Digital PDFs

DEC-08-XSPSG-E-D

December 1975

46 pages

Original

1.9MB

Document:	dec-08-xspsg-e-d
Order Number:	DEC-08-XSPSG-E-D
Revision:
Pages:	46
Original Filename:	https://svn.so-much-stuff.com/svn/trunk/pdp8/src/dec/dec-08-xspsg/dec-08-xspsg-e-d.pdf

OCR Text

Digital Softwo re News

MEMBER

Digital Software News
PDP-8
NOVEMBER 4975
DEC-OB-XSPSG-E-D

The material
and

in this document is

only
subject
Equipment Corporation

for information purposes

change without
assumes

notice.
Digital
responsibility for any

which may appear in this document.
Software binaries
are provided only under licenses.
The standard

errors

and Sources
terms

and

conditions,

OEM

Agreement,

agreement contain the licenses
for the

and/or quantity discount

for all binaries

DECsystem—lO.

SOFTWARE COMMUNICATIONS

Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, MA 01754

other than

PDP-8 DIGITAL SOFTWARE NEWS

Published by Software Communications

Digital Equipment Corporation
P.0.

Maynard,
(617)

monthly Digital Software

The

software

for

the PDP-8.

from

answers

News

those licensed to

serves

publishes

5411

ext

software

problems

customer Software

DIGITAL

solutions,

and

Much of the material

corrections.

use

and revised software

new

developed
significant

Performance Reports

general audience.

the

for

01754

987-5111,

descriptions, programming notes,
and documentation

Box
MA

software contact at each software

directed to the

installation.

(The software contact is that person directly responsible for the operation of the software.) There is to be only one software contact per
installation.

software
a

software

The

format of

into

mailing will

be made

the

Digital

Software News

allows

customized reference notebook for

The PDP—8

Digital

08/8

V3B

Ext

(BASIC,

Software News

addresses without

it to be

customer's

reassembled

software

interest.

supports these products:

EduSystems
MS

BATCH,

TECO)

FORTRAN IV
FORTRAN

contact name.

IV Plotter

Routines

20 VC

25 V2

50 V8.24

Industrial BASIC V3

LAB-8/e

CAPS-8 Vl

PAMILA

LAB-8/e

RTS-8 Vl

TSAR Vl

cos-310 V5.06

Foreground/Data Entry V3.07
(Multi)

2780

RDCP

PTS-8

COS-300 V3.07
MTS

FOCAL-8

COS—310/2780

V5.06

V3.10

Betty A. Steinfeld, Editor
Sharon B. Lewis, Publications Coordinator

TRADEMARKS OF DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS

COMPUTER LABS

DECTAPE

EDUSYSTEM

MASSBUS

COMTEX

DECCOMM

FLIP CHIP

OMNIBUS

RSX

DDT

DECUS

FOCAL

03/8

TYPESET-8

RSTS

DEC

DIBOL

INDACS

PDP

TYPESET-11

DECSYSTEM-10

DIGITAL

LAB-8

PHA

UNIBUS

Digital

Software News,

November 1975

PDP-8

Sequence
COS—300
MONITOR

Writing Files with Full Directory

PIP

Writing Files with Full Directory
COS-310
MONITOR

System Crashes
SYSGEN

l*+

System Crashes
COS-350
SORTM

Files of Two Records
ERR ll

not Sorted

are

CHANNEL NOT OPEN

Message

1*
2*

OS/8
BATCH

Ignoring Nulls in BATCH

FORMATTERS AND COPIERS

Reliability Improvement

TDCOPY

FORTRAN

Call Time Error
Use

of Pause Statement

Failure of Fatal Error Handler in RALF
Use

of EAE Mode A Under FRTS

13
14*
15

HANDLERS
Use of

Auxiliary Teletype

PAMILA

Enabling Communication Link

Article contains patch.
T Replacement article.

Digital

Software News,

November 1975

writing Files with Full Directory

PROBLEM:

When

issuing a WR or

enters

the

copying

file without first

new

The result is
directory.
a garbled directory.

file via PIP,

checking

random file

for

loss

COS-300

full

and possibly

SOLUTION:

This

patch will

solve the

number of the monitor to

cos

problem and change the version
3.¢7G and PIP to version 3.¢7B

MONITOR 3.27?

PATCV
ccs PATCP SYSTEM
_FILE RAPE:
PATCPIMG MONITOR
SLOCY: 17
LOCATION :,4
.CLD V¢LUF2 7333
NEH VA LUE:
17::3
LOCATICM e s
.oLD-VALVE: A777
NEW VALUE: 41:2‘
LOCATIOR : 72
CLD_VALUE: 733D
REV VALUE: 1765

VERSION

3.27

LOCATIOM.:_73
OLD VALUE:
REM VALUE:
LCCATICM':
OLD VALUE:
rEw VALUE:

4777

A142
74
STAT

535s

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

C0§é300

v3.07

COMPONENT

VERSION

MONITOR

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

V3.07F
SEQUENCE

PAGE
OF

PIP V3.07A
NEw

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

ORIGINAL DATE

November

1975

Digital

Software News,

November 1975

Writing Files with Full Directory

LOCATIOV :
OLD VALUE:
raw VALUE:
I.OCATIO¥ :
OLD VALUE:
NEW VALUE:
LOCATuuz:
OLD VALUE:
VEV VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEW VfiLUE:

LOCATIOV :
OLD VLLUE:

NEU_VALUE:
-LOCATIOM :
OLD VALUE:
NEW VALUE:

115
7333
1755
115
4777

4142
15s
OOOO

7332».
157'.
Zflflfl

3783

1sz
322?

