  Seeking an introduction to magnetic tape use? 
 The Question is:
 
I'm very new to VMS
 
How can I read information backed up on a magnetic tape? Is there a command
for that? I want to see information stored on individual tapes.
 
And also, how would I change inormation on forms or create new ones?
 
HELP!
 
 
 The Answer is:
 
  The two commands most commonly used to transfer data to or from magnetic
  tape media are BACKUP and COPY.
 
  For archival storage and for interchange with other OpenVMS systems, the
  OpenVMS Wizard recommends BACKUP.
 
  Most magnetic tape has a structure based on ANSI tape labeling standards.
  ANSI labels are a set of predefined records written to the tape media,
  these records provide host operating systems with information on the
  contents and the structure of the data on the tape.  A program can be
  coded to write these ANSI records to the tape, or a system service such
  as sys$init_vol() can be used, or the INITIALIZE command can be used.
 
  Magnetic tape media can have a Files-11 structure layered onto the ANSI
  records, meaning that commands such as DIRECTORY and COPY will work.
 
  As a start:
 
    $ MOUNT/OVERRIDE=IDENTIFICATION mmcu:
    $ DIRECTORY mmcu:[000000]
    $ DISMOUNT/NOUNLOAD mmcu:
 
  Magnetic tape media can also have foreign-format structure.  BACKUP uses
  a foreign structure based on ANSI, as do various other utilities.  As
  OpenVMS can mount and access these tapes as "native" -- without using
  /FOREIGN -- COPY and DIRECTORY can be used to view the contents of these
  BACKUP tapes.  That said, BACKUP and /FOREIGN should be used to read and
  write these tapes.
 
  To list the contents of the first BACKUP saveset located on a tape:
 
    $ MOUNT/FOREIGN mmcu:
    $ BACKUP mmcu:/SAVE/LIST
    $ DISMOUNT/NOUNLOAD mmcu:
 
  There are also utilities that do not use ANSI labeling structure.  These
  are not accessable via COPY and such and must be mounted /FOREIGN.  The
  contents are not accessable save via the application(s) that wrote the
  data, or via tools such as DUMP.
 
  For details on tape operations, please see the _OpenVMS User's Manual_,
  _OpenVMS System Manager's Manual_, and _Guide to OpenVMS File Applications_
  These manuals are available in hardcopy and are also accessable at:
 
    http://www.openvms.digital.com:8000/
 
  Since you are new to OpenVMS, please take the time to read the OpenVMS
  User's Manual.  In the specific case of this question, please start with:
 
http://www.openvms.digital.com:8000/72final/6489/6489pro_028.html#devices_ch
 
  There are several different constructs refered to as "forms", ranging
  from printer forms to FMS forms to DECforms forms, to forms from other
  packages.  Additional details will be required.
 
