1 FILE
FILE is a utility for modifying file attributes.

FILE DOES NOT convert a file.  FILE changes characteristics  of  the  file,
and  thus  VMS'  view  of  the  file.   FILE can be used simply to view the
current characteristics of a file, or it can be used to change any  of  the
changeable characteristics.  This utility can be VERY dangerous, and should
only be used if you have a good understanding of RMS.  Care should be taken
when using this utility.  While it doesn't actually change the file itself,
you might consider using a backup copy of the file.

The first thing you should do is to use FILE/OUTPUT=output  to  generate  a
listing  of the current characteristics of the file.  In this way, you will
be able to return the file to its original state.
2 Examples
One common use of FILE, is to 'coerce' a file into being a Fixed  512  byte
file, to upload/download the file via kermit.  For example, given a saveset
A.SAV, you could do the following:

FILE/OUTPUT=A.FIX A.SAV/RECORD_SIZE=512/TYPE=FIXED

You could then transfer the two files A.FIX  and  A.SAV  using  Kermit  (it
would  take two transfers, A.FIX with 'set file type text', and A.SAV using
'set file type fixed')

To turn the file back into its original useable self, you could then do:
     @A.FIX
Which would cause the originally saved characteristics to be  put  back  on
the file.


Another common use is to set the Fortran carriage control attribute so that
a  file  can  be printed with fortran carriage control, this can be done as
follows:

FILE/OUTPUT=OLD.TMP NETMONTH.*/ATTRIBUTES=(FORTRANCC,NOIMPLIEDCC,NOPRINTCC)
2 parameters
FILE takes one parameter, a filename, or list of filenames.  The  filenames
can be wildcarded.
2 qualifiers
/OUTPUT
     /OUTPUT[=filename]

This qualifier causes the characteristics of  the  file  to  be  displayed.
Note   that   if  you  are  also  changing  characteristics  the  displayed
characteristics are the original characteristics.  You can have the  output
placed  in a file, by specifying a file name in the OUTPUT clause.  This is
usefull for restoring a file to its original state.   Note  that  the  only
characteristic not displayed is the OWNER field.
/EXACT
     /[NO]EXACT

When used with /OUTPUT, this qualifier determines wether  a  complete  file
spec is displayed (/EXACT) or wether only the filename and filetype will be
displayed (/NOEXACT).

     /NOEXACT is the default.
/ATTRIBUTES
This qualifier determines the record attributes.  You may enter a  list  of
(negatable) attributes.  The following attributes are legal:
     FORTRANCC - Fortran carriage control
     IMPLIEDCC - implied carriage control
     PRINTCC - print file carriage control
     SPAN - records can span blocks
/CHARACTERISTICS
This qualifier determines the file characteristics.  You may enter  a  list
of (negatable) items.  The following items are legal:
     ACL_CORRUPT - File's ACL is corrupt
     BACKUP - File is to be backed up
     BEST_TRY_CONTIGUOUS - Keep file as contiguous as possible
     CHARGE - File space is charged against owner
     CONTIGUOUS - File is contiguous
     DIRECTORY - File is a directory
     ERASE_ON_DELETE - Erase contents of file before deletion
     FILE_CORRUPT - File contains bad blocks
     LOCKED - File is deaccess-locked
     MARKED_FOR_DELETE - File is marked for deletion
     READ_VERIFY - Verify all read operations
     SPOOL - File is an intermediate spool file
     WRITE_BACK - File may be write-back cached
     WRITE_VERIFY - Verify all write operations
Note that not all of these items are really changeable.   They  are  merely
included for completeness sake.
/PROTECTION
This qualifier determines the protection of  the  file.   A  protection  is
specified in the same manner as the SET FILE/PROTECTION command.
/OWNER
This qualifier determines the owner of the file.  Any valid UIC format will
be accepted.  There is no support for /OWNER=PARENT however.  This requires
privilege.  Note that no output is produced for the OWNER  field  when  you
use /OUTPUT.  I felt that this would be a hindrance to the general usage of
/OUTPUT.
/ORGANIZATION
This qualifier determines the file organization.  you must enter one of:
     DIRECT
     INDEXED
     RELATIVE
     SEQUENTIAL
/TYPE
This qualifier determines the record type.  you must enter one of:
     FIXED - fixed record type
     VARIABLE - variable record type
     VFC - variable + fixed control
     STREAM - RMS-11 (DEC traditional) stream format
     LFSTREAM - LF-terminated stream format
     CRSTREAM - CR-terminated stream format
     UNDEFINED - undefined record type
/BUCKET_SIZE
This qualifier determines the bucket size.
/DEFAULT_EXTEND_QUANTITY
This qualifier determines the default extend quantity.
/END_OF_FILE_BLOCK
This qualifier determines the end of file block.
/FIRST_FREE_BYTE
This qualifier determines the first free byte in the end of file block.
/HIGHEST_ALLOCATED_BLOCK
This qualifier determines the highest allocated block.
/GLOBAL_BUFFER_COUNT
This qualifier determines the global buffer count.
/JOURNAL
This qulifier determines the type of journaling enabled on the  file.   you
must enter one of:
     JOURNAL - this is a journal file
     AIJNL - enable after image journal
     ATJNL - enable audit trail journal
     BIJNL - enable before image journal
     RUJNL - enable recovery unit journal
     NEVER_RU - file is never accessible in recovery unit
     ONLY_RU - file is only accessible in recovery unit
        These are negatable.
/MAXIMUM_RECORD_SIZE
This qualifier determines the maximum record size.
/RECORD_SIZE
This qualifier determines the record size.
/DIRECTORY_VERSION_LIMIT
This qualifier allows you to set the default number of  allowable  versions
of  file.   This  is  applicable  only  to directories.  Note that 32767 is
equivalent to 0, or No Limit, so to say.

This is equivalent to SET DIRECTORY/VERSION=n.
/VERSION_LIMIT
This qualifier allows you to set the number  of  allowable  versions  of  a
file.  Note that 32767 is equivalent to 0, or No Limit, so to say.

This is equivalent to SET FILE/VERSION=n.
/VFC_SIZE
This qualifier allows you to set the vcf size.
/CREATION_DATE
  /[NO]CREATION_DATE

This qualifier allows you  to  set  the  creation  date.   /NOCREATION_DATE
clears the creation date.
/REVISION_DATE
  /[NO]REVISION_DATE

This qualifier allows you  to  set  the  revision  date.   /NOREVISION_DATE
clears the revision date.
/EXPIRATION_DATE
  /[NO]EXPIRATION_DATE

This qualifier allows you to set the expiration  date.   /NOEXPIRATION_DATE
clears the expiration date.
/BACKUP_DATE
  /[NO]BACKUP_DATE

This qualifier allows you to set the backup  date.   /NOBACKUP_DATE  clears
the backup date.
/NUMBER_OF_REVISIONS
This qualifier allows you to set the number of revisions.
