Thanks, Dim, for responding to that awkward question.
More thinking out loud here (not requesting a response):
qqq Oct 35 put statistics (end-of-day):
date.......volume.....OI
10.1.......27083......266722
10.4.........2751......301126
10.5.........5870......313534
I observe that the open interest increases more than the daily volume (even if rolled to the following day). Thus, I must conclude that when a new contract is written, it does not necessarily show up as "volume."
Perhaps I need to find an options forum or a book. I really do hate books, unless they are well written.