HP OpenVMS Systems

Operation of SET FILE/NOBACKUP?

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The Question is:

 
I'd like to set all files in a TEST directory to /nobackup.  If the
following command is issued, will this do it or will it set only the
TEST.DIR file as /nobackup?
 
$ SET FILE/NOBACKUP DSA1:[000000]TEST.DIR;1
 
Or do I have to issue the following command so as to NOT backup all files in
the TEST directory??
 
$ SET FILE/NOBACKUP DSA1:[TEST...]*.*
 
I don't think the use of the /nobackup qualifier is sufficiently explained
in the documentation.  Thanks for your help.
 
 

The Answer is :

    The NOBACKUP attribute affects only the individual file is is set on.
    Thus the command:
 
    	$ SET FILE/NOBACKUP DSA1:[000000]TEST.DIR;1
 
    affects only the directory file itself, not its contents.
 
    In order to specify the NOBACKUP attribute on all files within the
    directory tree you would need to issue the command:
 
	$ SET FILE/NOBACKUP DSA1:[TEST...]*.*
 
    Note that the NOBACKUP attribute, does NOT prevent the file from being
    processed by BACKUP, it only prevents the CONTENTS of the file from
    being transferred to the backup media. From HELP:
 
>           Specifies that the Backup utility (BACKUP) records the contents
>           of the file. The /NOBACKUP qualifier causes BACKUP to record the
>           attributes of the file but not its contents. This qualifier is
>           valid only for Files-11 Structure On-Disk Level 2 files.
 
    So, regardless of NOBACKUP, these files would appear in any backup
    saveset, and would be created (empty but at their correct size) if such
    a saveset were restored.
 
    The intention of NOBACKUP is for files like PAGEFILE, SWAPFILE and
    DUMPFILE, which tend to be large, but whos contents are irrelevant.
    By avoiding copying the contents of the file we can backup the
    "presence" of the file without wasting time and tape on contents.
 
    Again, from HELP:
 
>           The /NOBACKUP qualifier is useful for saving files that contain
>           unimportant data, such as SWAPFILES.
 
    If you wish to totally ignore a set of files from a backup operation,
    you should use the /EXCLUDE qualifier. For example:
 
    $ BACKUP/VERIFY DSA1:[*...]*.*;*/EXCLUDE=[TEST...]*.*;* TAPE:DSA1.BCK/SAVE
 
    Finally, don't be too surprised if BACKUP continues to record the
    presence of directory files within the TEST subtree.
 

  

     

     
answer written or last revised on ( 16-JAN-2000 )
     
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