The routine makes a copy of an HDS object, placing the copy in a new container file (which is created), as the top-level object. The copying operation is recursive; i.e. all sub-components of a structure will also be copied.

CALL HDS_COPY( LOC, FILE, NAME, STATUS )

LOC = CHARACTER $\ast$ ( DAT__SZLOC ) (Given)

FILE = CHARACTER $\ast$ ( $\ast$ ) (Given)

NAME = CHARACTER $\ast$ ( $\ast$ ) (Given)

STATUS = INTEGER (Given and Returned)

• This routine attempts to eliminate unused space during the copying operation and is therefore a useful method of compressing a container file from which components have been deleted.

• The routine may be used to copy both primitive and structured objects, but cannot be used to make a copy of a cell or a slice.