) to a file with fixed-length records
(FIXFILE.DAT). Records longer than the fixed length are truncated, and short
records are copied to the exceptions file EXFILE.EXC.
0

$ CONVERT FILE.IDX FILE.IDX

This command creates the output file FILE.IDX with a version number one
higher than that of the input file. The output file is a copy of the input file,
but it is a clean copy without bucket splits, RRVs (record reference vectors),
or pointers to deleted records. The performance of the output file is also
improved.
Note that CONVERT establishes new RFAs during such reorganizations.
E

$ CONVERT/RECLAIM/STATISTICS FILE.IDX

This command reclaims empty buckets in the file FILE.IDX. RFA values are
preserved.
Q

$ CONVERT/FDL=TEST.FDL TRNTO::DBA1:[EXP]SUB.DAT OUT.DAT

This CONVERT command creates a new sequential file OUT.DAT with
stream record format at the local node, according to the specification in the
previously created FDL file TEST.FDL. The input file SUB.DAT at remote
node TRNTO is sequential with variable-length record format. The Convert
Utility copies records from SUB.DAT to OUT.DAT, changing the format of
the records.
The contents of the FDL file TEST.FDL are as follows:
SYSTEM
SOURCE

VAX/VMS

ORGANIZATION

SEQUENTIAL

BLOCK.SPAN
CARRIAGE.CONTROL
FORMAT
SIZE

YES
CARRIAGE.RETURN
STREAM
0

FILE
RECORD

$ CONVERT MASTER.DAT DENVER::DB1:[PROD]MASTER.SAV

This CONVERT command creates a new file called MASTER.SAV at remote
node DENVER from the file MASTER.DAT at the local node. Because the
/FDL qualifier is not used, the new file has the same file organization and
record format as the original file. The action of this CONVERT command
is similar to the function performed by the COPY command. However,
CONVERT transfers the file record by record and thus does not use block
I/O.

CONV-31

CONVERT
Examples

$ CONVERT/APPEND SALES.TMP KANSAS::[200,2]SALES.CMD

This CONVERT command causes records from the file SALES.TMP at the lo¬
cal node to be added sequentially to the end of the output file SALES.CMD at
remote node KANSAS. The file SALES.TMP is sequential with variable-length
record format, and the file SALES.CMD is sequential with stream record for¬
mat. When the Convert Utility loads records from the input file to the output
file, it changes the record format.
Q

$ CONVERT/FDL=FIXED/PAD=0/TRUNCATE INFILE.VAR OUTFILE.FIX

This command creates the fixed format file OUTFILE.FIX and then loads it
with records from the variable input file INFILE.VAR. Before they are loaded,
any short records from the input file are padded with an ASCII 0 character,
and any long records are truncated.

$ CONVERT/FDL=SYS$INPUT FORT.DAT STREAM.DAT
FILE
ORGANIZATION
SEQUENTIAL
RECORD
CARRIAGE.CONTROL
_ FORMAT
[CTRL/Zl

CARRIAGE.RETURN
STREAM

This command converts the FORTRAN carriage control file FORT.DAT to a
stream file that prints or types identically. The number of records may differ,
and the FORTRAN carriage control information is removed from the records.

$ CONVERT/FDL=SYS$INPUT FORT.DAT VAR.DAT
FILE
ORGANIZATION
SEQUENTIAL
RECORD
CARRIAGE.CONTROL
_ FORMAT
1 CTRL/Zl

CARRIAGE.RETURN
VARIABLE

This command converts the FORTRAN carriage control file FORT.DAT to
a variable-length record file. The FORTRAN carriage control information is
preserved as the first data byte, and the number of records in the output and
input files is the same.

CONV-32

Index

DECnet-VAX (cont'd.)
using the Convert/Reclaim Utility with*CONV-4
Direct I/O count • CONV-26
Directing output of CONVERT • CONV-2
Directing output of CONVERT/RECLAIM • CONV-2

/APPEND qualifier* CONV-1, CONV-3, CONV-9
ASCII pad character*CONV-20

B
Bucket
fill percentage *CONV-16
list of free*CONV-7
reclamation of*CONV-1
Buffered I/O count • CONV-26

c
Carriage control • CONV-3
converting formats*CONV-3
FORTRAN* CONV-3
PRINT* CONV-3
STREAM* CONV-3
Character
pad • CONV-20
Concatenation of input files*CONV-1
CONV$RECLAIM routine*CONV-7

E
Elapsed time*CONV-26
Error message
warning* CONV-5
Examples
appending a remote file*CONV-31
converting a carriage control file to stream*
CONV-32
converting a carriage control file to variablelength • CONV-32
converting a remote file*CONV-31
converting fixed format to variable-length*
CONV-32
converting record formats*CONV-31
improving a file's performance • CONV-31
reclaiming buckets*CONV-31
reorganizing a remote file*CONV-31
EXC file type*CONV-5
Exception

