VMS Tar/Compression Behavior

[Paul Burkhardt]

I am trying to tarring and compressing a file that will be sent to another location (where it will be untarred and uncompressed). The file was originally created in variable length format with the longest record 356 bytes. The file contains both ascii and signed values (which might be the problem here). In any event, whenever I tar/compress and untar/uncompress it, I don't get the original records. Some are truncated. Any thoughts?

[Ian Miller.]

on what system are you unpacking the tar file?
What version of VMSTAR are you using?

[Paul Burkhardt]

I am using the VMS TAR V3.3-4 (Feb 4 2003) utility on an OpenVMS V7.1 platform. To make my job a little easier, I'm tarring/compressing and then untarring/compressing on the same machine.

[Arch_Muthiah]

Paul,

The latest version of TAR utulities
1. VMSTAR.EXE (ALPHA)and
2. VMSTAR.EXE (for VAX) is available in this HP link. Download it and it will work fine.

http://h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/freeware/freeware.html

I am not sure what version of Tar are you using. Anyway the link I attached has all kind of compression and decompression utility VAMTAR (for VAX, ALPHA), and UNZIP, ZIP and GZIP for VAX, Alpha, I64.


Archunan

[Steven Schweda]

As a file with a variable-length record format
probably won't make much sense on a non-VMS
system, I'll assume that the destination
system is VMS, too.

I doubt that VMSTAR can preserve the RMS
attributes of a file (like record format).

The Info-ZIP Zip and UnZip programs can. Use
the Zip "-V" option for this.

http://www.info-zip.org/

[Arch_Muthiah]

Hi Paul,

I have download and attached VMSTAR.ZIP file, this version is 3.4-1. You can use this VMS TAR after unzip it.

If you want you can download unzipped(vmstar.exe) from the link I mentioned earlier.

[Paul Burkhardt]

I'm noticing an intestesting feature here. I have data before and after a series of null characters. When I tar/compress and then uncompress & tar/extract, all data after the null fields are being dropped.

It've included a screen shot. Notice the difference in that last two lines that are displayed.

[Arch_Muthiah]

Paul,

I am wondering...seeing your file atatched.
Have you downloaded VMSTAR latest version v 3.4-1 from the link I mentioned?.

[Paul Burkhardt]

Archunan,

I apologize for the confusion. I am working in a VMS environment that is shared by multiple users and I don't have the privs. to download/install that code. I was hoping that someone had run into similar problems in the past.

[Steven Schweda]

I can't easily read a Microsoft Word
document, so I can't see about what you're
talking there.

> I was hoping that someone had run into
> similar problems in the past.

In my experience, VMS users use VMSTAR
primarily to unpack tar archives created on
non-VMS systems. Until someone shows me that
VMSTAR can preserve RMS file attributes, I'll
continue to believe that it's not a good tool
for general use on VMS, such as VMS-VMS file
exchange. If no one uses it that way, no one
is likely to have run into similar problems.

> I don't have the privs. to download/install
> that code.

Which privileges do you lack? You seem
to have some Internet access. All you
should need for installation is some disk
quota

As it's probably hopeless, whay are you
still playing with VMSTAR?

> 2. VMSTAR.EXE (for VAX) is available in this
> HP link. Download it and it will work fine.

Is this some new meaning of "work"?

[Steven Schweda]

My VMSTAR is only V3.4, not V3.4-1, but its
AAAREADME.TXT says:

- VMSTAR will extract files from archives as VMS rfm=stream_lf, rat=cr files,
except if new option `b' is specified. In this case, extracted files are
created as rfm=fixed, mrs=512, rat=none i.e. suitable for compressed files to
be decompressed using LZDCMP or for VMS images.

I don't see how to get a variable length
format out of that.

Or does the "-1" change everything?

This is why people don't use it for VMS-VMS
file exchange.

[Arch_Muthiah]

Hi Steven Schweda,

looks like you still try to use this forum as an ordinary internet forum where people keeps arguing/blaming/abusing/fighting each other.

