The Software Dispatch PDP-9 and PDP-15

This document, "The Software Dispatch" from June 1975, serves as a monthly publication for DIGITAL software users, providing updates on new and revised software, programming notes, problem solutions, patches, and documentation corrections for PDP-9 and PDP-15 systems. It is designed to be customizable into a reference notebook and is provided for three months post-purchase, after which it is available via software maintenance.

Key issues and solutions detailed in this edition include:

• DOS-15 DOSSAV: Patches to correct improper handling of disk errors (bad blocks and parity errors) during system restoration.
• DOS-15 FORTRAN Libraries: Instructions for reassembling FORTRAN libraries (.FLTB, FIOPS, STOP) to support more than 208 DAT slots, and reassembling DEFINE for supporting more than four simultaneously open random access files.
• PIP (Program Interchange Program): Binary patches to resolve issues with improper handling of protection codes during copy operations and to correct a "Large Word Pair Count" problem that prevented the Editor from accepting retyped lines.
• System Information (DOS-15 Update Procedure): Corrections to the DOS-15 V3B update procedure, addressing an installation error (IOPS 74) when replacing the .LOAD module, offering two potential solutions (either bypassing the step or patching the restore tape/disk).
• MUMPS-15 MUMP15 SRC: A fix for a "Phantom Partition/Global Ownership Interlock" issue, preventing a stalemate caused by interlocking partitions.
• MUMPS-15 MUPT11SRC: A correction ensuring the paper tape interrupt routine always executes in bank mode, as it can overlap page boundaries.
• RSX PLUS III FORTRAN OTS: Reassembly instructions for the DEFINE routine to allow more than four random access files to be simultaneously open.

The document also notes that there were no new Software Performance Reports (SPRs) received that month, indicating all reported problems had been resolved, and provides a global list of Digital Equipment Corporation SPR Centers for reporting future software issues or enhancements.