TOPS-20 Commands Reference Manual

ARCHIVE

Asks that a permanent off-line copy of specified files be made on magnetic tape, and prevents the disk copy (if retained) from being modified.

Format

@ARCHIVE (FILES) filespec,...,
@@subcommand

where:

filespec is the specification of a file of which you want a permanent copy.
@@subcommand means that after a final comma you can type the following optional subcommands:
RETAIN which causes the disk copies of the files being archived to be retained in your directory, rather than deleted and expunged.
NORETAIN which sets the file invisible.
VISIBLE which leaves file visible after ARCHIVE command.

Output

Notice of Archive Sent to Requestor

Whenever a file is taken off line as a result of your ARCHIVE command (for example, when you do not also give the RETAIN subcommand), the operator sends a mail message notifying you that the file has been archived.

Characteristics

Archived Files Unalterable

You cannot change the contents of files specified in an ARCHIVE command once the command is given, even if the files are not immediately copied to tape. This means that you cannot alter or add to them by using the EDIT or APPEND command, or overwrite them by using the COPY or RENAME command. In general, files for which you have requested archival must not be given as the second filespec argument of these commands.

Archived Files Invisible

The files you specify in an ARCHIVE command ordinarily become invisible to most TOPS-20 commands as soon as the ARCHIVE command is given. However, if you include the RETAIN subcommand when giving the ARCHIVE command, the files remain visible. See Related Commands, below, for a list of commands you can use with invisible files.

Related Commands

CANCEL ARCHIVE for canceling archival requests
DELETE, with the ARCHIVE subcommand for deleting archived files
DELETE, with the CONTENTS-ONLY subcommand for deleting only the disk copy of files that also have a tape copy
DIRECTORY, with the ARCHIVE subcommand for requesting information on archived files (visible and invisible) only
DIRECTORY, with the INVISIBLE subcommand for requesting information on invisible files only
DISCARD for giving up the tape copy of on-line files
INFORMATION ARCHIVE-STATUS for determining if archival for the specified files (visible and invisible) has been accomplished
RETRIEVE for restoring off-line files (visible and invisible) to on-line status
SET FILE INVISIBLE for making visible files invisible
SET FILE VISIBLE for making invisible files visible

Examples

  1. Archive a file. 
    @ARCHIVE ARTEST.FIL
 ARTEST.FIL.1 [Requested]
  2. Archive a file, but keep a copy on disk. Check the archive status of files. 
    @ARCHIVE ARCHEK.FIL,
@@RETAIN
@@
 ARCHEK.FIL.1 [Requested]
@INFORMATION ARCHIVE-STATUS
 ARCHEK.FIL.1 Archive requested,  Retain contents
 ARTEST.FIL.1 Archive requested
  3. Attempt to use the EDIT editor to edit an archived file (first you must make it visible). Note that, afterwards, the unedited backup copy is the archived file, and that the edited file has no archive status. 
    @INFORMATION ARCHIVE-STATUS ARTEST.FIL
 ARTEST.FIL.1 Archive requested
@EDIT ARTEST.FIL

%No such filename, Creating New file
Input: ARTEST.FIL.2
00100   $
*EQ
@SET FILE VISIBLE ARTEST.FIL.1
 ARTEST.FIL.1 [OK]
@EDIT ARTEST.FIL.1
Edit: ARTEST.FIL.1
*P
00100  !TEST FILE FOR ARCHIVING
*I200
00200  !FIRST MODIFICATION
00300   $
*P^:*
00100  !TEST FILE FOR ARCHIVING
00200  !FIRST MODIFICATION
*EU

[ARTEST.FIL.2]
@INFORMATION ARCHIVE-STATUS ARTEST.*
 ARTEST.QIL.1 Archive requested
@TYPE ARTEST.QIL
!TEST FILE FOR ARCHIVING
@TYPE ARTEST.FIL
!TEST FILE FOR ARCHIVING
!FIRST MODIFICATION
@DIRECTORY ARTEST.*

   MISC:<LATTA>
 ARTEST.FIL.2
   .QIL.1