DECUS PDP-8 Program Library Catalog Jun79

This document is the PDP-8 Program Library Catalog published by the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society (DECUS), dated June 1979.

The catalog serves as a comprehensive listing of available software for PDP-8, BASIC-8, and FOCAL-8 systems.

Key aspects and contents include:

1. General Information:

   • Purpose of DECUS Library: Functions as a clearinghouse, providing programs and information "AS IS," without selling, generating, or testing them. All implied warranties are disclaimed.
   • Ordering Procedures: Details how to order programs, including requirements for being a DECUS member or DIGITAL employee, minimum order amounts ($25 USD for non-prepaid orders), invoicing charges, payment methods (checks, postal money orders, DECUS coupons, no cash), and where to send orders (separate regional offices for Europe, Australia, and U.S./Canada).
   • Delivery and Returns: Specifies delivery times (3-6 weeks for U.S./Canada, 8-12 weeks for international orders) and policies for replacing unreadable media (within 60 days) but states no exchanges for programs that don't meet user needs and no refunds.
   • Program Submission: Outlines minimum requirements for submitting new or revised programs, including a submittal form, abstract, documentation, and source files on computer-readable media.
   • Media Price Codes: A table defining alphanumeric codes used to indicate the medium (e.g., paper tape, DECtape, floppy diskette, magnetic tape) and service charge for each program.

2. Program Abstracts (Software Listings):

   • The core of the catalog, featuring detailed abstracts for individual programs categorized by:
     • PDP-8 Abstracts: Programs written primarily in PAL-III or SABR assembly languages.
     • BASIC-8 Abstracts: Programs written in the BASIC language.
     • FOCAL-8 Abstracts: Programs written in the FOCAL language.
   • Each abstract includes the program number, author, operating system, source language, memory and special hardware requirements, a description of the program's function, and its media price code. Software spans various applications, including assemblers, debuggers, utilities, mathematical and statistical routines, games, educational programs, and hardware control handlers.

3. DEC Standards:

   • Lists technical documents related to software standards available through DECUS, covering areas like keyboard layouts, escape sequences, date formats, documentation symbology, cassette formats, disk pack identification, and BASIC-PLUS software conventions.

4. Indexes:

   • Provides alphabetical, category, and operating system indexes to help users locate specific programs or programs within certain application areas or for particular operating environments (e.g., OS/8, TSS/8, COS-300).

In summary, the 1979 DECUS PDP-8 Program Library Catalog is a comprehensive resource detailing available software for Digital Equipment Corporation's PDP-8 family of computers, emphasizing user contribution and "AS IS" distribution, alongside clear ordering and usage guidelines for its global user community.