"fst2dir" is an utility used to convert an RPN standard file into a directory and a myriad of data files. This utilty allows utilities like xrec to run on platforms where the RPN standard file software has not been exported, like Linux.
fst2dir -fst standard_file.fst
fst2dir -fst standard_file.fst produces
a directory standard_file.sdir
N data files having for structure
standard_file.NNNNN.sdat
So if standard_file.fst has 500 records the user will get
standard_file.sdir
standard_file.00000.sdat
standard_file.00001.sdat
standard_file.00002.sdat
standard_file.00003.sdat
...
standard_file.00498.sdat
standard_file.00499.sdat
The fields are written in the current working directory, although the source file does not need to be.
Depending upon the compaction used for storing the data in the standard file, expect an increase in disk space from 2-3 times that of the standard file, as the data files are not compacted.
If the file "standard_file.sdir" is lost then your data files are useless.
Yves Chartier, March 1999