You don't need to concentrate complaining other members response, and that too, by picking few splitted words out of complete sentence and arguing with others is not healthy for this forum.

> I am trying to tarring and compressing a > file that will be sent to another
> location (where it will be untarred and
> uncompressed).

and

> I am using the VMS TAR V3.3-4 (Feb 4 2003)
> utility on an OpenVMS V7.1 platform.

From the above statements (from Mr.Paul), I understood that he uses old VMSTAR version. So I provided the link (from HP website)where he can download the latest version of VMSTAR for .....

> 1. VMSTAR.EXE (ALPHA)and
> 2. VMSTAR.EXE (for VAX) is available in
> this HP link. Download it and it will
> work fine.

This is certainly the way of work with friends.

> Until someone shows me that VMSTAR can
> preserve RMS file attributes, I'll
> continue to believe that it's not a good
> tool for general use on VMS.

Mr.Paul has posted his question. But see your response to Paul, doesn't it look like irresponsible answer?. Or anyone forced you to use VMSTAR?

So my dear forum-friend Steven, understand that other members are not sitting idle to respond to your unrelated blamings.

Though everyone can not be thourough with this EVER GREAT OCEAN SIZE OOOOpen Ist Virtual OS, but there so many forum members here who are having great experience VMS and its internals.

I appreciate your extraordinary skills in Zip and Unzip!. Yes!!!!, because you have swept 60 points through one of the previous ZIP related question, that too 10 points for your each blaming answer.

The unfortunate thing here is that you never given point to any one who answered for your previous questions!!!!.

Try to give the points as others are spending their valuable time to answer to you.

[Steven Schweda]

Perhaps I'm missing something.

1. The original poster said that he was
trying to compress and move a variable length
format file using VMSTAR.

2. VMSTAR will change a variable length
format file into a Stream_LF format file.

Given (2), How will any suggestions involving
VMSTAR be helpful in any way? (Other than,
"Don't use it!", of course.)

Zip (-V) and UnZip can do this. BACKUP and
GZIP (or BZIP2) could also do this (with a
little extra work). Perhaps some more
complex scheme using FDL files could also be
made to work.

OP: "I'm trying to get to the Moon in my
model-T Ford"

AM: "A model-T?! You need a 2005 Ford
Mustang. I've attached one"

SS: "No, cars will never work. You need a
space ship."

AM: "That's an irresponsible answer."

SS: "Call me when you get there."

[Arch_Muthiah]

Paul,

I am for the inconvenience.

Archunan

[Arch_Muthiah]

Paul

I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Archunan

[Arch_Muthiah]

Paul,

As Mr. Steven Schweda keeps blaming me (not only here, but in other's posting too), I have been forced to respond to him.

> "I'm trying to get to the Moon in my
> model-T Ford"

Is this the one you posted? Are you trying to do this?.

I am wondering how come this ordinary TAR and ZIP question become MOON related issues?

Anyway, in my very first response, I just given a reference from our office HP website to download VMSTAR for VAX and Alpha.

> I am not sure what version of Tar are you > using. Anyway the link I attached has all > kind of compression and decompression
> utility VAMTAR (for VAX, ALPHA), and
> UNZIP, ZIP and GZIP for VAX, Alpha, I64.

Also, I did not pressure you to use only VMSTAR. For this purpose only I have given another link where you can download ZIP, UNZIP, and GZIP for VAX, Alpha and I64 in the same posting.

Then why our forum friend Mr.Steven Schweda blaming me that I am misguiding you to use VMSTAR.

Mr.Steven Schweda:
If you invented bugs in VMSTAR, why don't you logde a complaints in HP. Call your nearest HP office, complain about your invention and get the new ticket. Not only HP every vendor welcomes their customers complaints. And please ask them to remove this VMSTAR (MOON-FORD-SHIP advertisement) link from their website.

Archunan

[Paul Burkhardt]

Folks,

I just wanted to thank eveyone for their helpful contributions. I have obtained some valuable information.