Updated: 11 December 1998

OpenVMS User's Manual

Use the asterisk (*) wildcard character to match the following:

• An entire field (or a portion of it) in the directory, file name, and file type fields
• The entire version number field, but not a portion of it

You can use the asterisk (*) wildcard character as follows:

• To manipulate large numbers of files without naming them individually
• To limit the files selected to a more specific group
• In directory specifications

Examples

1. In the following example, the file specification selects all versions of all files in the [FROGMAN] directory:

   $ PRINT [FROGMAN]*.*;*

2. In the following example, only those files in the current default directory with the file type .DAT are displayed:

   $ TYPE *.DAT;*

3. The command in this example selects all files with the file type .DAT that exist in subdirectories one level below [FROGMAN]:

   $ DIRECTORY [FROGMAN.*]*.DAT

4. In the following example, the wildcard characters appear in the directory specification:

   $ TYPE [*.*.*]AVERAGE.*;*

   
   This file specification selects all versions of all files named AVERAGE with any file type that exists in any second-level subdirectory on the current default disk. For example, this file specification selects [A.B.C]AVERAGE.DAT but not [X.Y]AVERAGE.DAT.

Use the percent sign (%) wildcard character as a substitute for any single character in a file specification. You can use the percent sign in the directory, file name, and file type fields. You cannot, however, use the percent sign in the version number field or in ANSI magnetic tape file specifications. The percent sign replaces one character position in a field, but there must be a character to replace.

You can specify the percent sign as many times as necessary and in combination with other wildcard characters.

The following example displays the latest versions of all .DAT files whose names are DISTRICT followed by a single character:

$ TYPE [JONES.TAXES.PROPERTY]DISTRICT%.DAT

This display would include the files DISTRICT1.DAT, DISTRICT2.DAT, and DISTRICT3.DAT. The file DISTRICT4_5.DAT would not be displayed because it has more than one character after DISTRICT, nor would the file DISTRICT.DAT be displayed.

The file specification in this example is valid:

$ [MA*]INS%%%A*.J*;*

4.3 Other File Names

The following sections describe other types of file names supported in an OpenVMS environment.

4.3.1 Null File Names and File Types

The file name and file type fields can be null. For example, the following are valid file specifications:

.TMP	(file name is null)
TEMP.	(file type is null)

When you specify a file in a DCL command, be careful to omit the period following a file name if the command uses a default file type.

Because the FORTRAN command uses the default file type .FOR, the commands in this example produce different results:

$ FORTRAN TEMP $ FORTRAN TEMP.

In the first example, the FORTRAN compiler looks for a file named TEMP.FOR because the file type is omitted. In the second example, the compiler looks for a file named TEMP. because a period following the file name indicates a null file type.

4.3.2 Alternate File Names for Magnetic Tapes

In addition to standard file names, the operating system supports an alternate file-naming convention for ANSI-labeled magnetic tapes. The format is as follows:

"filename".;version

The file name can contain 1 to 17 characters from the ASCII "a" character set. This set of characters includes numeric characters, uppercase letters, and a space, as well as the following characters:

! " % ' ( ) * + , - . / : ; < => ? & _

In addition, asterisk (*) wildcards are allowed in ANSI file names.

4.4 Creating and Modifying Files

The following sections describe how to create and modify files with tools and commands supported in an OpenVMS environment.

The most versatile interactive tool for creating and modifying text files is the interactive text editor. EVE and EDT are two text editors that are included in the OpenVMS operating system; other text editors may also be available on your system.

You can also create and modify files by using the DCL commands CREATE, COPY, and RENAME. The following sections describe how to create and modify files using these commands.

If you are working in an environment with Extended File Specifications, refer to the OpenVMS Guide to Extended File Specifications for further information about creating and copying files in your environment.

4.4.1 Creating Files

The CREATE command creates a text file. You cannot modify a file with the CREATE command; after you have pressed Return, you cannot return to a previous line to modify a word. You must use a text editor such as EDT or EVE to modify a file created with the CREATE command. Pressing Ctrl/Z signals the end of the file and returns you to DCL command level.

In the following example, a file named POUND.LIS is created by entering the CREATE command and then typing lines of text:

$ CREATE POUND.LIS Tag #23, Elmer Doolittle, notified Tag #37, James Watson, notified No tag, light brown, 30 lbs., looks part beagle [Ctrl/Z]

4.4.2 Copying Files

You can use the COPY command to duplicate:

• The contents of an existing file in a new file
• Many files at a time
• Only those files that meet specified criterion by using the /SINCE qualifier with the COPY command

Examples

• In the following example, the file FEES.DAT is copied to RECORDS.DAT:

  $ COPY FEES.DAT RECORDS.DAT

• In the following example, all .TXT files in the default directory are copied to another directory:

  $ COPY *.TXT;* [SAVETEXT]*.*;*

• In the following example, only those files in the directory [JONES.LICENSES.DOG] that have been modified since December 11, 1996 are copied to the default directory:

  $ COPY/SINCE=11-DEC-1996/MODIFIED [JONES.LICENSES.DOG]*.* *

The COPY command can also be used to concatenate files. For example, to append FEES1.DAT to FEES.DAT (forming a new version of FEES.DAT) in your default directory, enter the following command:

$ COPY FEES.DAT,FEES1.DAT FEES.DAT

Note that there is no space between the comma after FEES.DAT and the file name FEES1.DAT.

