Frank writes:

> or, from posix, you can
>
> tape status {/dev/Stp0}

I can't:

   /SIELER/HFS: tape status {/dev/Stp0}
   tape: not found

I.e., there doesn't appear to be a program called "tape" on our 6.0 system.

Even if there is, I'd be surprised to find that it properly detects
if a tape is in the drive!

Bottom line: AFAIK, there's only *ONE* way to determine if a tape
is in the drive *RELIABLY*:  look at it.

The next best thing is the SYSDIAG/SCSIDDS solution.

The least accurate approach is the :SHOWDEV solution.
(Why?  Because if the tape was online and someone manually
ejects it, it will continue to show as online.  A DOWN/UP command
pair may cause it to no longer show as online.)

--
Stan Sieler                                          [log in to unmask]
                                     http://www.allegro.com/sieler.html