dd return values...

[nkm]

Hi

I am trying to read a DAT tape using the dd command on Hp-Ux 11.

I wanted to know the return values for this command I have gone though the man pages and have found that if there is an error it returns >0 else 0.
What are the different return values for different error conditions. like end of tape or tape missing etc...
Is this documented anywhere.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

regards

 

[DSMARWAY]

Hi,

With dd you will normal get the error returned when the command is running , rather than just a prompt and you do an echo $? to get the return code .
SO you can run your command e.g.

dd if= ............ 2>/tmp/err.log

or if you do a trings on dd , errors listed are
dd: bad arg %s
dd: counts cannot be zero
dd: cannot open %s
dd: can't copy file onto itself
dd: cannot create %s
dd: %s: Not a valid input device when using files option
dd: not enough memory
dd read error
I/O error
I/O error
dd: invalid number specification in option
dd: %s Use a blocksize >= the logical block size %d

HTH

 

[hiwaycool]

To find specfic error info.. You may want to review the
error.h file in /usr/include directory.