WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF "V A X"
You will find within the following pages some basically
accurate and somewhat useful information on using the VAX-D.
The extent of what is given is GUARNTEED to be enough to get
you onto the VAX SYSTEM and far enough along to get into some
real trouble. Once you have advanced to this plateau of
expertise..............GOOD LUCK..!!!!!
Let's get started:
1. The first operation you need to perform is to..
turn the terminal on. You will find a switch
located on the right side just underneath the
keyboard.....FLIP IT.!
2. Now if the terminal has responded with a 'BEEP'
(That is it's way of saying HELLO ..)
3. First it wants to know 'WHICH SYSTEM WOULD YOU LIKE?'.
Since it is trying to be friendly let's cooperate.
At this point, you need to type 'VAXD'.
IT will now ask you for a 'USERNAME'
(this is the number that your instructor (hopefully)
has given you) It will begin with a 'D' followed by
six numbers beginning with '35????'. ENTER IT.!
The next response you should expect is 'PASSWORD'
followed by a string of X's. At this point you
will enter the remaining four characters or numbers
that your instructor should have given you.
Since your password has been entered, VAX will print
a second string of X's (this is supposed to gobble
up your password so no one else can see it....but
then nobody's perfect), followed by a few lines of
garbage such as Good morning/afternoon! (depending
on the time of day obviously) something about NEWS
(this can be read when you need to look busy and
have nothing else to do!), and last but not least
it really out does itself and gives you a '$'.
CONGRATULATIONS...!!!!!!!! you are now on the VAXD
(just a note: If you read the capital letters
under topic 3, you will notice they spell a
word. F-I-T-S This is what the VAX will
whole-heartily give you...at no monetary charge
to you of course)
INTERESTING THINGS TO DO
All of the following commands are only used at the '$' prompt.
1. DIR - Directory - gives you a listing of the files in
your account.
2. TY - Type - allows you to type an existing file
found in the directory.
TY filename.ext;v
without using an extension number,
the VAX will type the most recent
Version (v) of your file.
3. HELP - - You will find that this command
will be very useful when you are
starting out, but will be used
less as you become more proficient
with the system.
DO NOT..!!!! print this file out.
a copy is available for use in the
COMPUTER CENTER.
4. CONTROLS - These are function keys that may
be used at any time. They are
used by holding down the 'CTRL'
key on the left side of the keyboard
and pressing the associated key.
CTRL is denoted with an '^'
^C / ^Y Cancels (anything)
(suggest to use this key with caution
as files may be lost).
^Z Performs basically the same
function as ^C or ^Y , but "closes"
the file before it cancels.
(also used to exit from the insert
mode of the EDITOR).
^L Clears the Screen.
^S Stops a listing on the Screen.
^Q Restarts a listing that
has been stopped.
5. DEL - DELETE - Allows individual deletion of files from
your account. Be sure to specify the
Version number (V) else all files with the
name used will be deleted.
ex:
DEL VAXPG1.BAS;2
This will delete only the Version 2 of
the VAXPG1.BAS program. If Versions 1 & 3
were existent on the DIR (account) they
would remain untouched.
6. PU - PURGE - Will purge ALL but the most recent Version
of a program in your account. Primarily used
for cleaning up your files, and frees up
block space so that you may add more files.
Be certain that the most recent Version showing
on your DIRectory is a complete and some what
accurate program.
ex:
$ PU
Will PURGE Versions 1 & 2 of VAXPG1.BAS and
leave only Version 3.
(note: the $ is not typed in by the user)
NOW LET'S MESS UP SOME FILES
The easiest way to get frustrated is to try and edit a
file. This will assist you in your frustration.
1. At the '$' prompt, you have access to two editors.
Experience has taught me that the 'EDT' editor is
the easiest to manipulate. The following will be
exclusively 'EDT' commands, for information on the
'SOS' editor and additional information on the 'EDT'
editor, use the help file (ie:$ HELP EDIT/EDT).
