<refentry id="format">
<refnamediv>
<refname>FORMAT</refname>
<refpurpose>Initialize disk media</refpurpose>
</refnamediv>

<refsynopsisdiv>
<cmdsynopsis>
<command>format</command>
<arg choice="plain">
  <replaceable>devname</replaceable>
</arg>
</cmdsynopsis>
</refsynopsisdiv>

<refsect1><title>Description</title>
<para>
This command is used to physically initialize, verify, and establish
an initial file structure on a disk. All disks must be formatted
before they can be used on an NitrOS-9 system.
</para>
<para>
NOTE: If the diskette is to be used as a system disk, <command>OS9gen</command> or
<command>cobbler</command> must be run to create the bootstrap after the disk has
been formatted.
</para>
<para>

The formatting process works as follows:
</para>

<orderedlist  numeration="arabic">
<listitem>
<para>
The disk surface is physically initialized and sectored.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Each sector is read back and verified. If the sector fails to
verify after several attempts, the offending sector is excluded from
the initial free space on the disk. As the verification is
performed, track numbers are displayed on the standard output
device.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
The disk allocation map, root directory, and identification sector are written
to the first few sectors of track zero. These
sectors <emphasis>cannot</emphasis> be defective.
</para>
</listitem>
</orderedlist>
<para>
<command>Format</command> will prompt for a disk volume name, which can be up to 32
characters long and may include spaces or punctuation. This name
can later be displayed using the FREE command.
</para>
<para>
For more information see: <xref linkend="sec3.10"/>
</para>
</refsect1>
</refentry>