Change Tape File (CHGTAPF)

The Change Tape File (CHGTAPF) command changes the attributes of the specified tape device file.

Parameters

File (FILE)

Specifies the tape device file to be changed.

This is a required parameter.

Qualifier 1: File

name

Specify the name of the tape device file.

Qualifier 2: Library

*LIBL

All libraries in the library list for the current thread are searched until the first match is found.

*CURLIB

The current library for the job is used to locate the tape device file. If no library is specified as the current library for the job, QGPL is used.

name

Specify the library name where the tape device file is located.

Device (DEV)

Specifies the names of one or more tape devices, one virtual tape device, or one media library device used with this device file to perform input/output data operations. A media library device is a tape storage device that contains one or more tape drives, tape cartridges, and a part (carriage and picker assembly) for moving tape media between the cartridge storage slots and the tape drives.

Single values

*SAME

The device name (if any) does not change.

*NONE

No device names are specified. They must be supplied later on an Override Tape File (OVRTAPF) command, on another Change Tape file (CHGTAPF) command, or when the tape device file is opened.

Other values (up to 4 repetitions)

name

Specify the names of up to 4 tape devices, one virtual tape device, or the name of one media library device used with this tape device file. The order in which the device names are specified here is the order in which tapes on the devices are processed. When more volumes are processed than the number of devices in the DEV list, the devices are used in the same order specified, wrapping around to the first device as needed. Each device name must be known on the system by a device description before this device file is created.

Volume identifier (VOL)

Specifies one or more volume identifiers used by the file. The tapes (volumes) must be placed in the devices in the same order as the identifiers are specified in the device file used with the device specified for the Tape device (DEV) parameter. If the file is opened for being read backward, the volume identifiers in the list are processed from last to first, while the devices in the device list are used in first to last order.

Single values

*SAME

The volume identifiers do not change.

*NONE

No tape volume identifiers are specified for this file. They can be supplied before the device file is opened, either in the Change Tape File (CHGTAPF) command, the Override Tape File (OVRTAPF) command, or in the high-level language program.

Other values (up to 50 repetitions)

character-value

Specify the identifiers of one or more volumes in the order in which they are processed, placed in the devices, and used by this device file. Each identifier can have six or fewer alphanumeric characters. The maximum number of reels processed for an *NL, *LTM, *NS, or *BLP input file is determined by the number of volume identifiers in the list.

Tape reels specifications (REELS)

Specifies the type of labeling used on the tape reels and the maximum number of reels that can be processed, if no list of volume identifiers is specified for the Volume identifier (VOL) parameter and this device file is used with either *NL, *LTM, *NS, or *BLP input files.

When the number of reels is specified, the volume identifiers on the tapes are ignored if labeled tapes are being processed. The order in which the reels is arranged within the volumes must be checked by the operator.

The number of reels value (the second part of this parameter) is not a limiting value for standard-labeled output files. For a standard-labeled input file, the data file labels limit the number of volumes that can be processed by indicating end-of-file. For an output file, the maximum number of reels value is ignored. The system requests that additional volumes be placed in the device until the output file is closed.

Note: The values *SL, *NL, and *LTM can be specified if the device file is used for either reading from or writing to tapes. The values *NS and *BLP are valid only if the device file is used to read from tapes.

Element 1: Label processing type

*SAME

The type of volume (tape) and tape file labeling does not change.

*SL

The volumes (tapes) have standard labels. The volume identifiers are ignored. Instead, the number-of-reels value is checked.

*NL

The volumes (tapes) have no labels. On a nonlabeled volume, tape markers are used to indicate the beginning and end of the volume and each data file on it.

*NS

The volumes (tapes) have nonstandard labels. The load point on the tape may be immediately followed by an optional beginning-of-tape marker and some kind of volume and file information, but these are ignored. Only a single data file can exist on a nonstandard tape.

*BLP

Standard label processing is bypassed. Each reel must have standard labels. Although each reel is checked for a standard volume label and each file must have at least one standard header label (HDR1) and one standard trailer label (EOV1 or EOF1), most other label information (such as the data file record length or block length) is ignored. The sequence number of each file on the volume is determined only by the number of tape marks between it and the beginning of the tape. Bypass label processing can be used when some file label information is incorrect.

*LTM

The volumes have no labels, but they do have a single leading tape marker before the first data file.

Element 2: Number of reels

*SAME

The number of reels does not change.

1-255

Specify the maximum number of reels that are processed for a *NL, *LTM, *NS, or *BLP input tape operation when a list of volume identifiers is not specified. The number-of-reels value is ignored for a standard label (*SL) file or for any output file.

