DBMS-10 Programmers Procedures Manual May77

This document is the DECsystem-10 Data Base Management System (DBMS) Programmer's Procedures Manual, published by Digital Equipment Corporation in May 1977. It is intended for application programmers using COBOL or FORTRAN as host languages to access and manipulate data within the DECsystem-10 DBMS.

The manual introduces core DBMS concepts, its components (including data-items, records, sets, and areas), and its associated languages (Data Description Language, Device Media Control Language, and Data Manipulation Language). Its primary focus is on the Data Manipulation Language (DML), providing detailed instructions on writing DML statements, handling exceptions, and specific usage guidelines with examples for both COBOL and FORTRAN programs. Key operational aspects covered include data protection (privacy and integrity), journaling for backup and recovery, and efficiency considerations for DML usage. Appendices offer reference material such as reserved words, error codes, schema data declaration conversions, and a glossary.