7333
161
2333
3126

182
CLD’VALUE: 2222
sz VALUE: 5757
LOCATION : 153
OLD VALUE: 2222
OEV VaLUE: 4167
LOCATION : END
RELATIVE CHECKSUM: 4733
HEM BLOCY PATCHED 0K

LOCATIOVT:

aLocy:j?z
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:

142
$93:
3
*

NEW VALUE:
,LOCATIOH : 1&3
.CLB VALUE: 323:
”EU VALVE: 7:49
LOCATIC“ : 14A
OLD VALUE: 2233
NEw.VALUE: 4544
LOCATION : 145
OLD VOLUE: 3253
NEW VALUE: 5542

LOCATION
OLD

VALUE:

14s
233G

NEW VOLUE: 2112
LOCATION : ENQ‘
RELATIVE CHECYSUM: 4852
NEW BLOCY_PATCEED OK-

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

COS-300

V3.07

COMPONENT

VERSION

V3.07F

MONITOR

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PIP V3.07A
REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

NEW

SEQUENCE

PAGE
OF

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

Digital

Software News,

November 1975

Writing Files with Full Directory

BLOCV:

:
111
OLD VALUE: A7CZ
HEW VALUE: SZCI
LOCATION : EMU
RELATIVE CFECYFUM:~CIUZ
Niw BLOCV PATCHEW OK
BLGCY: 39

LOCATION

CLD'VALUE:
ME” VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEW VALUE:

LOCATIOM

VALUE:
NEU VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEW VALUE:

OLD

5233
SSSA

154
CECE
3233
135.

932%
3387

155
383?

5232

END
RELATIVE CHECKSUM: 6155
FEM BLOCK PATCHED_O¥
BLOCK: END
CA BLCCV(S) PATCHED I” THIS-FILE

.LCCATIOH

PIP

FILE”NAME:
BLOCK: 2
LOCATION :

TOLD
NEW

163
5353

VALUE:
VALUE:

~LOCATICM : 16A
CLD VALUE: 1137
FEV VALUE:74AZ
LOCATION

LL?

[55

VALUE:'23®5

”5‘41 VA. L113:
LOCATION :

CLD.VALUF:
NEW VALUE:
LOCATION :

CL?

4557.

16$
2777

5585
187
7763
2517
END"

VALUE:
ESWVVALUE:
LCCATEC”.:
RELATIVE CHECYSUM: R553
‘ygw BLOCK PATCHES GK
.

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

cos-300
COMPONENT

MONITOR

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PIP v3
NEW

07A

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

VERSION
.

07F

SEQUENCE

PAGE
OF

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

Digital

Software News,

November

Writing Files with Full DirectogyA

BLOCK: 5
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
35w VALUE:

172
A765

4771

LCCATICN.: END
RELATIVE ,CPECYSUM: '32-?”
32w 3LnCYAPATCFED CV
-BLOC¥:.IZ

LoCAIInM : 1
OLD VALUE: 52:7
m3w~VALUE2

LOCATIOV

OLD VALUE:
VALUE:
LOCATIOV 2

-NE”

CLD VALUE:
"EM VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD
NEw

VALUE:
VALUE:

5555
1R3
527?.
32??
IEA
7671
3356:
155
7775

5262
155

LOCATION :
OLD VALUE: 7737.
NEW VALUE: 9
LOCATION : 234
OLD VALUE: 733?.
NEW VALUE:=17€3

LOCATION : 235
CL?

VALUE:

NEW

VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
rsw VALUE:

7532

VALUE:

A777

VALUE:

A153
27A
5757
5356
515
7333
1765
51$

VALUE:

A777

LOCATION

‘CLD VALUE:

VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
mm VALUE
FEW

LOCATION
-0LD
92'."

272
1753
273

LOCATION
OLD
NEW

4777
AIRS

VALUE: A153

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

COS-300

V3.07

COMPONENT

VERSION

MONITOR

V.307F

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEQUENCE

PIP V3.07A

PAGE
OF

5
‘

NEW

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

1975

Digital

Software News,

November 1975

Writing Files with Full Directory

LOCATION : 355
OLD VALUE: 4331
'HEW VALUE:-7533.

LOCATION
OLD
PEU

357

477A
3743
383

VALUE:
VALUE:

LOCATIOU

CL? VALUE:
NEW VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEW VALUE:

COO?
733z‘

LOCATION

352'
C???
5767
3<3’

SS!
OOOO

3127:

OLD VALUE:
MEN VALUE:
LOCATION :

OLD

VALUE:~R235,

MEN

VALUE:

LOCATION

RELATIVE
NEW

3166

: END
CHECKSUM:,A352
PATCHES

BLOCK

BLOCK:*11‘

LOCATION

OLD

33w

VALUE:
VALUE:

135

42C?
4303

LOCATIOU :-EUD

RELATIVE CFECVSUM: 2133
NEU BLOCK PATCHES OK
BLOCK: END
.flé BLOCK(S) PATCHES In THIS

FILE

NAME:

FILE

EXIT

cos

TOMITOR

3.37s

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

cos-300

v3.07

COMPONENT

VERSION

V3.07F

MONITOR

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PIP V3.07A
NEW

[E]

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

SEQUENCE

PAGE
OF

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

Digital

Software News,

November 1975

writing Files with Full Directory

PROBLEM :

When

issuing a WR or

enters

the

new

copying a file via PIP, COS-300
checking for a full
a random file loss and possibly

file without first

The result is
directory.
a garbled directory.

