COS-310 System Utility Programs

This document provides an overview of various utility programs for the COS-310 operating system, covering development, debugging, file management, system maintenance, and report/flowchart generation.

Key utilities include:

• DIBOL Compiler (COMP): Translates DIBOL source code into binary programs, managing storage and generating compilation listings and storage maps. It supports conditional compilation and offers various output options.
• DIBOL Debugging Technique (DDT): A tool for debugging binary DIBOL programs, featuring breakpoints, variable inspection, subroutine traceback, and iteration.
• Cross Reference Program (CREF): Aids DIBOL program development by listing labels, their definitions, and references within source code.
• Peripheral Interchange Program (PIP): Handles file transfers between logical units, device copying, directory space consolidation, and binary scratch area allocation, with options for various file types (binary, data, source, system).
• Sort Program (SORT): Arranges records in fixed-length COS-310 data files based on defined keys and supports merging multiple sorted files using command files.
• File Exchange Program (FILEX): Facilitates file transfers between universal diskettes and COS-310 or OS/8 storage, supporting ASCII, IMAGE, and EBCDIC formats, along with diskette management functions like copy, delete, list, and zero.
• Patch Program (PATCH): Used for applying fixes (patches) to system programs or the Monitor via an interactive dialogue, allowing examination and modification of machine language instructions.
• Boot Program (BOOT): Bootstraps the system from a specified device, typically used when the system's primary boot device changes.
• Line Change Program (LINCHG): Temporarily adjusts the lines-per-page setting for printed output, specifically for printers without forms hardware.
• Format Programs (DKFMT, DYFMT): Initializes RK05 disks (DKFMT) and RX02 diskettes (DYFMT) by formatting them, which erases all existing data.
• Dump and Fix Technique (DAFT): An editor-like tool for data records, enabling users to search, examine, modify, and list records or parts of records within data files.
• Report Program Generator (PRINT): Creates DIBOL report programs based on a user-defined command file that specifies report structure, headings, input data, computations, and output formats.
• Flowchart Generator Program (FLOW): Produces flowcharts from input commands, outputting to a file and capable of generating cross-reference tables for labels.
• Menu Program (MENU): Provides a structured interface for selecting and executing commands from a predefined command file, enhancing orderly program execution.

Each utility's section details its operating procedures, command syntax, and associated error messages.