Sequence number (SEQNBR)

Specifies the file sequence number of the data file on the tape that is being processed. When standard-labeled tapes are used, the four-position file sequence number is read from the first header label of the data file. When bypass label processing is used or when standard-labeled tapes are not used, the system uses the tape marks and the value specified (or assumed) by this parameter to locate the correct data file being processed.

*SAME

The file sequence number does not change.

*END

The file is written to the end of the tape. This value can only be specified in tape files that are used to write to tape. An error message is issued when a tape file is used to read from a tape and *END was specified in the tape file.

*NEXT

The next file on the tape is processed. If the tape is currently positioned prior to the first file, the first file on the tape is processed. This value can only be specified in tape files being used to read from tape. An error message is issued when a tape file is used to write to a tape and *NEXT was specified in the tape file.

1-16777215

Specify the file sequence number of the file being processed on this tape.

Tape label (LABEL)

Specifies the data file identifier of the data file that is being processed by this tape device file. The data file identifier is defined only for standard-labeled tapes and is stored in the header label immediately before the data file that the header describes.

*SAME

The data file identifier does not change.

*NONE

The data file identifier is not specified.

character-value

Specify the identifier of the data file being used with this tape device file. If this identifier is for a tape that is written in the basic exchange format, and it is being used on a system other than a IBM i, a maximum of 8 characters is used or a qualified identifier having no more than 8 characters per qualifier should be used. Otherwise, a maximum of 17 alphanumeric characters can be used.

Text 'description' (TEXT)

Specifies text that describes the tape device file.

*SAME

The text (if any) does not change.

*BLANK

No text is specified.

character-value

Specify no more than 50 characters of text, enclosed in apostrophes.

Record length (RCDLEN)

Specifies the length (in bytes) of the records contained in the data file being processed with this device file.

*SAME

The record length does not change.

*CALC

No record length is specified for the data file being processed. If *CALC is specified, the system attempts to calculate an appropriate record length when the file is opened.

integer

Specify a value ranging from 1 through 32767 bytes that specifies the length of each record in the data file being processed. The minimum and maximum record length allowed for a file depends on the record block format, block length, buffer offset (for an ASCII file), and recording code.

RCDFBLKFMT     FILETYPE(*DATA)   FILETYPE(*SRC)
----------     ---------------   --------------
*F *FB *U      18 - 32767        30 - 32767
*V *VB         1 - 32759         13 - 32767
*VS *VBS       1 - 32759         13 - 32767

RCDFBLKFMT     FILETYPE(*DATA)   FILETYPE(*SRC)
----------     ---------------   --------------
*F *FB *U      18 - 32767        30 - 32767
*D *DB         1 - 9995          13 - 10007
*VS *VBS       1 - 32759         13 - 32767

Block length (BLKLEN)

Specifies the maximum length (in bytes) of data blocks being moved to or from the tape for output or input operations.

*SAME

The data block length does not change.

*CALC

No data block length is specified for the data file being processed. If *CALC is specified, the system attempts to calculate an appropriate block length when the file is opened.

1-524288

Specify the maximum length of each block in the data file to be processed. The minimum block length that can be successfully processing is determined by the tape device hardware and IBM i machine support functions.

The maximum block length is always 524288 bytes for an input file, but is limited to 9999 bytes if block descriptors must be created for an ASCII output file.

The following table shows the minimum and maximum block length values allowed for an output file:

CODE        BUFOFSET    MIN BLKLEN   MAX BLKLEN
--------    --------    ----------   ----------
*EBCDIC     Ignored         18         524288
*ASCII      0               18         524288
*ASCII      *BLKDSC         18         9999

Buffer offset (BUFOFSET)

Specifies the buffer offset value for the start of the first record in each block in the tape data file. A buffer offset value can be used for any record block format for an ASCII file, and it is ignored for an EBCDIC tape file. This parameter is not needed for a standard-labeled file processed for input if the tape includes a second file header label (HDR2) that contains the buffer offset value.

A buffer offset must be provided by the Create Tape File (CRTTAPF) command, the Change Tape File (CHGTAPF) command, the Override with Tape File (OVRTAPF) command, or by the file labels for an input file that contain any information (such as a block descriptor) ahead of the first record in each block. If you do not specify a buffer offset when a tape file is created, it is not necessary to specify an offset value when the file is read. The only buffer offset values allowed for an output file are zero and *BLKDSC.

*SAME

The buffer offset value does not change.

*BLKDSC

Block descriptors 4-bytes in length are created in tape files created by using this device file. Input files that are read by using this device file assume 4-bytes of buffer offset information preceding the first record in each data block.

0-99

Specify the length of the buffer offset information that precedes the first record in each data block.

Record block format (RCDBLKFMT)

Specifies the blocking attribute and type of records in the tape data file being processed. Record block format *V and *VB records can only be processed for an EBCDIC file; *D and *DB records can only be processed for an ASCII file.

