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From: manager@usgcdh.uucp
Newsgroups: comp.misc,comp.os.vms
Subject: Re: how can I expand a tar file in VMS?
Message-ID: <317.269de2b1@usgcdh.uucp>
Date: 13 Jul 90 15:03:13 GMT
References: <1014@soleil.UUCP>
Organization: Computer Associates International
Lines: 36

In article <1014@soleil.UUCP>, stanton@soleil.UUCP (Rick Stanton) writes:
> I realize that this has been posted a million times but...

I look forward to the second million ;-)...

> I have a tar file that I need to expand on a VMS machine. Can I
> use VMS backup to do this? If so, what qualifiers do I need to
> use with my backup command? Otherwise, is there a utility that I
> may use besides backup to do this task? Maybe there is a way to 
> expand it on my SUN-4 and then ftp the resulting directory try
> to my VAX while retaining the directory structure?

VMS BACKUP will not read tar format.

Don't contemplate FTPing a directory tree unless you are a masochist (IMHO).

There are a number of programs written for VAX/VMS which are capable of reading
and writing tar format files and tapes. The best way to get one is to get a
VAX/L&T symposium SIG tape from your DECUS LUG. There are at least two
different programs on each SIG tape. The software also comes with the DECUS
UUCP software. Using a tar reader from these tapes, I have successfully
unpacked the entire Usenix '89 tape and the latest OSF/Motif tape, so it
definitely works. The biggest problem you might encounter would be files with
VMS-incompatible file names (e.g. 'y.tab.h' or 'foo#bar').

DECUS may be contacted at:

		DECUS
		219 Boston Post Road, BP02
		Marlboro, MA 01752-4605

Todd Aven
Manager, Small Systems
Computer Associates International

manager@cai.com   -or-  uupsi!usgcdh!manager