PROGRAM NAME:   tape  --  manipulate mag-tapes

PROGRAM AUTHOR:  Jim Besemer

DATE:  4-june-76

SYNOPSIS:

	% tape <unit> <command> <parameters>

DESCRIPTION:

  
  
  	<command>	<parameters>
  
  	skip		[<count>] [files|records] [forward|backward]
  	bksp		[<count>] [files|records]
	endfile		[<count>]
  	rewind
  	unload
  	<null>
  
  also recognized anywhere in a command:
  
  	status		print status after command
  	-556		set density to 556 bpi
  	-800		set density to 800 bpi
  	-800D		set density to 800 dump mode
  	-dump		set density to 800 dump mode
  	-1600		set density to 1600 bpi
  
  the following notes also apply:
  
  	--a missing <count> defaults to 1

  	--if direction is not specified, it is assumed to be "forward"

  	--"files" is assumed unless "records" is explicitly specified

  	--default parity, density  = odd, 800dump and rewind on close.
	  (these defaults are determined by the system, not this program.)

  	--most commands are uniquely recognizable by the first character
  	  or so, and may be abbreviated

	--The command's syntax is really more flexible than this documentation
  	  implies. The following examples will work (although it may be
	  confusing to remember them):
  
  		%tape 2 rewind
  		%tape rewind 2
  		%tape 2 skip 3 files forward	(skip forward 3 files on unit 2)
  		%tape skip 3 files 2 		(same as above)
  		%tape skip files 3 2		(same as above)
  		%tape skip 3 2 			(same as above)
		%tape forw fil 2 skip 3		(same as above)
  

BUGS:

1)  A peculiarity of the mag-tape hardware causes strange problems
    when backspacing past the beginning of tape.  The software
    makes sure that problems don't occur when backspacing files,
    but "tape 0 bksp 1000 records" when positioned at the BOT
    will hang the tape drives for about 1-minute.  If in doubt,
    rewind the tape and skip forward; that should always work.