*SAME

The record block format does not change.

*FB

Constant length, blocked, unspanned records in either EBCDIC or ASCII code are processed. The system may change this record block format to *F, based on other file parameters.

*F

Constant length, deblocked, unspanned records in either EBCDIC or ASCII code are processed. The system may change this record block format to *FB, based on other file parameters.

*V

Variable length, deblocked, unspanned records in EBCDIC type V format are processed. The system may change this record block format to *VB, *D, or *DB, based on other file parameters.

*VB

Variable length, blocked, unspanned records in EBCDIC type V format are processed. The system may change this record block format to *DB, based on the volume code.

*D

Variable length, deblocked, unspanned records in ASCII type D format are processed. The system may change this record block format to *DB, *V, or *VB, based on other file parameters.

*DB

Variable length, blocked, unspanned records in ASCII type D format are processed. The system may change this record block format to *VB, based on the volume code.

*VS

Variable length, deblocked, spanned records in either EBCDIC or ASCII code are processed. The system may change this record block format to *VBS, based on other file parameters.

*VBS

Variable length, blocked, spanned records in either EBCDIC or ASCII code are processed. Note that the representation of spanned records on the tape is different for EBCDIC and ASCII files, but the system selects the correct format based on the file code.

*U

Undefined format records in either EBCDIC or ASCII code are processed. *U records are processed as variable length records, and each record being written or read is in a separate tape block. This format is useful for processing tape files that do not meet the formatting requirements of any other record block format.

CODE         RCDBLKFMT    BLKLEN1
==========   =========    ===================
*EBCDIC      *F *U        = RCDLEN
*ASCII       *F *U        = RCDLEN + BUFOFSET
----------   ---------    --------------------
*EBCDIC      *FB          = RCDLEN * n
*ASCII       *FB          = (RCDLEN * n) + BUFOFSET
                          (where n is the number
                           of records in a
                           maximum-length block)
----------   ---------    --------------------
*EBCDIC      *V           = RCDLEN * 8
*ASCII       *D           = RCDLEN * 4 + BUFOFSET
----------   ---------    --------------------
*EBCDIC      *VB          >= RCDLEN + 8
*ASCII       *DB          >= RCDLEN + 4 + BUFOFSET
----------   ---------    --------------------
*EBCDIC      *VS *VBS     >= 18
*ASCII       *BS *VBS     >= 6 + BUFOFSET (18 minimum)
----------   ---------    --------------------
NOTE: Block length (BLKLEN) is a function of
record length (RCDLEN) and buffer offset (BUFOFSET).

Extend file (EXTEND)

Specifies, for output operations to tape, whether new records are added to the end of a data file that is currently on the tape. The specific data file is identified by the SEQNBR parameter and, for a standard-label file, the LABEL parameter. If the data file is extended, it becomes the last file on the tape volume; data files that follow it are overwritten as the specified file is extended.

Note: This parameter is not valid for 1/4-inch cartridge tape devices.

*SAME

The value does not change.

*NO

Records are not added to the end of the specified data file on tape.

*YES

New records are added to the end of the specified data file on tape.

*NOCHECK

The file is extended without checking to determine whether it is active.

*CHECK

Before the file is extended, a check is made to determine whether it is active.

Tape density (DENSITY)

Specifies the density of the data that is written on the tape volume when this device file is used. This parameter is used only for tapes written as nonlabeled volumes (*NL); it is not valid unless the first data file is being written on the nonlabeled volume. The density of a standard-labeled volume is specified on the Initialize Tape (INZTAP) command, which initializes tapes as standard-labeled volumes by writing volume labels on them. If a labeled or nonlabeled output file is written with a density different than the density specified by this parameter, a warning message is sent.

*SAME

The data density does not change.

*DEVTYPE

The highest capacity density or format supported by the tape device will be used.

Device

Highest capacity density or format

3490E

*FMT3490E

3570-Bxx

*FMT3570

3570-Cxx

*FMT3570E

3580-001

*ULTRIUM1

3580-002

*ULTRIUM2

3580-003

*ULTRIUM3

3580-004

*ULTRIUM4

3580-005

*ULTRIUM5

3580-006

*ULTRIUM6

3590-Bxx

*FMT3590

3590-Exx

*FMT3590E

3590-Hxx

*FMT3590H

3592-E05

*FMT3592A2

3592-E06

*FMT3592A3

3592-E07

*FMT3592A4

3592-J1A

*FMT3592A1

4685-001

*VXA2

5619

*DAT160

5661

*DAT320

5746

*ULTRIUM4

5755

*ULTRIUM2

5907

*DAT72

6258

*DAT72

6279

*VXA3

6380

*QIC2GB

6381

*QIC2DC

6382

*QIC4DC

6383

*QIC5010

6384

*SLR60

6386

*MLR3

6387

*SLR100

63B0

*VRT256K

7207-122

*QIC4DC

7208-012

*FMT5GB

7208-222

*FMT7GB

7208-342

*FMT20GB

7208-345

*FMT60GB

9348

6250

Data compaction (COMPACT)

Specifies whether device data compaction is performed. If the tape devices being used do not support data compaction, this parameter will be ignored when the file is opened.

