File shrank by 1356362240 bytes; padding with zeros

[Bill Campbell]

On Fri, Feb 23, 2007, Vu Pham wrote:
>I have a file that always gives me a backup error. 
>
>tar: u3/CCTMS/BTDL/OVER.30: File shrank by 1356362240 bytes; padding
>with zeros.
>
>This is the data file and it looks like it is ok. Everybody uses it
>everyday and they find no problem at all.

What type of file is this?  My guess is that it's a sparse file
which requires special handling.

Sparse files are those created by random access writes which may leave
holes where no data exists.  I think the original Unix dbm routines created
sparse files, and some other database files may well do the same.

Bill
--
INTERNET:   bill at Celestial.COM  Bill Campbell; Celestial Software LLC
URL: http://www.celestial.com/  PO Box 820; 6641 E. Mercer Way
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Democracy, n.:
	A government of the masses.  Authority derived through mass
meeting or any other form of direct expression.  Results in mobocracy.
Attitude toward property is communistic... negating property rights.
Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate,
whether it is based upon deliberation or governed by passion,
prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences.
Result is demagogism, license, agitation, discontent, anarchy.
		-- U. S. Army Training Manual No. 2000-25 (1928-1932),
		   since withdrawn.