SOLUTION :

Refer to MONITOR article number 6.

VERSION

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

COS—300

V3.07

COMPONENT

VERSION

V3.07A

PIP

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEQUENCE

MONITOR V3.07F

PAGE
OF

NEW

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

Software News,

Digital

November 1975

System Crashes

PROBLEM :

The

following problems exist

in COS—310 V5.05A and SYSGEN V5.05.

interrupt is received while
field fi.

the

RUN

command processor is

overlaying page D,
2.

DIRECTORY

command puts out ASCII

codes without

parity

’

bit set.
3.

VT¢5

handler

provides insufficient delay

after control

characters.
4.

Control does not return

monitor when leaving

DIBOL

PROGRAM.

SOLTUION :

Refer to SYSGEN article number 1.

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

COS—310

V5.05

COMPONENT

VERSION

MONITOR

V5.05A

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEQUENCE

PAGE
OF

SYSGEN
NEW

___

v5.05

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

Digital Software News,

November

1975

System Crashes

PROBLEM:

The

following problems exist

DIRECTORY command

interrupt is received while
overlaying page 0, field 0.

bit set.
3.

in COS-310 V5.05A and'SYSGEN V5.05.
the RUN command processor is

puts out ASCII codes without parity

VT¢5=handler provides insufficient delay after

control

characters.
4.

Control does not return to monitor when

leaving

DIBOL

program.

SOLUTION:

The

The version number
following patch corrects these problems.
changed to V5.¢5B and the version of SYSGEN

of the monitor is
is

to V5.05A.

changed

Immediately after performing this patch, the system should
using the hardware bootstrap, and the SYSGEN/C
should be run to install the patched portion of SYSGEN.

be restarted

COS

SYSTEM

NAME:

FILE

PQTCHING

VERSION

5.05

MONITOR

BLOCK: 13
LOCATION 3
OLD VALUE:
NEW VALUE:
LOCfiTION 3
OLD
NEU

5.059

MONITOR

.R PATCH
COS PATCH

VALUE:
VALUE:

364
5765

6001

365
0200
S771

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

cos—3L0

VERSION

‘

COMPONENT

VERSION

SYSGEN

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEQUENCE

PAGE

MONITOR
NEw

V5 05A

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

ORIGINAL DATE

October

1975

Digital Software News,

November 1975

gystem Crashes

LOCATION : ENO
RELATIVE CHECKSUM: 5605
NEN BLOCK
PATCHEO'OK

BLOCK: 14
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEU VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLO VALUE:
NEU VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEU VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEU VALUE:
LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEU VALUE:

LOCATION

224
4512

1365
225
5612
5353
353
0000
4512
354
0000
5612
365
0000
0200
END

RELATIVE CHECKSUM: 7140
NEU BLOCK PATCHEO ON
BLOCK: 20
LOCATION :_147
OLD VALUE: 0000
NEU VALUE: 343
LOCATION : 343
OLD VALUE: 0000
NEU VALUE: 6002
LOCATION : 344
OLD VALUE: 0000
NEU VALUE: 5745
LOCATION :.345
OLO VALUE: 0000
NEU VALUE: 7756

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

COS—3Q

COMPONENT

SYSGEN

05A

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

NEW

v5 Q

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MONITOR

vERSION

SEQUENCE

:1 *

Pg?
2

ORIGINAL DATE

octgggr 1975

Digital

Software News, November 1975

System Crashes

LOCATION
OLD

:
VALUE:

106
7201

NEN

VALUE:

7300

LOCATION : 160
OLD VALUE: 7435
NEN VALUE: 7441
LOCATION : ENn
RELATIVE CHECKSUN: 0103
NEN BLOCK RATCHEO OK
BLOCK: 27
LOCATION : 111
OLD

VALUE:

4200

NEw

VALUE:
:

4300
END

LOCATION

0100

CHECKSUM:

RELATIVE

NEN BLOCK RATCHEB
BLOCK: ENO

BLOCK<8> RATCHEO
FILE NAME: SYSGEN
BLOCK: 6
06

LOCATION :
OLO VALUE:
NEN VALUE:

347
7650
7710

LOCATION :
OLO VALUE:

371
7771
7776

NEN'VALUE:

THIS FILE

: ENB
RELATIVE CHECKSUH: 4270
NEw BLOCK RATCHEO OK
BLOCK: 25
LOCATION : 161

LOCATION

VALUE:
VALUE:

7765
7771

LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEu VALUE:

5773
5547

OLB
NEN

216

LOCATION : ENO
RELATIVE CHECKSUN: 7560
NEN BLOCK RATCHEB OK
BLOCK:

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

COS—310

COMPONENT

NEW

V5 05

SYSGEN

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MONITOR

VERSION

05A

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

PAGE
OF

SEQUENCE

ORIGINAL DATE

October

1975

Digital

Software News,

November

System Crashes

LOCATION :
OLD VALUE:
NEW VALUE:
LOCATION :

373
7566
7540

END
RELATIVE CHECKSUM: 0017
NEW BLOCK PATCHEH OK
BLOCK: 16

LOCATION : 270
OLD VALUE: 0000
NEW VALUE: 4200
LOCATION : END
RELATIVE CHECKSUM:

4200
BLOCK PATCHED OK
BLOCK: END
02 BLOCK(S) PATCHED IN THIS
NEU

FILE

NAME:

FILE

EXIT
COS

MONITOR 5.053

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

COS-310
COMPONENT

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NEW

V5 05

SYSGEN

MONITOR

VERSION

V5 05A
.

