Transferring datastructures to and from FZ files

RZ are not in themselves transportable between computers, unless they are written in exchange format (which is the default for HEPDB RZ files). They may also be translated into FZ file format for transportation. This process is possible for a whole database, a directory sub-tree or a single database record. It is possible to store the validity information in the record headers or in a special start-of-run record.

The records are written to an FZ file using the routine HDBTOFZ, and may be read back into a database using the routine HDBFRFZ. It is also possible to store the contents of some other FZ file in a specified subdirectory using the routine HDBFRFZ. The routine HDBFZM can only used for FZ files which have been produced by the routines HDBEXTR or HDBMERG with the option X requested, because of the special FZ file organisation.