TAR2VMS is a program to extract files from a tar format tape or file 
 into a VMS system. It is public domain software available from 
 DECUS.

 Major features:

 1.  It reads from either a tape or a file image of a tar tape.
 2.  It transfers files as is.
 3.  When file names are modified to suit VMS requirements, a message
     is given on stdout.
 4.  UNIX "linked" files are handled.
 
 You must have a foreign command already defined. Type
 
   $ SH SYM TAR2VMS

 to see whether it is defined or not.

 Usage instructions:

 1. You must define the logical variable "TAPE" to be the desired file
    containing the tar data, as follows:

    $ DEFINE TAPE filename

 2. Set the default directory below which the tree will be created 
    before calling the program. Thus, if   your  default  directory  is
    SYS$SYSDEVICE:[MYDIRE], the file "electric/dbase.c" will be written 
    in SYS$DEVICE:[MYDIRE.ELECTRIC]DBASE.C

 3. Run TAR2VMS. You must issue the foreign command with options. 

 3.1 To list the contents of the tar file

    $ TAR2VMS t

 3.2 To extract all of the files, reporting (verbose mode)

    $ TAR2VMS xv

    The listing reports the UNIX protection  (in  octal), the file size 
    in bytes, the modification date on the tape, and the file name.

 Errors (most probable causes):

      "Can't open input file" - likely forgot to define TAPE

      "Error reading input"   - unexpected tar format, or bad file.

      "Error writing output"  - directory access error

      "Creation Error..."     - illegal directory or file name