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AE-5367D-TA

May 1978

3 pages

Original

0.2MB

Document:	04.03.03 7806 OS78
Order Number:	AE-5367D-TA
Revision:
Pages:	3
Original Filename:	http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/spd/04.03.03_7806_OS78.pdf

OCR Text

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Software Product Description
PRODUCT NAME: 08/78, Version 2, DECstation 78 Operating System

SPD 4.3.3

DESCRIPTION:
OS/78 is a comprehensive executive designed to support the DECstation 78 computer system. OS/78 provides an extensive collection of application software
development tools and an efficient run-time environment for the production use of these application programs. OS/78 is controlled through a Concise
Command language (CCl) that simplifies program
development and execution.

Simple keyboard commands can be used to start the
symbiont or to return OS/78 to single-task operation
with 16K words of memory.
OS/78 includes an lA78 printer-spooler symbiont.

Programs stored on diskettes can be accessed for
loading, modification or execution by simple keyboard commands. OS/78 also allows program chaining, so that a complex program can be divided into a
series of smaller modules.

Language Functions:

The CCl (Concise Command language) allows the
user to operate the system through terminal commands. Three classes of functions are available
through CCl: system functions, language functions,
and utility functions.

System Functions:
Batch Processing
The SUBMIT instruction calls in a batch processor to
execute a sequence of commands which have been
stored in a file. This feature permits the user to execute a series of pre-determined operations using a
single command. SUBMIT also provides an optional
method for redirecting line printer output to diskette
files when there is no line printer in the system.
110 Handlers
In addition to I/O support for the VT78 processor and
the RX78 diskette drives, OS/78 supports an lap
printer, the lA78 printer and two asynchronous serial
line units.
System Configuration
The SET command enables the user to set I/O
handler options. (Examples: print-line length, readonly device, etc.)
Concurrent Processing (Symbiont)
A symbiont is a user-written interrupt-driven assembly language program that uses the upper 4K words
of memory. The OS/78 symbiont facility allows such a
symbiont task to run in parallel with OS/78 while
OS/78 operates normally in 12K words of memory.
The symbiont task may run communications, print,
monitor real-time jobs, etc.

June 1978

File Management
The system provides standard routines for the creation, modification, renaming, and deletion of files.
CCl commands invoke these routines.
BASIC
OS/78 BASIC is implemented as a compiler language. It consists of an editor, compiler, and a runtime system, all three supporting BASIC's dual functions as an interactive program development tool and
a system for both interactive and batch-mode program execution.
OS/78 BASIC includes features oriented to the commercial user:
• Multiple Data Formats - the system supports three
types of data format: floating point numeric,
alphanumeric string, and commercial decimal (numeric string) data.
• CommerCial Decimal Arithmetic to 15-digit precision, including data format conversion.
• PRINT USING statement for formatted printing of
numeric strings; espeCially useful for columns and
tables.
• Full upperllower case capability.
• Cursor control function to facilitate data entry.
• Random-access record oriented I/O for rapid storing and retrieval of individual records.

Assembler
The PAL command calls a three-pass assembler. The
optional third pass creates a side-by-side octal and
symbolic listing and symbol table. This assembler accepts input generated by the EDIT function and
generates output acceptable to the lOAD (absolute
loader) and CREF (Cross Reference Utility) functions.
FORTRAN
OS/78 FORTRAN IV permits generalized array subscripting and 1- to 7-dimension arrays. large
amounts of data can be easily stored and accessed.
FORTRAN IV also offers direct access I/O. With this
feature, the user can directly reference any record in
a data file.

AE-5367D-TA

OS/78, Version 2

SPD 4.3.3
-2-

OS/78 FORTRAN IV supports mixed-mode arithmetic,
octal constants, logical IF statements, and general integer expressions in IF statements. In addition, OS/78
FORTRAN IV allows initial values in operators, including ,EQU and XOR.
Text manipulation is aided by Hollerith field specifications for text as well as literals and constants. DATA
statements, BLOCK statements and BLOCK DATA
statements are supported.
OS/78 FORTRAN IV has a library of mathematical
functions for calculating logarithms, absolute values,
and trigonometric functions. Other functions manipulate character strings.

Utility Functions:
The HELP utility can display on the screen instructions for use of OS/78 utilities and languages.
EDIT calls a symbolic editor which is used to create
and modify ASCII source files so that these files can
be used as input to BASIC, the PAL 8 assembler, or
the FORTRAN IV compiler.
LOAD calls an absolute loader which reads a binary
program into memory and creates a resident memory
image suitable for addition to the system library or for
immediate execution.
ODT (Octal Debugging Technique) allows the user to
run programs under carefully controlled conditions,
modify programs during execution, or monitor the
state of main memory and processor registers.
CREF (Cross Reference Utility Program) aids the development programmer in writing, debugging, and
maintaining assembly language programs by providing the ability to locate all references to a particular
symbol. Input is supplied to CREF in the form of an
ASCII listing file produced by the PAL assembler.
The MAP command runs a utility program that constructs a table showing the memory locations used by
a particular binary file. This feature assists the programmer in allocating memory.
DIRECT produces a listing of the file directory for any
OS178 diskette. Selective listings can be obtained
through the use of command options.
DUPLICATE allows the copying of an entire diskette
with a single command.
The COpy command transfers one or more selected
files from diskette to any I/O device. The method of
specifying files is flexible and allows users to copy
selected groups of files with simple commands.

MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIRED:
DECstation 78/40
OPTIONAL HARDWARE:

LQP 78 Letter Quality Printer
LA78-P Line Printer
Additional RX78 Dual Floppy Disk Drive

PREREQUISITE SOFTWARE:
None

OPTIONAL SOFTWARE:
MAC REL/LI N KER
TRAINING CREDITS:
None
SUPPORT CATEGORY:
B - Software Support will be provided as stated in
the Software Support Categories Addendum to this
SPD.
UPDATE POLICY:
Software Updates, if any, released by DIGITAL during
the one (1) year period following installation, will be
provided to the customer for a media charge (includes no installation). After the first year, updates, if
any, will be made available according to then prevailing DIGITAL poliCies.
ORDERING INFORMATION:
All binary licensed software, including any subsequent updates, is furnished under the licensing provisions of DIGITAL's Standard Terms and Conditions of
Sale, which provide in part that the software and any
part thereof may be used on only the Single CPU on
which the software is first installed, and may be
copied, in whole or in part (with the proper inclusion
of the DIGITAL copyright notice and any DIGITAL
proprietary notices on the software) only for use on
such CPU. All source licensed software is furnished
only under the terms and conditions of a separate
Software Program Sources Agreement between Purchaser and DIGITAL.
Source and/or listing options are only available after
the purchase of at least one supported license and
after a source license agreement is in effect.
The following key (Y) represents the distribution
media for the product and must be specified at the
end of the order number, e.g., QF022-AY = binaries
on floppy disk.
Y = RX01 Floppy Diskette
Standard Options
For DECstation 78-A Systems
78/40 -B- DECstation 78 (tabletop), single-use license, binaries, documentation, support services (media: Y)
78/40 -D- DECstation 78 with cabinet, single-use
license, binaries, documentation, support services (media: Y)
78/60 -D- DECstation 78, single-use license, binaries, documentation, support services
(media: Y)
QF022 -A- Single-use
license,
binaries,
documentation,
support
services
(media: Y)
Upgrade Options
The following option is available as an upgrade kit
from OS/8, Version 3D, for use on the same single
CPU on which OS/8, Version 3D, is licensed. The license previously granted for OS/8, Version 3D, shall
be extended to cover this upgrade.

SPD 4.3.3

OS/78, Version 2

-3QF023

-C- OS/78 Version 2 Single-use license, binaries, documentation, no support services (media: Y)

Update Options
Users of OS/78, Version 1, whose specified Support
Category warranty has expired may order under license the following software update at the then
current charge for such update. The update is distributed in binary form on the appropriate medium and
includes no installation or other services unless specifically stated otherwise.
QF022 -W- Binaries, documentation (media: Y)
Source/Listing Options
QF022 -E- All sources (media: Y)

ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
None

ADDENDUM
SOFTWARE SUPPORT CATEGORIES
Each software product (hereinafter 'SOFTWARE') with a designated Support Category A or 8 in the applicable Software Product
Description (SPD) existing at the time of order will be the current release at the time of delivery and will conform to the SPD.
DIGITAL's sole obligation shall be to correct defects (nonconformance of the SOFTWARE to the SPD) as described below. Any
SOFTWARE with a designated Support Category C will be furnished on an 'as is' basis.
For SOFTWARE with a designated Support Category A or B, DIGITAL will provide the services set forth below without additional
charge.
CATEGORY A
1. Upon notification by customer to the nearest DIGITAL office that the computer system, including all required prerequisite
hardware and software, is ready for the installation of the SOFTWARE, DIGITAL will install such SOFTWARE in any location
within the contiguous forty-eight (48) United States, the District of Columbia, or a country in which DIGITAL or a subsidiary
of DIGITAL has a software service facility. The notification must be received by DIGITAL and the system must be ready for
installation within thirty (30) days after the delivery of the SOFTWARE to customer or DIGITAL will have no obligation to
install. Installation will consist of: (1) verification that all components of the SOFTWARE have been received by customer, (2)
loading the SOFTWARE, and (3) executing a DIGITAL sample procedure.
2. During the ninety (90) day period after installation, if the customer encounters a problem with the current unaltered release
of the SOFTWARE which DIGITAL determines to be a defect in the SOFTWARE, DIGITAL will provide the following remedial
service (on site where necessary): (1) if the SOFTWARE is inoperable, apply a temporary correction (TC) or make a
reasonable attempt to develop an emergency by-pass, and (2) assist the customer to prepare a Software Performance
Report (SPR) and submit it to DIGITAL.
3. During the one (1) year period following installation, if the customer encounters a problem with the SOFTWARE which his
diagnosis indicates is caused by a SOFTWARE defect, the customer may submit an SPR to DIGITAL. DIGITAL will respond
to problems reported in SPRs which are caused by defects in the current unaltered release of the SOFTWARE via the
Maintenance Periodical for the SOFTWARE, which reports SPRs received, code corrections, temporary corrections, generally
useful emergency by-passes and/or notice of the availability of corrected code. Software Updates, jf any, released by
DIGITAL during the one (1) year period, will be provided to the customer on DIGITAL's standard distribution media as
specified in the applicable SPD. The customer will be charged only for the media on which such updates are provided,
unless otherwise stated in the applicable SPD, at .DIGITAL's then current media prices.
CATEGORY 8
During the one (1) year period following delivery, the services provided to the customer will be the same as set forth in 3 above.
CATEGORY C
SOFTWARE is provided on an 'as is' basis. Any software services, if available, will be provided at the then current charges.
DIGITAL shall have the right to make additional charges for any additional effort required to provide services resulting from
customGr use of other than current unaltered release of the SOFTWARE operated in accordance with the SPD.