IBM CMS dumpfile idiocy

[Dave Wade]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Chuck
> Guzis
> Sent: 15 December 2015 06:21
> To: CCtalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
> Subject: IBM CMS dumpfile idiocy
> 
> Just finished reading a 9 track tape made with IBM CMS in its dumpfile
> format.
> 
> Why on earth--or might I say, what idiot--designed this format?  First the file
> data in a series of records, *then* the file name and other metadata.
> 
> Anyone know of a DOS/Windows/Unix utility to unravel one of these things?
> I don't feel too much like coding for a single tape.
> 
> --Chuck

The files are in the same format as on disk. The system just copies them back to disk. What size are the blocks as I have a "C" utility that will read the older smaller block size files.
You can always download Hercules and VM/370 ....

Dave