02 timesharing

This document, "Getting Started With Timesharing (DEC-10-MTWB-D)", is a simplified guide for beginning users of the DECsystem-10 timesharing system. It provides an overview of essential commands and procedures for interacting with the system.

Key areas covered include:

1. System Access: How to log in (LOGIN) and log out (KJOB), including options for managing files upon exit.
2. File Management:
   • Creation: Using CREATE (with LINED editor) and MAKE (with TECO editor) to establish new disk files.
   • Editing: Modifying existing files with EDIT (LINED) and TECO.
   • Manipulation: Commands like DIRECT to list file directories, TYPE to display file contents, DELETE to remove files, and RENAME to change file names.
3. Program Lifecycle:
   • Translation/Loading: COMPILE to convert source files to binary, LOAD to link and generate a core image.
   • Execution: EXECUTE to load and run programs, DEBUG to prepare for debugging.
   • Control: SAVE to store core images, RUN and R (for system programs) to execute saved programs, GET to generate a core image without execution, START to begin execution, HALT (Control-C) to interrupt, and CONTINUE to resume.
4. System Information: Commands to query the system, such as PJOB (job number), DAYTIME (date and time), TIME (running time for accounting), RESOURCES (available peripheral devices), and SYSTAT (overall system status).
5. Resource & Terminal Management:
   • Peripheral Devices: How to ASSIGN and MOUNT devices (e.g., DECtapes) and release them (DEASSIGN, DISMOUNT, REASSIGN).
   • Terminal Control: Special keys and commands like Control-C (interrupt), RETURN (line terminator), RUBOUT (character deletion), Control-U (line deletion), ALTMODE (command terminator), and Control-O (suppress output).
   • Terminal Manipulation: SEND messages to other terminals, DETACH a terminal from a program, and ATTACH to a detached job.
6. Output: Requesting line printer output using PRINT for disk files and CREF for cross-reference listings.

The document emphasizes referring to the "DECsystem-10 OPERATING SYSTEM COMMANDS" manual for a complete reference.