Os/8 V3 Field Test Information

This document is a collection of internal interoffice memoranda from Digital Equipment Corporation regarding the field testing and development of the OS/8 Version 3 operating system, dated late 1973 to early 1974.

Summary: The document serves as a comprehensive technical guide for field test sites, outlining the contents of the V3 distribution tapes and providing necessary patches for various system components. Key areas covered include:

• System Tools & Utilities: Detailed operational documentation for new or updated utilities, including the "Concise Command Language" (CCL), the "Peripheral Interchange Program" (PIP), the "Resource" utility (RESORC), the "File-Oriented Transfer Program" (FOTP), and the "Positioner Program" (CAMP).
• System Components: Memos detailing updates and fixes for system handlers, including the TTY, LPT, RK8, TD8E, and card reader handlers, as well as modifications to the command decoder and ODT.
• Language Support: Documentation regarding improvements to PAL8 and OS/8 BASIC (specifically core image file creation).
• Documentation Planning: A complete outline and schedule for the upcoming OS/8 Handbook, which replaces various scattered manual pages.
• System Maintenance: Instructions for building and reconfiguring systems, creating bootable tapes via the TDINIT program, and managing system device handers.

The memoranda emphasize that this is preliminary, in-house documentation intended for testing purposes. It provides specific instructions for reporting bugs and identifies the key personnel responsible for the development and maintenance of these system components during the pre-release phase.