*SAME

The value does not change.

*DEVD

Device data compaction is performed if the devices being used support data compaction.

*NO

Device data compaction is not performed.

Code (CODE)

Specifies the type of character code used when tape data is read or written by a job that uses this tape device file.

*SAME

The type of character code does not change.

*EBCDIC

The EBCDIC character code is used.

*ASCII

The ASCII character code is used.

Creation date (CRTDATE)

Specifies, for tape input data files and for tape output for which *YES is specified for the Extend file (EXTEND) parameter, the date when the data file was created (written on tape).

*SAME

The creation date does not change.

*NONE

The creation date is not specified. It is not checked unless it is supplied in the Override with Tape File (OVRTAPF) command or in the high-level language program.

date

Specify the creation date of the data file being used by this device file. The date must be specified in the job date format and, if separators are used, using the job date separator character.

File expiration date (EXPDATE)

Specifies, for tape output data files only, the expiration date of the data file used by this device file. If an expiration date is specified for any type of label processing other than *SL, it is ignored. The data file is protected and cannot be written over until the specified expiration date.

*SAME

The expiration date does not change.

*NONE

No expiration date for the data file is specified. The file is not protected.

*PERM

The data file is protected permanently. The date written on the tape is 999999.

date

Specify the date on which, and beyond which, the data file is no longer protected.

End of tape option (ENDOPT)

Specifies the operation that is automatically performed on the tape volume after the operation ends. If more than one volume is included, this parameter applies only to the last tape volume used; all other tape volumes are rewound and unloaded when the end of the tape is reached.

*SAME

The value does not change.

*REWIND

The tape is rewound, but not unloaded.

*UNLOAD

The tape is automatically rewound and unloaded after the operation ends.

*LEAVE

The tape does not rewind or unload after the operation ends. It remains at the current position on the tape drive.

User label program (USRLBLPGM)

Specifies the user program that processes user tape labels. On an output file, the user tape label program passes the user tape labels that are written to tape. On an input file, the user tape labels are passed to the user label program.

Single values

*SAME

The user label program name does not change.

*NONE

There is no user label program for this device file.

Qualifier 1: User label program

name

Specify the name of the user program that processes the user tape labels.

Qualifier 2: Library

*LIBL

All libraries in the library list for the current thread are searched until the first match is found.

*CURLIB

The current library for the thread is searched. If no library is specified as the current library for the thread, the QGPL library is searched.

name

Specify the name of the library to be searched.

User specified DBCS data (IGCDTA)

Specifies whether the file processes double-byte character set (DBCS) data.

*SAME

The IGCDTA value does not change.

*NO

The file does not process double-byte character set (DBCS) data.

*YES

The file processes double-byte character set (DBCS) data.

Maximum file wait time (WAITFILE)

Specifies the number of seconds that the program waits for the file resources to be allocated when the file is opened. If the file resources cannot be allocated within the specified wait time, an error message is sent to the program.

*SAME

The wait time does not change.

*IMMED

The program does not wait. Immediate allocation of file resources is required.

*CLS

The job default wait time is used as the wait time for the file resources to be allocated.

1-32767

Specify the number of seconds to wait for file resources to be allocated.

Share open data path (SHARE)

Specifies whether the open data path (ODP) is shared with other programs in the same routing step. When an ODP is shared, the programs accessing the file share facilities such as the file status and the buffer.

*SAME

The value does not change.

*NO

The ODP is not shared with other programs in the routing step. A new ODP for the file is created and used every time a program opens the file.

*YES

The same ODP is shared with each program in the job that also specifies *YES when it opens the file.

Examples

Example 1: Changing the Tape File Description

CHGTAPF   FILE(TAPE01)  LABEL(TUESDAY)

This command changes the description of the tape device file named TAPE01. The LABEL parameter now contains the data file identifier TUESDAY.

Example 2: Enabling a Tape File to Process DBCS Data

CHGTAPF   FILE(IGCLIB/IGCTAP)  IGCDTA(*YES)

This command changes the tape file IGCTAP, which is stored in the library IGCLIB, so that the file processes double-byte character set data.

Error messages

*ESCAPE Messages

CPF7304

File &1 in &2 not changed.