Conversion • CONV-5
of VFC records*CONV-17
CPU time*CONV-26
/CREATE qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-10, CONV-19

condition • CONV-5
records* CONV-5
Exceptions file*CONV-5
/EXCEPTIONS—FILE qualifier • CONV-1, CONV-11,
CONV-28
/EXIT qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-12
Exiting CONVERT*CONV-2
Exiting CONVERT/RECLAIM • CONV-2

Data buckets, reclaimed*CONV-26
Data files
creation of*CONV-2
DECnet-VAX
using the Convert Utility with*CONV-4

/FAST_LOAD qualifier • CONV-1, CONV-13
FDL file
with CONVERT*CONV-2
/FDL qualifier

Index—1

Index

/FDL qualifier (cont'd.)
CONVERT • CONV-1, CONV-3, CONV-15
File
exceptions • CONV-5
reorganization • CONV-7
temporary • CONV-29
File organization*CONV-2
File specification*CONV-1
File type*CONV-1
EXC* CONV-5
/FILI_BUCKETS qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-16
Fixed-length record • CONV-20, CONV-28
/FIXED-CONTROL qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-17
Format
of fixed-length record • CONV-20
FORTRAN carriage control • CONV-3
Free bucket list*CONV-7

i
I/O counts*CONV-26
Index
buckets reclaimed • CONV-26
Indexed file
loading* CONV-13
Prolog 3* CONV-1
reformatting • CONV-2
Input file concatentation*CONV-1
Invoking CONVERT*CONV-2
Invoking CONVERT/RECLAIM • CONV-2

M
/MERGE qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-3, CONV-19
Multiple
input files*CONV-1
keys* CONV-29

N
/NOAPPEND qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-9
/NOCREATE qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-10
/NOEXCEPTIONS—FILE qualifier • CONV-1, CONV11
/NOEXIT qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-12
/NOFAST_LOAD qualifier• CONV-1, CONV-13,
CONV-18
/NOFILI_BUCKETS qualifier • CONV-1, CONV-16
/NOFIXED—CONTROL qualifier*CONV-1, CONV17
/NOPAD qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-20
/NOREAD_CHECK qualifier • CONV-1, CONV-22
/NOSHARE qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-23
/NOSORT qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-18, CONV-24
/NOSTATISTICS qualifier
CONVERT command*CONV-1, CONV-26
CONVERT/RECLAIM command • CONV-1,
CONV-26
/NOTRUNCATE qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-28
/NOWRITE_CHECK qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-30
NULL pad character*CONV-20
Number of files processed • CONV-26

Key of reference*CONV-18
KEY PROLOG attribute*CONV-21
/KEY qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-18

L
Library routine*CONV-2

Index—2

Organization of a file*CONV-2
Output files
creating • CONV-3
loading* CONV-3

Index

P
Pad character*CONV-20
/PAD qualifier* CONV-1, CONV-5, CONV-20
Padding records*CONV-5
Page fault*CONV-26
Primary key*CONV-18
PRINT carriage control*CONV-3
Prolog 3 file*CONV-1
PROLOG attribute*CONV-21
/PROLOG qualifier* CON V-1, CONV-21

R
/READ_CHECK qualifier* CON V-1, CONV-22
Reclaiming buckets* CON V-1
Reclamation statistics*CONV-26
Record
fixed-length format • CONV-20
format • CONV-2
maximum length*CONV-28
Record's file address
See RFA
Reference, key of*CONV-18
Reorganization of file*CONV-7
Restrictions of CONVERT*CONV-2
Restrictions of CONVERT/RECLAIM • CONV-2
RFA (record's file address) • CONV-2
RFA (record's file address) • CONV-7
access* CONV-7
RMS
default* CONV-21
Routine
calling from a program • CONV-2

/STATISTICS qualifier
CONVERT command* CON V-1, CONV-26
CONVERT/RECLAIM command • CONV-1,
CONV-26
STREAM carriage control • CONV-3
SYS$ERROR warning message • CONV-5
SYS$OUTPUT
with CONVERT* CON V-11

T
Temporary file*CONV-29
Total buckets reclaimed • CONV-26
Total buckets scanned • CONV-26
Total exception records*CONV-26
Total records processed • CONV-26
Total valid records*CONV-26
/TRUNCATE qualifier• CONV-1, CONV-5, CONV
28
Truncation of records*CONV-5
Type
file* CONV-1

V
VFC record
conversion of*CONV-17

w
Warning message • CONV-5
Wildcard character*CONV-1
/WORK_FILES qualifier* CONV-1, CON V-29
/WRITE_CHECK qualifier • CON V-1, CONV-30

s
Scratch file*CONV-13
/SHARE qualifier*CONV-1, CONV-23
SHOW RMS_DEFAULT command • CONV-21
/SORT qualifier* CONV-1, CONV-24, CON V-29

Index—3

VAX/VMS Convert
and Convert/Reclaim
Utility Reference
Manual
AA-Z409A-TE

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