VAX/VMS

This document serves as Release Notes for VAX/VMS Version 1.5, detailing information not included in the main documentation set, such as software/documentation errors, late-cycle changes, and installation/operation hints. Version 1.5 is distributed as mandatory updates for existing VAX/VMS 1.01 users (via seven floppy diskettes) or as a complete reconfigured system for new customers.

Key updates include:

• Software Products: New versions of optional software like DECnet-VAX (V1.1), VAX-11 FORTRAN IV-PLUS (V1.2), VAX-11 COBOL-74 (V4.0), and VAX-11 BLISS-32 (V1.0) are introduced, along with their specific installation procedures, known issues, and required hardware Field Change Orders (FCOs) and microcode.
• Command Language and File System: Numerous corrections and clarifications are provided for VAX/VMS commands such as COPY, DIFFERENCES, DIRECTORY, EXAMINE, MACRO, REPLY, SET PROTECTION, SET TERMINAL/PERMANENT, STOP/ENTRY, and keyword truncation rules.
• System Services and RMS: Updates include corrections for $SETIMR, $SCHDWK, $PUTMSG message disposition, $GETJPI explanations, and the introduction of the .ASCID assembler directive. VAX-11 Record Management Services (RMS) see updates regarding default date/time values, device characteristics, the RMSSHARE utility, ISAM file performance, bugchecks, and restrictions on file operations.
• Disk Management: Comprehensive details are given for Disk Volume Sets, covering creation, mounting, adding, and dismounting, along with associated error messages. It strongly advises against including the system disk in a volume set. Notes for the Disk Save and Compress (DSC2) utility cover verification errors and multireel tape handling.
• I/O Device Drivers: Corrections and updates are provided for Terminal, Magnetic Tape, and Disk Drivers (including RX01 Console Disk Driver and LPAll driver specifics).
• Utilities: The User Environment Test Package (UETP) receives user guide corrections and updates for testing various components, while the VAX-11 Symbolic Debugger (V1.5) now supports BLISS-32 and COBOL-74.

The document also refers to appendices summarizing patches and updates for VAX/VMS versions 1.0, 1.01, and 1.5, and provides instructions for installing and using the unsupported System Dump Analyzer (SDA) utility for crash analysis.