4.4.4 Copying Files from a Remote Node to Your Node

Use the COPY command to copy files from another node to your node. For example, to copy the latest version of all files in DISK2:[PUBLIC] on node CHAOS to files with the same names in your default directory, enter the following command:

$ COPY CHAOS::DISK2:[PUBLIC]*.* *

4.4.5 Copying Files from Your Node to a Remote Node

Use the COPY command to copy files from your node to another node. If you receive a protection violation or DECnet error message when you attempt to copy a file across systems, you can either use mail to copy the file or you can use an access control string.

In the following example, the latest version of all files in the default directory are copied to files with the same names in the directory DISK2:[STAFF_BACKUP] on node CHAOS:

$ COPY *.* CHAOS::DISK2:[STAFF_BACKUP]

If the file is yours, you can use Mail to send it to a user account on the other node.

When sending files though mail, note the following restrictions:

• When files are copied using the COPY command, the operating system performs data-integrity checking. This check does not occur when sending a file through mail and can cause corrupted files to occur when sending foreign (such as executable) files.
• Use discretion when sending large files. Users on some systems may not be able to receive large files (such as POSTSCRIPT files).

For more information on using Mail to send files, see Chapter 6.

In the following example, the file FEES.DAT is sent to the JONES account on node CHAOS:

$ MAIL/SUBJECT="Fee schedule" FEES.DAT CHAOS::JONES

4.4.7 Using Access Control Strings to Copy Files

To copy files after you have received a protection violation, you can follow the node name in the file specification with an access control string (see Section 4.1.10).

In the following example, the user has an account on node CHAOS with the user name SMITH and the password SPG96PRT. The user is copying all of the files in the default directory to the account on CHAOS.

$ COPY *.* CHAOS"SMITH SPG96PRT"::DISK2:[STAFF_BACKUP]

4.4.8 Renaming Files

Use the RENAME command to give the file a new name and optionally to locate it in a different directory. Note that after being renamed, the original file no longer exists. When you use the RENAME command, the input and output locations must be on the same device.

In the following example, the file FEES.DAT is given the new name RECORDS.DAT and it is moved from the default directory to the [SAVETEXT] directory:

$ RENAME FEES.DAT;4 [SAVETEXT]RECORDS.DAT

4.5 Displaying the Contents of Files

The following sections describe how to display the contents of files with tools and commands supported in an OpenVMS environment.

4.5.1 Using the TYPE Command

To display the contents of a file on your screen, enter the TYPE command and the file name at the DCL prompt. You do not have to specify the version number in the file specification because the system displays the latest version of a file by default.

In the following example, the latest version of the file STAFF_VACATIONS.TXT is displayed:

$ TYPE STAFF_VACATIONS.TXT

4.5.2 Controlling the Display

To stop the scrolling of the text on the screen temporarily, press the Hold Screen key (F1 on VT200 and VT300 series terminals); to resume scrolling, press the Hold Screen key again. To stop the display and return to DCL command level, press Ctrl/Y or Ctrl/O.

If you specify the /PAGE qualifier to the TYPE command, you can view one screen at a time. The system prompts you to press Return when you want to see the next screen.

To display the contents of a file on a remote node, include the node name, disk, and directory in the file specification.

In the following example, the file COMPANY_HOLIDAYS.TXT (which is located on remote node CHAOS) is displayed:

$ TYPE CHAOS::DISK2:[PUBLIC]COMPANY_HOLIDAYS.TXT

4.5.4 Displaying Files with Wildcards

You can use the asterisk (*) wildcard to display all versions of a specific file.

In the following example, all versions of the file LOGIN.COM in the directory [JONES] are displayed:

$ TYPE [JONES]LOGIN.COM;*

In the following example, all versions and all file types of all files that begin with the word STAFF in the directory [JONES] are displayed:

$ TYPE [JONES]STAFF*.*;*

4.5.5 Displaying Multiple Files

If you specify more than one file in the TYPE command line, the system displays the files in the order you specify. If you use wildcard characters, the system displays the files in alphabetical order.

4.6 Deleting Files

The DELETE command removes files from directories and releases the disk space they occupy for use by other files. When you use the DELETE command, you must specify a version number or the asterisk (*) wildcard character as a version number in each file specification.

