PS/8OS/8 - OS/12 NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY-MARCH 1973

This newsletter (February-March 1973, issue #6) provides updates on DEC software releases, a recap of the Fall '72 DECUS Symposium, lists new programs available through DECUS, describes work in progress, outlines a "wish-list" of needed improvements, and shares tips and bug reports.

Key highlights include:

• New Releases from DEC: OS/8 Version 2, BATCH (requiring 12K RAM and top 1K of Field 2), and OS/8 BASIC (an extension with OS/8 file access and string handling) have been released. The OS/8 Software Support Manual is also finally available.
• Fall '72 DECUS Symposium: Held in Anaheim, the symposium saw discussions on OS/8 V2, BATCH, and BASIC. Richard Larry presented on an enhanced OS/8 FORTRAN IV for 8K machines (with or without FPP12), aiming for a summer release. Richard N. Stillwell discussed using an IBM 360/50 as a PDP-8 peripheral for OS/8, and John Alderman introduced his DSP-8 diagnostic programming support routines. C.G. Roby and D.L. Duffy presented PAL12 (a bilingual assembler) and SCROLL (an editor).
• New Programs in DECUS: Several new programs are listed, including device handlers (TV PDP12 VR12 scope, TD8e System), a LAP6-DIAL to PS/8 source converter, FORTRAN IOH routines, an 8BAL macro library generator, and various statistical programs (Polynomial Least Squares Fit, Matrix Inversion, ANOVA, Multiple Correlation, Chi Square, Cluster Analysis, Correlation, Factor Analysis). Utilities like DISORT (sorted directory listings), BIN4SV (SV to BN converter), and EDITS (PS/8 editor for non-storage scope) are also included.
• Work Being Done: D. Lloyd Rice is finalizing a revised OS/12 system with enhanced scope interaction. C.G. Roby developed a virtual memory OS/8 system for a 4K LINC-8 using LINCtape for swapping. Ben H. Storey has programs for Real Estate Appraisal Reports.
• Work Needed (Wish-List): Suggestions include developing new programs, improving existing ones (especially from DEC), coordinating non-DEC user efforts, creating a device handler for Calcomp plotters, and enhancing OS/8 to reserve core sections for protected code and better handle interrupt environments for multi-user or time-sharing systems.
• Bugs: OS/8 BASIC has reported bugs related to string compares, control-C checking, and I/O to non-file structured devices. EDIT12 (DECUS 12-50) is also reported to crash in "panic mode."
• Hints and Kinks: The newsletter explains OS/8 LOADER's COMMON allocation strategy, a method for using NULL ASCII characters for simplified I/O to non-file devices, and a technique for passing switches to OS/8 programs directly via the command line (after a slash or semicolon) without invoking the command decoder. It includes example code for detecting PS/8 vs. OS/8 loading based on line buffer locations.