VMS Help  —  COPY  /RECORDABLE_MEDIA, Qualifiers  /FORMAT
       /FORMAT[=keyword]
       /NOFORMAT (default)

    Requests that rewritable (RW) media be formatted or reformatted
    prior to use. This qualifier is required for writing to blank
    rewritable media or rewriting rewritable media.

    If the target media cannot be formatted, this command qualifier
    is ignored.

    If not specified, the appropriate keyword is automatically
    selected for the fastest formatting speed available for the
    target recording media.

    Keywords for the /FORMAT Qualifier lists available keywords.

    Keyword     Description

    WAIT        Applies to DVD+RW. The default for the /FORMAT
                qualifier is not to wait for the formatting to
                complete because waiting is usually unnecessary and
                far slower.

                Selecting WAIT causes the entire format to run
                synchronously to completion before beginning the
                recording operation.

                The default is to:

                o  Operate asynchronously

                o  Perform background formatting

                o  Run both the media format operation and the
                   recording operations concurrently

    ERASE       Applies to CD-RW.

                The default for the /FORMAT qualifier is to perform a
                quick erasure because a full erasure is usually both
                unnecessary and far slower.

                Selecting ERASE causes the CD-RW rewritable disk to
                be entirely erased as part of the format operation.
                This erasure is performed and is completed before the
                recording operation begins.

                The default is to perform a quick erasure.
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