For example, to delete version 17 of the file POUND.LIS, enter the following command:

$ DELETE POUND.LIS;17

To delete versions 16 and 17 of the file POUND.LIS, enter the following command:

$ DELETE POUND.LIS;16,;17

To delete all versions of the file POUND.LIS, enter the following command:

$ DELETE POUND.LIS;*

When you delete many files with wildcard characters, you might want to confirm each deletion by using the /CONFIRM qualifier. Similarly, you might want to display the names of files as they are deleted. To do this, specify the /LOG qualifier with the DELETE command.

In the following example, the deletion of all the files in the subdirectory [JONES.LICENSES.DOG] is confirmed because the /CONFIRM qualifier is specified:

$ DELETE/CONFIRM *.*;* DISK1:[JONES.LICENSES.DOG]FEES.DAT;4, delete? [N]: Y DISK1:[JONES.LICENSES.DOG]FEMALE.LIS;6, delete? [N]: Y DISK1:[JONES.LICENSES.DOG]MALE.LIS;3, delete? [N]: N DISK1:[JONES.LICENSES.DOG]POUND.LIS;17, delete? [N]: Y

In the following example, the system displays the names of the files after they are deleted because the /LOG qualifier is specified:

$ DELETE/LOG *.LIS;* _%DELETE-I-FILDEL, DISK1:[JONES.LICENSES.DOG]FEMALE.LIS;6 deleted (35 blocks) _%DELETE-I-FILDEL, DISK1:[JONES.LICENSES.DOG]MALE.LIS;3 deleted (5 blocks) _%DELETE-I-FILDEL, DISK1:[JONES.LICENSES.DOG]POUND.LIS;17 deleted (9 blocks)

4.6.1 Using the PURGE Command

The PURGE command deletes all except the latest version of the specified file (or all files) in the default directory or any other specified directory. Purging old versions of files after updating them enables you to retain more free space on your disk.

In the following example, all except the latest two versions of each file in the default directory are purged:

$ PURGE/KEEP=2

4.7 Protecting Files from Other Users

The following sections provide an overview of file protection procedures. For detailed security information, see the following:

• Chapter 5 for information on directory protection
• Chapter 19 for complete information on changing file protections

To prevent other users from accessing your files, you can change the protection or modify the access control list (ACL) of your files. To change the protection or modify the ACL of a file, you must own the file, have control access to the file, or have GRPPRV, SYSPRV, BYPASS, or READALL privilege.

4.7.2 Types of Protection

There are two types of file protection: default and explicit. When a file is created, it usually has the same protections as its parent directory; this is the default protection. If you create a file using the CREATE/PROTECTION command or if you change the protection on an existing file by issuing the SET SECURITY/PROTECTION command, you are using explicit file protection.

Note that to protect a file completely, you must apply the same or greater protection to the directory in which the file resides.

4.8 Printing Files

To print a file or files, use the PRINT command. The PRINT command places your print job (all the files to be printed) in a list of jobs to be printed called a print queue. The file types of the files named in the PRINT command default to .LIS or the last explicitly named file type. The system displays the job name, the queue name, the job number, and status of the job.

By default, the job name is the name of the first (or only) file specification in the PRINT command. After a job is submitted to a queue, you reference it using the job number. After the job is queued, it will be printed when no other jobs precede it in the queue and when the printer is physically ready to print.

In the following example, a print job containing three files is placed in the default print queue, SYS$PRINT:

$ PRINT POUND,MALE,FEES.DAT Job POUND (queue SYS$PRINT, entry 202) started on SYS$PRINT

Because the default file type for the PRINT command is .LIS, the files POUND.LIS, MALE.LIS, and FEES.DAT are queued. The job name is POUND, the queue name is SYS$PRINT, and the job number is 202.

4.8.1 Print Job Priority

A print queue can execute only one job at a time. Print jobs are scheduled for printing according to their scheduling priority, and the job with the highest priority is printed first. If more than one job exists with the same priority, the smallest job is usually printed first. Jobs of equal size having the same priority are selected for printing according to their submission time. Priority may also be determined by the system manger or by entering the /PRIORITY qualifier to the PRINT command. For more information on scheduling priorities, see the OpenVMS System Manager's Manual.

4.8.2 Displaying Queue Information

The default print queue, SYS$PRINT, is usually started as part of the site-specific system startup procedure. The following table shows commands you can use to display information about queues:

To display...	Enter this command...
The queues at your site	SHOW QUEUE
The status of your print jobs	SHOW ENTRY
Jobs queued by other users	SHOW ENTRY/USERNAME= username
Information about a specific job or jobs	SHOW ENTRY job-name SHOW ENTRY entry-number

In the following example, the SHOW ENTRY command is used to display information about a print job that has been queued:

$ SHOW ENTRY Entry Jobname Username Blocks Status ----- ------- -------- ------ ------ 202 POUND JONES 38 Pending On stopped printer queue SYS$PRINT)

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