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

SEQUENCE

ngE
4

ORIGINAL DATE

October 1975

1975

Digital Software News,

Files of Two Records

are

November 1975

not Sorted

PROBLEM:

error

not be

exists in SORTM which

causes

files of two records to

sorted.'

SOLUTION:

Insert the

statement

IF(DlST.EQ.O)
as

DlST=l

shown below:

.RUN

EDIT

*ER‘SDRTI‘I DBL$$
o

*EHSORTM . DBL$$
*R$$

*FX32 v $0J3AL$$
SIZE==( ( (MAXREC+NAXSTR)*(RECL+2) )/BLKSIZ)+1

IF(IIl18T.EG.O)D18T==1

$$
8*4L5L$$
X329
DiST=U18T*2

IF(ULEN.GT.DIST)GO T0
D18T=D18T/2~1

X32

IF(D18T.EG.O)D18T=1

SIZE=(((MAXREC+MAXSTR)*(RECL+2))/BLKSIZ)+1
DNERRDR DF‘NER'R
J=

iUSED

FILE

OPEN

ASSI’GN

*EX$$

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

COS-350

V01—04

COMPONENT

VERSION

V01

SQBTM
SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEQUENCE

1*
NEW

REPLACEMENT
,

DEVICE.

ARTICLE

ngE
l

ORIGINAL DATE

November

1975

Digital

ERR ll

CHANNEL NOT OPEN

Software News November 1975

Message

PROBLEM:

When
may

sorting short files,

the message

ERR 11

CHANNEL NOT OPEN

erroneously appear.

SOLUTION:

Insert

the

statement

RTBL (OCHN) =

shown below :

.DATE

2~SEF'-75

oRUN EDIT
*ERSORTH.DBL$$
*EUSORTH.DBL$$

*R$$
*FLASPAS!$0J9AL$$0CHN=DEST
'RTBL(OCHN)=

X~9L4L$$
oIFDEF
CALL

JOHN
OPNDST

7
.

IFDEF

DETCH
DETACH

.ENDC
6
.ENDC

RTBL(OCHN)=
OCHN=DEST
GO TO X265
9

6END 0F
*Exss

JOB

CLEAN

UP.

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

COS-350

V01—04

COMPONENT

VERSION

SORTM

V01

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PAGE

SEQUENCE

2*
REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

NEW

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

Ignoring Nulls

Digital

Software News,

November

input.

This

problems;

in BATCH

PROBLEM :

BATCH does

for

not

ignore

nulls

can

cause

example, when running from paper tape, if the tape is

started

leader.

SOLUTION :

Install the

following patch.

This patch changes the version

of BATCH from V5B to V5C.

GET

SYS

BATCH

.ODT

17¢1/¢237 337
62¢5/745¢ 3335;4775;7773;7563;6233;7566;62¢3
6214/7566 7564;62¢3;7441;6224;76¢¢;62¢3
+c
.SAVE

SYS BATCH

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

08/8

COMPONENT

VERSION

BATCH

V5B

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

3*
NEW

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

PAGE
OF

SEQUENCE

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

1975

Digital

Software News,

November 1975

Reliability Improvement

TDCOPY

PROBLEM :

is unable to copy

TDCOPY

marginal DECtapes.

SOLUTION :

The

Also,
following patch improves the reliability of TDCOPY.
This patch creates
use of parity teletypes.

it enables the

version 2.
.GET SYS
.

TDCOPY

ODT

2¢15/16¢¢
2¢46/1361
2¢42/1354
2137/763¢
2141/2367
22¢¢/62¢2
67/24¢4
2¢3/¢¢67
2561/xxxx
22¢4/136l

1361;6774;l6¢¢;6775;72¢¢
741¢;62¢1

2366/2¢47
24¢2/221g
2411/¢77¢
126/7752
365/2411
76¢/xxxx

2¢2¢
22¢4
67;7¢
775¢
76¢
77¢;76¢;75¢;74¢
411g
411¢
411g
411¢
6¢36;73;1163;551¢
2¢4

1247

72¢¢
73¢¢;2367;53¢1
336¢;5¢67
6776;6774;5472;22¢2;177
2561

24¢4;7¢¢5;4¢¢3;l72¢;314¢;2662;¢
677l;54¢4;6776;241;1354;764¢;54¢4;
1361;3357

453/6¢36
1325/6fi36
171¢/6¢36
1717/6¢36
lll/xxxx
l46/2¢l
fC
.SAV SYS TDCOPY

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

OS / 8

COMPONENT

VERSION

N/A

FORMATTERS AND COPIERS

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TDCOPY
NEW

[:::]
25

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

PAGE
OF

SEQUENCE

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

Digital

Call

TIME

Software News,

November

(SPR 8—1490)

Error

PROBLEM :

The

subroutine TIME returns

meaningless

results.

