VAX/VMS Release Notes Version 2.0

This document, the VAX/VMS Release Notes Version 2.0 (March 1980), serves as a supplemental guide for installing, upgrading, and operating the VAX/VMS V2.0 operating system. It provides critical information not found in the main documentation set, covering late-discovered software/documentation errors, changes, and installation hints. It supersedes previous VAX/VMS Release Notes.

Key information includes:

1. Installation and Upgrade:

   • Details the components of the VAX/VMS V2.0 distribution kits (magnetic tape and disk cartridge).
   • Outlines the installation process for new customers and upgrade process for VAX/VMS V1.6 users.
   • Requires checking the VAX-11/780 System Identification Register (SID) for compatibility (processor type 1, ECO level 3).
   • Advises current customers to reassemble and relink user-coded software and reinstall optional software products after upgrading.

2. Differences Between VAX/VMS V2.0 and VAX/VMS 1.6 (Changes & New Features):

   • New Hardware Support: Includes MA780 multiport memory, RX02 floppy diskette drive (data only), TS11 magnetic tape transport, LP25 line printer, and DR780 32-bit parallel interface.
   • Documentation Kit: Several new and revised manuals, with summaries of changes in each.
   • Command Language (DCL) and System Messages:
     • Redesigned DIRECTORY command with new qualifiers and incompatibilities.
     • FORTRAN /WORK_FILES qualifier is now ignored.
     • SET TERMINAL /LOCAL and /REMOTE qualifiers are removed.
     • System HELP files have a new format, with a utility (CVTHELP.EXE) provided for converting old files.
   • Program Development Tools: Enhanced VAX-11 Symbolic Debugger with new commands and features.
   • System Services and I/O:
     • Colon (:) now serves a special function in shared memory names, potentially breaking old programs.
     • Magnetic Tape Driver (/FOREIGN) skip functions now terminate upon two consecutive tape marks.
     • User stack automatically expands.
   • Run-Time Library: Programs linked with V1.6 will run on V2.0 (upward compatibility), but not vice versa. Programs requiring CMKRNL or CMEXEC privileges must be relinked. Introduces LIB$LP_LINES routine for lines-per-page. Default FORTRAN logical unit assignments are now handled by the Run-Time Library, not system-wide logical names.
   • Record Management Services (RMS): Updates to RMSSHARE, introduces unsupported RMSANLZ utility, new HDR3 magnetic tape label, and support for sequential file sharing.
   • Compatibility Mode: Changes to IO.ATT directives, AME emulation, MACRO-11 CRF support. Certain utilities (RENAME, UNLOCK, CREATE, SET PROTECTION, DIRECTORY) now invoke native-mode images.
   • System Programming: All user-written drivers must be reassembled and relinked. Changes to Buffered I/O Count Quota field, interrupt dispatch table capacity (now >8 units), new macro for UNIBUS datapath purging.
   • System Management and Operation: Introduces SET PASSWORD command, enhanced terminal allocation security (TTYPROT, TTYOWNER), privileged images perform unconditional rundown on CTRL/Y. The User Authorization File (UAF) has a new format and is automatically converted during upgrade. New Console Floppy device name (CSA1), V2.0 VMB is crucial for crash dumps, VMS-to-VMS Network Command Terminal capability now available. Enhanced ERRFMT process, new CRASH command procedure, and a new method to change default lines-per-page. File Manager performance enhancements. Updates to AUTOCONFIGURE device support and line printer CSRs. SYS parameter BUGCHECKFATAL defaults to OFF.
   • Unsupported Software: DIGITAL Standard RUNOFF (DSR) replaces RNO.EXE (with known incompatibilities). Mentions unsupported utilities like Page Fault Monitor, INFO, SEARCH, SETNAME, SFA, TALK, USERS, and WHO.

3. Resolved Problems: All restrictions and problems from VAX/VMS V1.5 and V1.6 have been resolved, except for those explicitly listed as current restrictions.

4. Current Restrictions and Problems (Known Issues) in V2.0:

   • Command Languages: DIRECTORY /EXCLUDE with zero version number does not work as expected; wild card * not fully supported in version fields; wild card operations on foreign mounted devices can cause exceptions; incorrect HELP text for MOUNT command.
   • Program Development Tools: Various issues with LIBRARIAN (e.g., requires /NAMES and /LIST together, may corrupt on CTRL/Y), LINKER (e.g., shareable image relocation, linking multiple shareable images), and VAX-11 Symbolic Debugger (e.g., restrictions on floating data deposits, string variables, condition handlers).
   • Record Management Services (RMS): Copying relative/indexed files only to disk; incorrect device characteristics on parse; incorrect BLISS-32 definition; file access sharing problems; magnetic tape restrictions (e.g., MBA/TM03 ECOs required, bad tape can hang process, issues with ANSI tape labels, continuation/foreign tapes running away if not initialized).
   • RMS-11: Records with duplicate key values may lose input order; large bucket/record sizes can terminate command line; RMSRST version number failures; /RC and /RA switches prohibited.
   • System Programming: SDA SET OUTPUT command error; PATCH utility problems (doesn't support some MACRO-11 abbreviations); restriction on using interlocked queue instructions due to microcode issues.
   • System Management and Operation: AUTOCONFIGURE can disrupt I/O on active controllers; BJOBLIM and NJOBLIM SYSGEN parameters are not supported; generating RSX-11S/M DECnet fails.
   • EDT Computer-Assisted Instruction: Minor issues with cursor positioning and terminal broadcast.

5. Notes to Published Documentation: Provides corrections and supplemental information for various VAX/VMS manuals.

6. VAX-11 COBOL-74 Installation: Includes specific instructions for installing and verifying VAX-11 COBOL-74, noting that if it was installed on an earlier VAX/VMS version, it should not be reinstalled after upgrading to V2.0.

7. Patches: Lists journal files for patches applied after the microfiche kit was manufactured.

In essence, the document guides users through the VAX/VMS V2.0 release, detailing significant system enhancements, new hardware support, and crucial operational and programming changes, while also informing them of known issues and necessary workarounds for a smooth transition from previous versions.