A BIN or RIM Format Data or Program Tape Generator

This document describes DECUS program 8-81, "A BIN or RIM Format Data or Program Tape Generator," developed by R.F. Templeman at the University of Manchester in 1967 for the PDP-8 computer.

The program allows operators to generate program or data tapes in RIM or PAL BIN format using a Teletype, by manually entering octal codes. This avoids the need for formal assembly, making it particularly useful for:

• Creating small programs.
• Testing interface equipment.
• Making minor modifications to larger programs.
• Generating data tapes for direct loading into PDP-8 core.

It helps to provide a permanent record of changes, reducing errors common with manual core toggling. Tapes generated can be appended to existing BIN or RIM tapes. The program automatically creates leader/trailer codes and a checksum (for BIN tapes).

It requires a PDP-8 with an ASR-33 Teletype and occupies memory locations 6000g - 6077g. Input is character-based (A, B, C, or 0-7) without needing returns or line feeds. A key restriction is that the program is not relocatable, and there is no recovery from typing errors.