DISPOSITION:

Change the

statement FLDA OVRCNT

section of the CLOCK.RA module.
FORLIB.RL

using

FLDA# OVRCNT in the TIME

Insert

this module

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

OS/8

COMPONENT

FORTRAN

VERSION

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FORLIB
NEW

into

LIBRA.

RL,

CLOCK. RA
REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

SEQUENCE

PAGE
OF

ORIGINAL DATE

November

1975

Digital

Use

of Pause

Software News,

November

Statement

RESTRICTION:

The CLASSIC System hardware

console;

therefore

of PAUSE

statements

RUN

does not include

programmer
The use

switch is not available.

should be

avoided unless

HALT

desired.

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

OS/8

COMPONENT

FORTRAN

VERSION

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEQUENCE

PAUSE

PAGE

1
f

NEW

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975
i

1975

Digital

Failure of Fatal Error Handler in RALF

November

Software News,

(SPR 8—E1510)

PROBLEM :

The RALF
errors

error

message routines do not handle

fatal

system

correctly.

SOLUTION :

Installation of the following patch corrects this problem and

updates

RALF

from V56 to V57.

.GET SYS

RALF

.ODT

6255/¢¢66
2642/5241
2666/4775

¢¢67
4576

7¢¢¢

+C
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SYS

RALF

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

OS /8

COMPONENT

VERSION

FORTRAN

SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

v2
SEQUENCE

PAGE

RALF V56
NEW

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

14*

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975

1975

Digital Software News,

Userf EAE

Mode A Under FRTS

November

1975

(SPR 8—1538)

RESTRICTION :

The FRTS EAE math

written to
a

SWAB

.not

use

prior

package overlay uses

EAE mode

exit.

instructions

The FRTS

user

the EAE in mode B.
must

overlay

protect against the possibility of this

Programs

therefore execute
call

routine does

error.

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

OS / 8

COMPONENT

VERSION

FQRTRAN IV
SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FRTS

SEQUENCE
15

ngE
l

NEW

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

ORIGINAL DATE

[:::]

November 1975

Software News,

Digital

Use

November

Auxiliary Teletype

PROBLEM:

is used

auxiliary teletype with input code
that teletype remains in the
$3, CTRL/C typed
This prevents the handler from starting again.

When the KL8E

other than

buffer.

SOLUTION:

Clear the

keyboard flag after CTRL/C via the
IFNZRO

INDVC-3

statement:

<KCC>

Inserted at:
TTYTST+lO

The

following

compare details

source

this change.

This changes

the handler to version D.

SRDCDN va

1)
2)

/12 SDPER
/11_SUPER

1)0Da
1)003

IBUILD YOUR

TTY HANDLER
TTY HANDLER

FOR
FDR

03/0

05/0

_TTYVERSION="D&77
CNN

TELETYPE

HANDLER!

i 1: t t

23002

2)003

IBUILD

TTYVERSIDN-IDDTT
YOUR

ONN.TELETYPE HANDLER:

t t it tt t t

13014
I)

IFNZRD INDvc-s <KCC>

CIF

GDP

/BRANCH To 05/0 NDNITDR

07600

czrjcoF

/DRAN0H T0

@7600

t t i*

2301a

os/a MONITOR

t t t 'k k 'k t *

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

08/8

COMPONENT

VERSION
_

N/A

Handlers
SUBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEOUENCE

PAGE

KL8E vc
NEW

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

-6*

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975
35

1975

Digital

Software News,

November 1975

Enabling Communication Link
exist

page D-3

of the PAMILA Manual.

Two

errors

the

first line of the first table Of

PCH

6415

6021

Change the last line of the
O

2653

ADCK

second table:

XONOFF

ADDX-7

SOFTWARE PRODUCT

VERSION

N/A

PAMILA
COMPONENT

VERSION

N/A
s‘UBPROGRAM OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

N/A
SEQUENCE

PAMILA

DEC-oa—SPNNAeA-D
NEW

Change

patches:

REPLACEMENT ARTICLE

PAGE
OF

ORIGINAL DATE

November 1975
37

DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION

OPTION BULLETIN

TERMINALS
AUGUST 1975

VT52 DECsc0pe Video Display Terminal

IMMIIMIQ QM“!UH!MRI!!!“IIIIIIIHIHHIII

mun

DESCRIPTION

The VT52, Digital Equipment Corporation’s newest

Applications which require much numeric input can use

version of the DECscope, offers a combination of

the VT52 without modifying hardware or software, while

features not found in any other terminal. The VT52 is an

the operator uses the convenient “numeric pad.” Or,

upper—and-lower-case ASCII video terminal whose
display holds 24 lines of 80 characters.

which each key on the keypad transmits a unique Escape

software may place the VT52 in the alternate mode, in

The VT52 is upward-compatible with the VT50, but an

identification feature allows software to distinguish
between the two models. Software which uses Hold-

Screen Mode to produce operator-controlled, screenful-

by—screenful output to the VT50 will work perfectly on
the VT52 without modification, despite the different
screen capacities.
The VT50’s human-engineering features carry over to
the VT52: A clicking sound provides feedback to the

operator when keys are typed; a rollover feature lets the
terminal get the message straight even if two or three
keys are pressed at once; the keyboard follows the
standard typewriter layout.

The VT52 goes beyond the VT50, however, to provide
a “two-way” auxiliary keypad.

In one mode, the keypad

is used to generate program-compatible numeric codes.

