format(1)                           CLIX                           format(1)



  NAME

    format - Formats floppy disks

  SYNOPSIS

    /etc/format [-wluf]

  FLAGS

    -l   Indicates low density.  (The default is high density.)

    -w   Disables the warning and prompt.

    -u   Changes the default drive from /dev/rdsk/fl to the 3.5-inch floppy
         device, /dev/rdsk/ufloppy.

    -f   Changes the default drive from /dev/rdsk/fl to the 5.25-inch floppy
         device, /dev/rdsk/floppy.

  DESCRIPTION

    The command format formats the floppy disk in the floppy drive.  This
    operation prepares the floppy disk for subsequent writes by any utility.

    The format operation consists of writing ID fields, gaps, and address
    marks for each block on the floppy disk.  This servo information is then
    used to identify tracks and sectors during read() and write() operations.

    The high density format provides 1.2M on the floppy disk (1.44M on a 3.5-
    in disk).  This type of format consists of 80 tracks with fifteen
    (eighteen) 512-byte sectors on each side of the floppy disk.  By default,
    format will use high density.

    The low density format provides 360K on the floppy disk (720K on a 3.5-in
    disk).  This type of format consists of 40 (80) tracks with nine 512-byte
    sectors on each side of the floppy disk.

  EXAMPLES

    The following command will format a high density floppy on the default
    drive.

    format


  FILES

    /dev/rdsk/fl   Default floppy device

  CAUTIONS



  2/94 - Intergraph Corporation                                              1

  format(1)                           CLIX                           format(1)



    All data on the floppy disk will be overwritten during a format operation.
    By default, a warning and prompt are displayed before the floppy is
    formatted.

  EXIT VALUES

    The format command returns a value of 0 if successful.  If unsuccessful,
    format returns a value of -1.

  RELATED INFORMATION

    Files: fl(7)










































  2                                              Intergraph Corporation - 2/94