DECUS 12-135 MAC8 8K MACRO Assembler

This document describes MAC8, an 8K Macro Assembler for the PS/8 and OS/8 operating systems, developed by Larry Davis of Washington University and submitted to the DECUS Program Library in October 1972.

Key features and capabilities:

• It allows users to write macro instructions alongside standard assembly language code.
• It is an enhanced version compared to DEC's 4K macro assembler, offering 8K system support.
• Improvements over DEC's version include the addition of the XLIST pseudo-op, chaining to the ABSLDR (Absolute Loader), direct input/output from PS/8 files, and the generation of neatly formatted listings with dates and page numbers. It also eliminates a specific "LG error" on Pass 2.
• Users can generate binary (.BN) and listing (.LS) files, and command options allow for control over symbol table output (full, only, or omit), and the ability to automatically load and start the assembled program via ABSLDR.
• It supports various pseudo-operations such as DECIMAL, OCTAL, FIELD, PAUSE, EXPUNGE, FIXTAB, PAGE, DEFINE, DUBL, FLTG, TEXT, and the added XLIST.

The document also includes a standard DECUS disclaimer, stating that MAC8 is a user-contributed program distributed by DECUS as a clearinghouse, without quality control, testing, or warranty from DECUS itself.