VAX MACRO and Instruction Set Reference Manual

This VAX MACRO and Instruction Set Reference Manual (April 2001, OpenVMS VAX Version 7.3) serves as a comprehensive guide for programmers using VAX MACRO assembly language.

The document describes the features of the VAX MACRO instruction set and its assembler, covering:

• VAX MACRO Language: Details source program syntax, components (e.g., character set, numbers, symbols, expressions, operators), macro arguments, string operators, and addressing modes.
• Assembler Directives: Explains general and macro directives for controlling assembly processes, memory allocation, symbol management, and conditional assembly.
• VAX Data Types and Instruction Set: Provides a deep dive into basic VAX architecture, various data types (integer, floating-point, character, decimal strings), the Processor Status Longword (PSL), and a comprehensive description of native-mode VAX instructions across multiple categories (arithmetic, control, memory access, string, floating-point, etc.).
• VAX Vector Architecture: Outlines extensions for integrated vector processing, including specialized registers, instruction formats, execution models, and exception handling.

Appendices offer supplementary reference material like ASCII character codes, conversion tables, and summaries of directives and exceptions.