Sequence. This allows the host computer to distinguish
between keys typed on the auxiliary keypad and similar
keys on the main keyboard. In this mode, each key on
the keypad can be used to invoke a user-defined
funcflon.
The VT52 has a wide range of cursor-positioning

functions. As well as moving the cursor one position in
any direction, software can move the cursor to any

position on the screen with a Direct Cursor Addressing
command which specifies the destination for the cursor.

The VT52 also offers fixed horizontal tabs, a “Cursor-to—
Home” command, and two screen-erasure functions.
Data on the screen scrolls up when a Line Feed function

is performed with the cursor on the bottom line; it scrolls
down when a Reverse Line Feed function is performed
with the cursor on the top line.

EIflEflflEfl

APPLICATIONS

and left. The host can interpret the codes these keys

A Window on a File. The VT52’s full character set

transmit by positioning the cursor, or, since these keys

(upper- and lower-case) makes it an excellent terminal

transmit Escape Sequences as the blank keys do, they

for text entry and editing. Its design suggests a new

can be relabeled and used to transmit special commands

method of editing text: a method in which the operator,

to software. lf these Escape Sequences are echoed

rather than having to learn a new command language for
text-editing, simply arranges text on the screen the way
the file is to read. The computer, which maintains an
image of the text displayed on the VT52’s screen in
memory, responds to special commands from the operator and performs advanced features involving text
compression or expansion.

back literally, the cursor will move one position in the
corresponding direction on the screen. Software can
place the VT52 in a mode where all 19 keys on the
numeric pad transmit unique Escape Sequences.
A key-click sound system, the layout of the keyboard,

and 2‘2-key rollover are all designed to give the VT52
the look and feel of a regular typewriter. This improves

The VT52, with 24 lines, lets the operator view a large

the efficiency of the typist and minimizes training time.

portion of the file. To move about in files containing more
than 24 lines, the VT52 can scroll the information on its

Changing Configurations. The VT52 is plug-compatible
and functionally upward-compatible with the VT50.

screen up and down.

When VT52s and VT50s are used in the same computer

When the operator gives the host a command to end the

editing session, the host writes its screen image onto a
storage device. This text-editing system is “error-proof,”

system, software can send each terminal a command to
identify itself. The VT52 will automatically transmit a
three-character Escape Sequence which identifies it as

since there is never any doubt as to what the file

a VT52.

contains at any time.

used with the terminal presently attached.

A Dynamic Display System. The 24 lines of the VT52’s

The host thus determines which features can be

The significance of this feature is that VT5OS, VT52s and

screen can be used to monitor 24 separate processes, or

future VT models can be freely interchanged within a

more. Consider a situation in which the VT52 is display-

system, with the software responding correctly to each

ing the status of 24 scheduled airline flights, one on each
line. If some of the information changes, it is possible to
change the field on the screen which displays that
information without rewriting the whole screen.

different type of terminal.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
"

The VT52 fits this application with its Direct Cursor

Commands

Addressing, a feature which allows software to move the

The following table

cursor from any position on the screen to any other

takes upon receipt of the corresponding codes from the

position with a single command.

host computer.

To replace any information on the screen, the host

Character(s) and
Octal Code(s)

Action Taken

sends the Direct Cursor Addressing command, two

characters which select the line and column number,

BEL (007)

Sounds the audible alarm.

BS (010)

Moves the cursor left one posi-

and the new data.

lists the actions which the terminal

A File Display System. In its Hold-Screen Mode, the

tion, unless it was at the start of a

VT52 allows the operator to control the flow of data onto

line to begin with.

the screen. With most terminals, whatever the host

TAB (O11)

Moves the cursor rightward to the

sends to the terminal goes on the screen immediately.

next TAB stop, unless the cursor

But the VT52 can operate at such a rapid speed that 12

was at the end of a line to begin

full lines of data could be scrolled off the top of the

with.

screen every second, as new data enters the screen at

(TAB stops are fixed in columns
9, 17, 25, 33, 41, 49, 57, 65, 73,
74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, and 80.)

the bottom. in Hold-Screen Mode, the VT52 will not

perform a scroll until requested to do so by the operator.
In a situation where any data would be scrolled off the

LF (012)

screen, the VT52 buffers incoming data rather than

processing or displaying it, and sends signals to the host
telling it to stop or resume transmitting.

cursor was on the bottom line.

CR (015)

Moves the cursor to the start of

the same line it was on.

ESC (033)

can also use the SCROLL key to request the VT52 to

Serves as a signal that the follow—

accept 24 new lines, one new screenful, from the host.

ing character is to be interpreted
rather than displayed; ESC intro-

Business Data Entry. In addition to providing keys for

duces multicharacter commands

the numerals and decimal point, the VT52’s19—key

—”Escape Sequences”—which

transmit unique, multiple—character Escape Sequences
which can be interpreted by software. The four remaining

keys are labeled with arrows pointing up, down, right,

CORPORATION
EQUIPMENT
-

are listed below.

numeric pad contains an ENTER key (which transmits
the control code CR), and three blank keys. These keys

—performs an upward scroll if the

If the operator types the SCROLL key, the terminal will
allow one line of data through to the screen. The operator

Moves the cursor down one line

Space (040) and
the displayable
characters (041-176)

The character is displayed at the
cursor position; then the cursor is

moved right one column, unless

it was at the end of a line to begin

@197

with. In particular, Space (040)

be scrolled off the screen until the

blanks the character at the cursor

operator requests it by typing the

position and moves the cursor
right.

