SCRATCH: file delete utility

Description

Allows the user to scratch a file, a library, selected files in a library, or selected libraries on a volume. Option to bypass expiration date checking.

Categories

Disk Management
System Operation

Related files

SCRATCH: Object file for program.

User Instructions

SCRATCH provides a method of quickly removing files or libraries from disks. It is considerably quicker than scratching files through the command processor. If desired, expiration dates can be bypassed.

To use, run the program and enter the location of the file to be scratched and press (RETURN) or press one of the following PF keys for other options:

Scratch a library (PF(01)): Enter the library and volume to be scratched and whether to exit after the operation (default: EXIT = NO). The program will return to this screen or exit, as desired.

Scratch selected libraries (PF(02): Enter the name of the volume where the library resides and press (RETURN). A screen will appear showing the libraries on that volume and the number of files in each library; type a non-blank character next to each library to be scratched. If expiration dates are to be bypassed, change the DATE option to YES (default = NO). The program will return to the VOLUME screen after completion.

Scratch selected files in a library (PF(03)): enter the library and volume and press (RETURN). A screen showing the files in the library will appear; type a non-blank character next to each library to be scratched. If expiration dates are to be bypassed, change the DATE option to YES (default = NO). The program will return to the LIBRARY screen after completion.

Programmer Instructions

The SCRATCH options to remove a single file or library have been superseded by similar options in Procedure language, and are of little use in production. The selective file or library options are of greater use, since they allow interactive review and selection and will optionally bypass expiration date checking.

GETPARM screens are used for the single file or single library options, and to select the libraries for the selected libraries option or the files for the selected files option. The selection screens must be reviewed interactively (no GETPARMs).

SCRATCH     Enter file name and location and press (RETURN)
            to scratch a file, or press PF(01) to scratch an
            entire library, PF(02) to scratch selected
            libraries on a volume, PF(03) to scratch selected
            files in a library, or PF(16) to exit.

  FILE      (blank)     The location of the file to be
  LIBRARY   (blank)     scratched.
  VOLUME    (blank)

  EXIT      NO          Set to YES to exit the program after
                        processing.

SCRATCH     Optional; PF(01) from previous SCRATCH screen.
            Enter the library and volume names and press
            (RETURN) to continue, or press PF(01) to scratch
            a single file, PF(02) to scratch selected
            libraries, PF(03) to scratch selected files, or
            PF(16) to exit.  (Note that this screen has the
            same PRNAME as its predecessor.)

  LIBRARY   (blank)     The location of the library to be
  VOLUME    (blank)     scratched.

  EXIT      NO          Set to YES to exit after processing.

VOLUME      Optional; (PF(02) from SCRATCH screen.  Enter the
            volume name and press (RETURN) to continue, or
            press PF(01) to scratch a single file, PF(03) to
            scratch selected files, or PF(16) to exit.

  VOLUME    (blank)     Volume to be examined.

LIBRARY     Optional; (PF(03) from SCRATCH screen.  Enter
            library and volume to be examined and press
            (RETURN) to display or press PF(01) to scratch a
            single file, PF(02) to scratch selected
            libraries, or PF(16) to exit.

  LIBRARY   (blank)     The name of the library to be
  VOLUME    (blank)     examined.

Example of use

Fastest means of scratching large amounts of files. Dangerous. Fun!

Comments

A good way to remove unnecessary files, but far too easy to use. Date bypass works only if the user is a Security Administrator.

Best left out of the hands of most users.