(note: again the $ is not typed in by the user)
2. Let's create a file....
At the '$' type 'EDIT filename.ext', and then press
the 'NEWLINE' key. Now I know you are thinking...
what is "filename.ext", well "filename" is a name of
a program that you select, and "ext" is the extension
you wish to associate you filename. Now that you
are totally confused, allow me to assist you.
$ EDIT VAXPG1.BAS 'NEWLINE'
The above statement creates a file called VAXPG1.BAS.
the VAX will assign a Version number reflecting how
many times the program has been edited. Obviously
this will be Version 1 since there was not a file to
begin with.
After the above is typed, the VAX will respond with:
Input file does not exist
[EOB]
*
This is telling you that the file is new, and the
[EOB] represents 'End Of Buffer', or End of Program.
The '*' is the prompt given by the editor command mode.
These are commonly used Editor Commands.
1. I - Insert - allows you to enter lines
into your program.
a "CTRL-Z" (^Z) exits you
from the insert mode and
saves the lines.
2. D - Delete - allows you to delete one or
more lines from your program.
ex:
D1 - deletes line #1
D5 - deletes line #5
D1:5 - deletes lines
#1 through #5.
3. S - Substitute - allows you to make changes
within a line of text.
ex:
THIS IS A TEDT LINE
In the above line of text,
the command:
*S/TEDT/TEXT/'NEWLINE'
changes it to:
THIS IS A TEXT LINE
4. T - Tab - allows you to "jump around" in
your program.
ex:
*T1 - tabs to line 1
*T5 - tabs to line 5
*T1:5 - prints lines 1 through 5.
5. RES - Allows you RESEQUENCE lihne numbers
in intervals of "1". (Inserted lines
get REnumbered with integers, including
any "added lines" in multiples of 0.1).
6. FIND END
SHOW BUFFER - Typing these statements in succession
will show you the end of your file.
(useful whenever you want to 'extend'
a file that you entered at an earlier
time or date)
Now all we need to do is get out of the EDITOR. There are
two ways in which to do this:
1. EXIT - Gets you out of the EDITOR and makes
ALL changes to your program.
2. QUIT - Gets you out of the EDITOR and does
not make any changes to the program.
(note: every time you call a program under an EDITOR
the VAX will create a new Version. VAX-D will only
allow you three Versions of any given program. Be
careful not to inadvertently erase or delete your
program when using the EDITOR. Be certain that
when you run the program, you use the most recent
Version number.
LET'S RUN A PROGRAM:
If and only if you are using the WYLBUR accounts, do you need
be concerned with the following.
(job card) //jobname JOB (ACCT),'your name(ND)',PASSWORD=PSWD
(print card) /*ROUTE PRINT RMT05
(exec card) /* EXEC ********* (*'s indicate compiler
ie:COBOL,PLIXGO,WATFOR,etc.)
(program) ** YOUR PROGRAM GOES HERE **
(end of prog) /*
(input card) //SYSIN DD *
(data) ** YOUR DATA GOES HERE **
(end of file /*
** (note: Depending on your instructor and the
language used, dictates the use of the above.
If this procedure is to be used, ALL of the
above cards are required. There may be
minor differences in the cards
ie: COBOL -vs- WATBOL etc..)
TO SEND A JOB TO MORGANTOWN....
$ SEND filename.ext;v
(Do not press 'NEWLINE' and wait for the 'File_:'
response to enter your program name, this does
not work at the present time)
Will return a message that file has been queued.
IT'S GONE..!!!!!
You will not be able to check on your job status
using the 'SEND' command... so it's hurry up
and wait time.
NOW WHAT TO DO..???
So here you sit apearing to be intellectual and
intelligent, staring at the tube which is staring
back at you and doing absloutely nothing..!! and
far to proud to embarrass yourself by asking
someone what to do..
The prompt awaiting you is a '$'. you may begin
again and edit a new file or.. if you wish...
and I imagine you do... you would like to leave.
This is easily done by typing LOGOFF (or just
'LO' will work).. ah! embarrassment saved..!
GOOD LUCK.!!
