SDDFCONVERTER(1)   

NAME
       SDDFconverter - Convert SDDF file to another SDDF format

SYNOPSIS
       SDDFconverter

DESCRIPTION
       The  SDDFconverter  program  converts an SDDF data file to
       another SDDF format.  (Actually, it  can  also  write  the
       output  file in the same format as the input file although
       that is rarely done!)

       The program first prompts for the name of  an  input  SDDF
       file.   If  an  error  occurs,  the user is asked to enter
       another input SDDF file.  Otherwise, the input  SDDF  file
       is  opened  and  its  SDDF  format is displayed to stderr.
       Possible types are ASCII, Binary, and  Non-Native  Binary.
       Binary  indicates  the  input file can be read without any
       conversion on the system where the program is  being  run.
       Non-Native  Binary  indicates that some conversion must be
       performed in order to read the  file.   Conversions  might
       include  byte-swapping  and  those required due to differ-
       ences in the size of basic data types.

       SDDFconverter then asks for the format type of the  output
       file  --  ASCII, binary, or converted (reverse byte order)
       binary.  The format may be entered using  'a'  or  'A'  to
       select  ASCII, 'b' or 'B' to select binary, and 'c' or 'C'
       to selected converted binary.  Here, the converted  binary
       files  will have the same data characteristics as those of
       the machine where the program  is  run,  EXCEPT  the  byte
       order will be reversed.

       After  the  format has been successfully entered, the pro-
       gram prompts for the name of the output SDDF file.  If  an
       error occurs in opening the output file, the user is asked
       to enter another output file name.

       Finally, the program asks if diagnostic messages should be
       printed.   If  'Y'  is  selected,  information  about each
       record processed will be written to stdout as the file  is
       converted.   Generally  the  user will NOT want diagnostic
       output.
       If diagnostic output was not selected,  the  program  pro-
       ceeds  with  the conversion and produces no further output
       to stdout or stderr.

SEE ALSO
       FindSddfError(1)
       Ruth A. Aydt, The Pablo Self-Defining Data Format

COPYRIGHT
       Copyright  1994,  The  University  of  Illinois  Board  of
       Trustees.

AUTHOR
       Ruth A. Aydt, University of Illinois

Pablo Environment          Feb 9, 1996