VAX Software Handbook

This document is the VAX Software Handbook from 1982-83 by Digital Equipment Corporation. It serves as a comprehensive guide to the VAX/VMS operating system and its extensive software ecosystem.

The handbook covers:

1. Introduction to VAX Software: Provides an overview of the VAX 32-bit architecture, the VAX/VMS virtual memory operating system, user processes, memory management (including swapping and scheduling), system processes and services, I/O operations, real-time capabilities, communications services, programming languages, program development tools, and system management utilities.

2. The System User: Details how users interact with the VAX/VMS system, including system access, file management, logical names, and a general outline of program development procedures. It introduces the Digital Command Language (DCL) and terminal function keys.

3. Program Development: Describes in depth the tools and languages available for software development on VAX/VMS. This includes:

   • Digital Command Language (DCL): Format, command procedures, and a detailed listing of common DCL commands (e.g., ALLOCATE, ANALYZE, BACKUP, COPY, DELETE, DEBUG, DIRECTORY, PRINT, RUN, SET, SHOW).
   • Programming Support Facilities: Text editors (EDT, SOS, SLP), the linker (for creating executable, shareable, and system images), the VAX symbolic debugger (DEBUG), the VAX Run-Time Library (offering mathematical, resource allocation, utility, condition handling, and language-specific routines), VAX Sort/Merge, and the Document Formatting Facility (DSR). It also introduces the Optional Code Management System (DEC/CMS) for managing project files and modifications.
   • Programming Languages: Covers a wide array of high-level languages supported, including VAX-11 BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal, PL/I, C, BLISS-16, BLISS-32, CORAL 66, DSM (Digital Standard MUMPS), and MACRO (assembly language), along with PDP-11 compatibility compilers. It highlights the "VAX Common Language Environment" facilitating inter-language calls and shared resources.

4. Information Management: Explains the VAX information architecture and its components: VAX-11 DATATRIEVE (a multi-faceted data management and report writing facility), VAX-11 FMS (Forms Management System for interactive forms), the VAX-11 Common Data Dictionary (CDD) as a central repository for data definitions, VAX-11 RMS (Record Management Services for file handling), and VAX-11 DBMS (Database Management System for CODASYL-compliant database management).

5. Data Communications: Describes how VAX systems communicate with other computers, focusing on Digital Network Architecture (DNA), DECnet communication software for Digital-to-Digital networking (task-to-task, file transfer, resource sharing), Internet Products for connecting to other manufacturers' systems (e.g., IBM 2780/3780, 3271 emulators, MUX200/VAX), and Packetnet Products for public data networks (X.25 protocol).

6. VAX/VMS System Design and Application: Delves into the internal workings of VAX/VMS, including virtual memory and memory management details (page tables, paging algorithms, global sections for sharing), process scheduling and swapping algorithms (priorities, process states), special event handling (exceptions, condition handlers, Asynchronous System Traps - ASTs), and a detailed explanation of system services and I/O drivers.

7. Site Considerations: Provides guidance for system managers on tasks such as system startup, user account management, file and volume management, controlling system performance (using the MONITOR utility), and error handling (using the SYE utility and System Dump Analyzer). It also discusses PDP-11 compatibility, a key feature allowing most non-privileged RSX-11M/S tasks to run on VAX/VMS with minimal modification, protecting customer investments.

In essence, the handbook outlines how the VAX/VMS system provides a robust, flexible, and high-performance environment for diverse computing needs, from program development and data management to complex networking and system administration, with a strong emphasis on backward compatibility.