VMS Purge

[AL MASS_1]

I am writing a daily com file and would like to purge files for a particular extension and only files older then 30 days. My assumption is that I would use the PURGE or DELETE and parse the creation date somehow. Does anyone have a recommendation or advice?

Al

[David B Sneddon]

Al,

$ delete file.type;/created/before=today-30-00:00

Regards
Dave

[John Gillings]

Al,
if there are multiple versions of the files, you will need to modify David's suggestion slightly:

$ delete file.type;*/created/before=today-30-00:00

I'd also suggest you "practice" with the DIRECTORY command first, just to make sure you're finding the right files:

$ DIRECTORY/DATE=CRE file.type;* /CREATED/BEFORE=TODAY-30-00:00

(handy that so many DCL utilities share the same qualifiers!)

[Jan van den Ende]

Al,

Welcome to VMS!

Like almost all VMS (DCL) commands:
Questions about what can be done, and what the exact syntax is, are splendidly answered by HELP

In your case:
HELP purge
and then, PURGE Subtopic: /SINCE (it is also quite educational to just go over the other qualifiers, and get a good impression of the various ways to steer to functionality in the direction that suits you best)

I think maybe HELP HELP is the best start.

Success


Jan

[AL MASS_1]

Wow! Thanks everyone!
Al

[Wim Van den Wyngaert]

I would use /modif instead of /create.

Wim

[Dan Herron]

Al,

We use
DELETE/LOG/CREATED/BEFORE=-32-00 file.ext;*

Using 32 instead of 30 ensures the file makes it on to our end of the month backup tapes since some months of the year have 31 days. We perform daily backups (of course!) but the daily backup from the last day of the month is sent offsite and not rotated back in for at least a year.

Moral of the Story: Make sure your DELETE policy is in tune with your BACKUP policy.

Good luck,
Dan Herron

[Ian Miller.]

Welcome to the forum - I'm sure you will find it helpful. Remember to award points to the people who have used their valuable time to answer your question.
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/helptips.do?#28

[AL MASS_1]

Thanks for all the great information. I appreciate everyone's input.

Al