The DOS/BATCH File Utility Package

This document describes the Peripheral Interchange Program (PIP), a general utility within the DOS/BATCH system for PDP-11 computers. PIP's primary function is to transfer data files between standard I/O devices, and it also provides simple editing and control capabilities for all standard data formats.

Key features and operations covered include:

• File Management: Transferring single or multiple files (including merging), allocating contiguous files on disk or DECtape, renaming existing files, deleting files or groups of files, and superseding existing files with new ones. PIP also allows changing the protection code of files.
• Directory Operations: Users can print full or brief directory listings for disks, DECtapes, cassettes, and magtapes, displaying details like filename, size, creation date, and protection code. It also allows listing the number of free blocks on a specified device and entering User Identification Codes (UIC) into the Master File Directory (MFD).
• Device Initialization: PIP can zero (initialize) disks, DECtapes, magtapes, and cassette tapes to establish their basic file structures.
• Recovery and Verification: It offers an unlock switch to recover inaccessible files after system crashes and supports fast copy/verify operations for DECtape, as well as read-after-write verification for cassette tapes.
• Command Structure: Commands are processed via the Command String Interpreter (CSI) and utilize a specific format involving output/input file specifications, device designations, and various action and qualifying switches (e.g., /AL for Allocate, /DE for Delete, /PR for Protect, /DI for Directory, /SU for Supersede, /ZE for Zero). The asterisk (*) feature allows for wildcard specification in filenames, extensions, and UICs.

The document concludes with helpful hints for troubleshooting common issues users might encounter while operating PIP, such as difficulties running the program, accessing files, transferring to printers, handling file structure errors, and creating user file directories.