[Bug-tar] Reading out the label (and _only_ the label)

[Wouter Verhelst]

Hi,

I'm creating a backup script that will create multi-volume archives
using GNU tar in a semi-interactive way (by (ab)using the -F option to
point to something that sends a mail to the operator and then waiting
for a certain specific file to disappear). Now in order to be sure that
the operator did not make a mistake and put a tape in the drive from an
archive that must not be overwritten (yet), I want to have this script
check the label that I've added to the archive using --label, and then
send out a second mail (with error message) if that doesn't look good
enough.

Unfortunately, the only non-destructive actions that I've found that
will make tar read out the label and/or exit with a status code if the
label isn't what I'm giving it, involve reading out the entire archive
from tape. Since these tapes are rather large and I'm not sure I'll find
the right label first time around, I'd rather avoid this if at all
possible.

Did I miss something, or should I ask you to consider this a feature
request for an option to read out _only_ the label?

-- 
Wouter Verhelst
NixSys BVBA
Louizastraat 14, 2800 Mechelen
T: +32 15 27 69 50 / F: +32 15 27 69 51 / M: +32 486 836 198