1.4.2 File modes usable by utilities

All HiRDB utilities use files as I/O files unless otherwise specified; the file mode is single-file, single-volume (utilities cannot handle any file larger than 263 bytes). Files on a network drive cannot be used as I/O files for utilities. Use files on local drives.

Some utilities can handle file modes other than single-file, single-volume. The table below lists the utilities that can handle I/O files other than single-file, single-volume files.

Table 1-3 Utilities that can handle I/O files other than single-file, single-volume files

UtilityFile typeSingle-file, multi-volume regular filesTape deviceHiRDB files
Database load utility (pdload)Input data files, LOB input files, LOB input files by columnCV#N
Database reorganization utility (pdrorg)Unload data files, LOB data unload filesC#C
-f hirdb
Database copy utility (pdcopy)Backup filesC
-k i
Database recovery utility (pdrstr)
Dictionary import/export utility (pdexp)Export filesNN
Legend:
C:
The files can be used. If a specification on the command line is required, the option is also shown; in such a case, all file-specific information must be specified in addition to the command options. For details about the options, see the explanations of the commands.
V:
Variable-length blocked mode can be used; DAT format can be used in the fixed-length blocked mode. The binary format cannot be used.
N:
Not supported.
#
Not supported in the 64-bit mode.
Organization of this subsection
(1) Tape devices
(2) HiRDB files

(1) Tape devices

The table below lists the tape devices supported by the utilities.

Table 1-4 Tape devices supported by the utilities

Device nameDirect input/output by the utilities
CMTN
DATY
OMTN
CGMTN
8mmN
DLTY
LTOY
Legend:
Y: Can be used.
N: Cannot be used.

When the utilities access the tape device for direct input/output, they assume a single volume and access the device as a single tape drive. They do not provide Autoloader or Tape Library control.

We recommend that you use the tape device in the variable-length blocked mode.

You can reduce the number of input/output operations in the variable-length blocked mode, in which the utilities input/output data in units of 32 kilobytes while they input/output data in units of 512 bytes in the fixed-length blocked mode. When using the fixed-length blocked mode, make sure that the block size is 512 bytes.

For details about each tape device, see the applicable OS manual.

If you use a tape device with pdrorg, pdload, or pdrstr, do not specify the device driver's minor number in such a manner that the tape will not be rewound during close processing. If you execute the utility without rewinding the tape, you must rewind the tape using a command such as mt (magnetic tape manipulation program) after the utility has terminated.

To save multiple backups on the same medium, use the utility to output the backups to files and then copy them onto the desired medium.

(2) HiRDB files

To use a HiRDB file as an I/O file, a HiRDB file system must first be created with the pdfmkfs command in which -k UTL is specified, and the appropriate option shown in Table 1-3 must be specified when the HiRDB utility is executed.

HiRDB utilities use HiRDB files in the following modes:

For details about HiRDB files, see the HiRDB Version 9 Installation and Design Guide.