SCROLL key.

ESC \(033134)

EXlTs Hold-Screen Mode. (Hold-

NUL (000) and

The terminal does not respond to

Screen Mode remains in effect

DEL (177)

NUL or DEL, in order to be compatible with slower electrome—

until this command disables it.)

chanical devices that use these

characters as fillers.

Direct Cursor Addressing Command

Format:

ESC

Iine#

column#

Escape Sequences

Effect

ESC I (033111)

Moves the cursor up one line—

line# is one character; octal code
040 to refer to the top line, 041 to

performs a downward scroll if the

refer to the second line, ...067 to

ESC : (033 075)

cursor was on the top line.

refer to the bottom line. Column#

ENTE Rs Alternate—Keypad Mode.

can legally range from 040 (left-

In Alternate-Keypad Mode, keys
on the numeric pad transmit

most column) to 157 (rightmost
column). The cursor is moved to

unique Escape Sequences to dis-

the specified column of the

specified line.
(move the cursor HOME) is

tinguish them from similar keys

ESC > (033 076)

on the main keyboard, and to

033 110

invoke user-defined functions.

033 131 040 040

EXlTs Alternate—Keypad Mode—
returns to Numeric-Keypad Mode.
(Alternate-Keypad Mode remains

Summary of Basic Cursor Movements

in effect until this command

UP:

disables it.)

ESC A (033 101)

Moves the cursor up one line,

DOWN:

unless it was already on the top

line—does not perform a scroll.
unless it was already on the
bottom line—does not perform

ESC C (033 103)

ESC H (033 110)

ESC C

does not erase

space

erases

ESC D

(these two are equivalent)

is held down.

The BREAK function is commonly used to forcibly

position.
unless it was already at the start

interrupt the flow of data coming to the terminal. It is
provided for users with older software written to operate
in Half Duplex. In Half Duplex, only one data communi-

of a line—same as BS (010).

cation Iine exists between terminal and computer. If the

Moves the cursor HOME: to the

computer has control of this line, BREAK is the only
means of forcing an interrupt. However, because
DECscopes have both input and output lines, the forcible
BREAK is normally unnecessary.

Erases all data from the cursor

The REPEAT Key

position rightward on the same

Any key which transmits a code (or codes) to the
computer will transmit that code (or codes) repeatedly if
pressed while the REPEAT key is down. The keys on the
numeric pad which transmit more than one character
apiece will transmit their sequence repeatedly, if
pressed with the REPEAT key down. The rate. of repetition may attain 30 characters per second (on 50 Hz

Direct Cursor Addressing feature
—moves the cursor to any speci-

fied position on the screen,

regardless of where it was before.
(The format of this command is
shown below.)

ESC E (033 133)

scrolls text up*

the character at the old cursor

line.

‘

the end of a line—does not erase

Erases all data from the cursor

ESC Y (033 131)

does not scroll

Typing the BREAK key causes the transmission line to
be forced to its zero state for as long as the BREAK key

position to the end of the screen.
ESC K (033 113)

scrolls text down*

ESC B

Moves the cursor right one

start of the top line.

ESCJ(033112)

does not scroll

ESCI

The BREAK Key

Movesthe cursor left one column,

ESC D (033 104)

LEFT:

ESC A

a scroll.

column, unless it was already at

ESC Z (033 132)

RIGHT:

Moves the cursor down one line,

ESC B (033 102)

equivalent to
(move the cursorto column 1 of
line 1)

Requests the terminal to identify

models, 25 characters per second), or it may be limited
to a slower rate if the baud rate is not set to accommo—

itself. The terminal will respond

date such rapid transmission.

with a three-character Escape

The SHIFT Keys

Sequence unique to its own
configuration.

the top symbol will be transmitted if either or both of the

On keys which have more than one symbol, the code for

Enters Hold-Screen Mode. In

SHIFT keys are pressed; the code for the bottom symbol

Hold-Screen Mode, data will not

will be transmitted if neither SHIFT key is down.

*if the cursor cannot move anyfurther in the specified direction.

Typing any alphabetic key when either or both of the
SHIFT keys are down will cause an upper-case code to
be transmitted. Typing an alphabetic key when neither
SHIFT key is down will cause a lower-case code to be
transmitted. The SHIFT keys also affect the function of
the SCROLL key.
The CAPS LOCK Key

occur, admitting one new line of data to

the screen.

Directs the terminal to allow 24 scrolls to

SHIFTED

occur, admitting one new screenful of

data to the screen.
Hold-Screen Mode

When the CAPS LOCK key is down, typing any alpha-

betic key (A through Z) will cause an upper-case code to
be transmitted, regardless of whether a SHIFT key was
down. But unlike a typewriter’s SHIFT LOCK key, CAPS

LOCK does not affect the codes transmitted by keys
other than the alphabetic keys.

‘

ll
%&

LINES 1-24

**ESCE**

Host is transmitting data to VT52—transmits proper

The CONTROL Key

When the CONTROL key is pressed, the two high-order

codes to place VT52 in Hold-Screen Mode.

bits of each character are masked out, allowing “control
codes”—in the range OOO-OS7—to be generated from

LINE25

LlNES1-24
*

the keyboard.

