=head1 SYNOPSIS
-B<rrdtool> B<dump> I<filename.rrd> E<gt> I<filename.xml>
+B<rrdtool> B<dump> I<filename.rrd> E<gt> I<filename.xml>
+
+or
+
+B<rrdtool> B<dump> I<filename.rrd> I<filename.xml>
=head1 DESCRIPTION
-The B<dump> function prints the contents of an B<RRD> in human
-readable (?) XML format. This format can be read by rrdrestore.
-Together they allow you to transfer your files from one architecture
-to another as well as manipulating the contents of an B<RRD> file in a
-somewhat more convenient manner.
+The B<dump> function writes the contents of an B<RRD> in human
+readable (?) XML format to a file or to stdout. This format can
+be read by rrdrestore. Together they allow you to transfer your
+files from one computer architecture to another as well to
+manipulate the contents of an B<RRD> file in a somewhat more
+convenient manner.
The name of the B<RRD> you want to dump.
+=item I<filename.xml>
+
+The (optional) filename that you want to write the XML output to.
+If not specified, the XML will be printed to stdout.
+
=back
=head1 EXAMPLES
On the same system where the RRD was created, use B<rrdtool> B<dump>
to export the data to XML format.
-=item 2.
+=item 2.
-Transfer the XML dump to the target system
+Transfer the XML dump to the target system.
=item 3.
-Run B<rrdtool> B<restore> to create a new RRD from the XML dump. See
+Run B<rrdtool> B<restore> to create a new RRD from the XML dump. See
B<rrdrestore> for details.
=back
=head1 AUTHOR
-Tobias Oetiker E<lt>oetiker@ee.ethz.chE<gt>
+Tobias Oetiker E<lt>tobi@oetiker.chE<gt>