Ontape returning 0 even though the command failed

I am executing the informix ontape command for backup via the Python commands.getstatusoutput() function call. Example: (rc, op) = commands.getstatusoutput("source /source ; ontape -v -s -L 0 -t STDIO | /bin/gzip > /backup/ontape_backup.gz ") After executing the above function, the return code rc is 0 and the output message op is "Archive failed - ISAM error: An error has occurred during archive back up.” What I don't understand is why is it returning 0 even though the command failed. Is it something related to the behaviour of ontape command? What is the best way to find out whether the command has failed or not? Python version used is 2.6.6

Hi, I would guess you are getting the exit code from the gzip (which does not fail for the amount of data passing). Try using a BACKUP_FILTER/RESTORE_FILTER instead, which is set in onconfig and used internally. Best regards, Marcus Haarmann ----- Ursprüngliche Mail ----- Von: "KUSHWANTH RAM" <kushwanth7@gmail.com> An: ids@iiug.org Gesendet: Donnerstag, 26. März 2015 06:15:07 Betreff: Ontape returning 0 even though the command failed [34868] I am executing the informix ontape command for backup via the Python commands.getstatusoutput() function call. Example: (rc, op) = commands.getstatusoutput("source /source ; ontape -v -s -L 0 -t STDIO | /bin/gzip > /backup/ontape_backup.gz ") After executing the above function, the return code rc is 0 and the output message op is "Archive failed - ISAM error: An error has occurred during archive back up. What I don't understand is why is it returning 0 even though the command failed. Is it something related to the behaviour of ontape command? What is the best way to find out whether the command has failed or not? Python version used is 2.6.6 ******************************************************************************* Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum.

Because you are piping the output to gzip and the shell returns the return code of the last utility in the pipeline, not the first (ie ontape). Apparently gzip doesn't think it ezperienced an error if the input file/stream is empty. Art Art S. Kagel, President and Principal Consultant ASK Database Management www.askdbmgt.com Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/ Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves. On Thu, Mar 26, 2015 at 1:15 AM, KUSHWANTH RAM <kushwanth7@gmail.com> wrote: > I am executing the informix ontape command for backup via the Python > commands.getstatusoutput() function call. > > Example: > > (rc, op) = commands.getstatusoutput("source /source ; ontape -v -s -L 0 -t > STDIO | /bin/gzip > /backup/ontape_backup.gz > > ") > > After executing the above function, the return code rc is 0 and the output > message op is "Archive failed - ISAM error: An error has occurred during > archive back up. > > What I don't understand is why is it returning 0 even though the command > failed. > > Is it something related to the behaviour of ontape command? > > What is the best way to find out whether the command has failed or not? > > Python version used is 2.6.6 > > > > ******************************************************************************* > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > --089e011840381a618e05122e9f7a

Another solution would be: (rc, op) = commands.getstatusoutput("source /source ; ontape -v -s -L 0 -t STDIO | /bin/gzip ; exit ${PIPESTATUS[0]} > /backup/ontape_backup.gz")