VAX/VMS Primer

This document, the "VAX/VMS Primer" (Order No. AA-D030B-TE), published in March 1980, is a tutorial guide designed to introduce new users to the VAX/VMS operating system (Version V02).

It covers fundamental aspects of interacting with the system, including:

• Accessing the System: How to use terminals (hardcopy and video display), log in, and understand keyboard functions.
• Command Language (DCL): Explains how to enter commands, use parameters and qualifiers, interpret system responses, recover from errors, abbreviate commands, utilize command prompting, and use the HELP command.
• File Management: Details file identification through file specifications, names, types (e.g., FOR, MAR, DAT, LIS, OBJ, EXE), and version numbers. It also covers common file manipulation commands like listing, creating, displaying, copying, printing, renaming, deleting, and purging files, as well as working with directories and subdirectories.
• Text Editing: Provides an extensive guide to using the SOS (Symbolic Object System) editor to create and modify files, outlining commands for input, printing, finding, substituting, inserting, deleting, and renumbering lines.
• Program Development: Outlines the four key steps: creating source program files, compiling or assembling (with examples for VAX-11 FORTRAN and VAX-11 MACRO), linking object modules to create executable images, and executing/debugging programs.
• Logical Names: Introduces the concept of logical names for program input/output files and devices, explaining how they connect programs to physical files.
• Tailoring the Command Language: Shows how to customize DCL using assignment statements and creating command procedures, including submitting batch jobs.

The primer emphasizes interactive use of VAX/VMS, providing practical examples and referring users to more detailed documentation for advanced topics.