LF‘k‘k‘k‘k'k

3 39'

The Auxiliary Keypad

The VT52’s auxiliary keypad operates in one of two
modes. Software can place the terminal in a mode in

which the keypad can be used for data entry, just as the
main keyboard’s numeral keys can be used. If it is desired

Host transmits LF to VT52. Cursor is on the bottom line,
but VT52 may not perform a scroll.

to distinguish between the typing of keys on the keypad

and keys on the main keyboard, software can select a

LINES 1-24

mode in which each key on the keypad transmits a

unique Escape Sequence.
IN NUMERIC-

lNALTERNATE-

KEYPAD MODE,

Typing the key

transmits the

VT52 buffers LF and subsequent characters. Since it

labeled...

following code(s)

cannot process them without scrolling'the display, it

ESC ? p

sends XOFF (023) to request that the host suspend

ESC ? q

transmission.

ESC ? r

ESC ? s
ESC ?t
ESC ? u

ESC ?v

ESC ? w

ESC ? x

ESC ? y
ESC ? n

ENTER

(up arrow)
(down arrow)
(right arrow)
(left arrow)
(left blank key)
(center blank key)
(right blank key)

ESC ? M

ESC A

ESC B
ESC C
ESC D
ESC P
ESC Q
ESC R

ESC 8
ESC C
ESC D
ESC P
ESC Q
ESC R

If the codes transmitted by the “arrow” keys are echoed

LINES 1-24

Operator, having finished reading the display, types the
SCROLL Key to see more lines.

LINES 2-25

Data from the buffer Is now processed. In particular, LF

is processed, causing a scroll. Line 1 leaves the screen;
line 25 begins to appear at the bottom.

back to the terminal, they will cause the cursor to move
one position in the direction the arrow points in.

The CONTROL, SHIFT, and CAPS LOCK keys do not
affect the codes transmitted by the keys on the auxiliary

LINES 2-25

~
XON

*3?

keypad, in either Keypad Mode.
The SCROLL Key

(Significantonly withthe terminal in Hold-Screen Mode.)
UNSHIFTED

Directs the terminal to allow one scroll to

If the entire buffer is exhausted without encountering a
second LF, the VT52 sends XON (021) to the host to
request it to resume transmission. XOFF, XON, and the
VT52 buffer are completely transparent to the user.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions

Height: 360mm (14.1 in.)

selectable. Odd or space possible

with rewiring.

Weight

20 kg (44 lbs)

Operating

DEC STD 102—Class B environment

Cursor

(fixed tab stops every 8 spaces);
direct cursor addressing (allows

10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°F)
Relative humidity 10% to 90%
Minimum dew point 2°C (36°F)

cursor to be moved to any character position on the screen).

(US model) 100-126 volts
(European model) 191-238 volts or

Funchons

(US model) 60 i 1 Hz
(European model) 60 i 1 Hz or

scroll up; scroll down.
Hold-Screen

Mode

110 Watts

Consumption
Power Line

Low Leakage Balun type

Hash Filter

Display

ldenflficafion

Character Matrix: 7 x 7

contact with.

Communications

Code: USASCII extended through

able ASCII subset (upper and

Escape Sequences.
Speed: Switch-selectable.
Transmission rates, full duplex

lower-case, numeric, and

punctuation).
Character Set: Complete 7-bit ASCII

(switch selectable) 75, 110, 150,
300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, and

set (128 codes)

Key layout: Typewriter—rather than
keypunch—format, 63 keys.
Auxiliary keypad: 19-keys: numerals,
cursor-movement, 3 user-definable
function keys.
CAPS LOCK Key: Locks alphabetic
keys to upper-case state, but does
not affect non-alphabetic keys.
Audible Signals

Key-click: Switch-controlled
Bell: Sounds (a) upon receipt of
control characters BEL; (b) when

Keyboard input approaches right
margin (output from host approaching right margin does not cause
bell to ring).

Page Overflow

9600 baud.

Switch—selectable local copy.

Synchronization

Automatically transmits control
codes to host, requesting suspension and resumption of transmission, when unable to process data.

Operator Controls Power On/Off, Intensity Control,
Baud Rate Switch, Terminal Mode
Switch, Key—Click On/Off, Even/
N0 Parity.
Overload

Thermal cutout.

Protection

Case Material

Injection molded Noryl thermoplastic.

Screen Phosphor

LF causes upward scroll; Reverse
Line Feed causes downward scroll.

20mA current loop or EIA interface;

specify at time of order.

Character Set: 96-character display-

Keyboard

sequence unique to its model;

available on any terminal it is in

(0.08 in. x 0.16 in.)
in. x 4.1 in.)

Terminal transmits on command a
software can identify features

Character Size: 2.0mm x 4.0mm

Screen Size: 210mm x 105mm (8.3

from host, preserving data on

software.

Terminal SelfFormat: 24 lines x 80 characters

Allows operator to halt transmission

display. Operator can request new
data, line— or screenful-at-a—time.
Enabled/disabled by Escape
sequences sent by system

50 i 1 Hz

Power

Erase display from cursor position to
end of line; erase to end of screen;

209-260 volts

Line Frequency

Type: Blinking underline.
Control: Up or down one line; right
or left one character; home; tab

Maximum wet bulb 28°C (82°F)
Line Voltage

Even or mark (no parity) switch-

Depth: 690mm (27.2 in.)
Minimum Table Depth: 450mm
(17.7 in.)

Environment

Parity

Width: 530mm (20.9 in.)

Contact your local DIGITAL sales office for prices.