DEC-T9-MTZA-D PDP-10 Timesharing Monitors Programmers Ref 197103

This document is the PDP-10 Programmer's Reference Manual for TIME-SHARING MONITORS, specifically covering the Multiprogramming (10/40) and Swapping (10/50) Systems developed by Digital Equipment Corporation.

Target Audience: It is primarily a comprehensive reference for experienced programmers, but also provides information for system managers and operations staff.

Core Purpose: The manual details the functions, commands, program loading procedures, and user programming aspects available under the executive control of the PDP-10 timesharing operating system (TOPS).

Key Topics Covered:

• Introduction to System Concepts: Explains fundamental ideas like multiprogramming, program swapping, reentrant user programming, memory protection, user facilities, and file structures.

• Monitor Commands: Provides in-depth descriptions of commands for:

  • Job Control: Login, initialization, facility allocation (assign, mount, dismount, finish), and job termination.
  • File Management: Source file preparation (create, edit, make, teco), file manipulation (type, list, delete, rename, directory listing), and compilation (compile, load, execute, debug).
  • System Operations: Run control, system timing and usage, teletype characteristics, and system administration.

• User Programming: Covers how user programs interact with the monitor, including processor modes, programmed operators (UUOs), execution control, core and segment management, file structure control, program identification, inter-program communication, and I/O programming.

• Device Management: Details the characteristics and programming methods for various I/O devices, categorizing them as nondirectory (e.g., card punch/reader, magnetic tape, line printer, teletype) or directory-based (DECtape, Disk).
• Monitor Algorithms: Offers insight into the system's internal workings, such as job scheduling, program swapping, device optimization, error handling, and priority interrupt routines.
• Real-Time Programming: Defines concepts and commands specific to real-time applications.
• Appendices: Include supplementary reference material on DECtape compatibility, monitor sizes, reentrant user programming, device status bits, error codes, monitor diagnostic messages, filename extensions, disk-like devices, retrieval pointers, and once-only parameters.

Context: This "Revision 2 Monitors" manual, dated March 1971, reflects updates and revisions incorporating material from the 5.03 release of the monitor, aiming for increased technical accuracy and improved presentation.