VAX-11 RSX

This document is the "VAX-11 RSX Version 2.1 Release Notes," published in February 1986 by Digital Equipment Corporation. It provides specific information about this software release, which runs on VAX/VMS Version 4.2 and MicroVMS 4.2, and is intended for system users familiar with both VAX/VMS and RSX-11 operating systems.

The document is organized into three main sections:

1. New Features for VAX-11 RSX:

   • Terminal Driver Enhancements: Includes support for additional terminal characteristics and extended IO.ATA function capabilities (e.g., unsolicited input notification, parameter2 in ASTs).
   • RMS-11 Memory-Resident Library Support: Details the integration of RMSRES.EXE and RMSRES.STB for memory-resident library configuration and guidance on building RMS-11 applications for VAX-11 RSX.
   • Privileged Image Continuation: Describes how privileged images can now continue execution after a CTRL/Y interrupt by issuing CONTINUE or DEBUG commands.
   • Data Terminal Emulator (DTE) Support: Introduces DTE to allow communication from VAX/VMS to RSX-11M-PLUS or Micro/RSX systems, including invocation syntax and noted differences.
   • MCR Mode Messages: Explains the new informational messages displayed when entering and exiting MCR mode, indicating the subprocess name.

2. Modifications to Existing VAX-11 RSX Features:

   • MCR: Corrections to command qualifiers (e.g., /LOG_FILE no longer requires a file for SUBMIT) and command execution (e.g., preventing AME abortion on errors, fixing ATTACH command suspension, and clearer error messages for SPAWN).
   • System Directives: Fixes for GPRT$ (correct status word), SPWN$ (preventing subprocess suspension on terminal read), and ALUN$/ACHN$ (allowing reuse of LUNs after RMS-11 operations, correcting error codes for previously used devices).
   • Device Name Handling: Improved recognition of LUN reassignments and updated RSX-11 device mnemonics.
   • File Name Handling: Corrections to FCS .PARSE routine failures and proper version numbering for FCS created files.
   • RMS-11 Utilities: Numerous fixes for RMSIFL (e.g., handling logicals, extension quantity, alternate keys) and RMSRST (e.g., privilege violations, /SE: switch behavior, handling decimal version numbers), and RMSCNV corrections.
   • Task Builder: Updated behavior for partition specification with GPRT$.
   • Backup and Restore Utility (BRU): Introduction of the /UFD qualifier for creating User File Directories on Files-11 Structure Level 1 volumes.
   • SYSLIB: Definition of previously undefined symbols like A.JUMP and A.MODE.

3. VAX-11 RSX Version 2.1 Restrictions:

   • DCL: Notes issues with HELP and EDIT in MCR mode, complexities with aborting indirect command procedures, and limitations of SET TERMINAL/SHOW TERMINAL in indirect command files.
   • Device Name Handling: Restrictions on logical names used as RSX-11 device names.
   • QIOs on RMS-11 Assigned LUNs: Not permitted.
   • PIP: Limitations on specifying wildcard characters for directories on Files-11 Structure Level 2 disks.
   • LOGIN.CMD: Maximum nesting level of three for indirect command files.
   • System Generations: RSX-11 Sysgens and Netgens are only supported on Files-11 Structure Level 1 target or baseline disk volumes.
   • PDP-11 DATATRIEVE/VAX: An installation incompatibility with Version 3.1 is noted.
   • Undocumented Error Codes: Some VAX/VMS error codes cannot be translated to relevant RSX-11 error codes.
   • Invoking VMR: Requires manual building from RSX-11 components rather than direct copying.