🚀 go-pugleaf

   One of our clients noted that the WAIT option on the VMTAPE MOUNT
command doesn't allow for a timeout value.  The WAITTAPE module that
we currently use (and was written years ago) does.  Hence, converting
over to the WAIT option (and allowing us to de-support another inhouse
product) means loosing the ability to act upon a no-tape-mounted
condition.

   I see the client's point but am curious to know if we are alone in
thinking VMTAPE should provide this.  If the WAIT option allowed a
timeout value to be specified, the basic method of doing things within
an exec might look something like:

     /* */
     'EXEC VMTAPE MOUNT SCRATCH ( WAIT 30'          /* wait 30 mins */
     if rc = 0 then            /* we got the tape within 30 minutes */
        do
          <the regular tape processing>
        end
     else     /* no tape in 30 minutes so go into the error routine */
        do
          <a bunch of stuff, notify God, etc., etc.>
        end
                 /* Please, no flames about my REXX code!!! */

   Does anybody else think that the ability to specify a timeout on
the WAIT option would be a valuable addition to VMTAPE's MOUNT command
or is UCSF the only place where one has problems getting a tape
mounted on weekends?

                                      - Ed Rovera
                                         UCSF ITS Division
                                         415-476-3119
                                        Internet: EJR9006@UCSFVM.ucsf.edu
                                        Bitnet:   EJR9006@UCSFVM
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