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VAX VMS 7.3 Survival Guide
The OpenVMS 7.3 User Manual can be found at https://livingcomputers.org/UI/UserDocs/OpenVMS-7-3/1_VMS_User_Manual.pdf. This provides details on logging in, using the system, editing and manipulating files, and all manner of DCL shenanigans.
Basic User commands:
$ is the DCL (command) prompt for VMS.
| help | Invokes VMS's extensive on-line help system |
Example:
// Get help on the DIRECTORY command: //
$ help dir
||logout||Logs out of the system and disconnects.||
| dir | (short for “directory) Displays the contents of the current (default) directory |
Example:
// Show the contents of the default directory //
$ dir
Directory SYS$SYSDEVICE:[USER.JDERSCH]
LOGIN.COM;1 HELLO.TXT;1
TCPIP$FTP_SERVER.LOG;4 TCPIP$FTP_SERVER.LOG;3
TCPIP$FTP_SERVER.LOG;2 TCPIP$FTP_SERVER.LOG;1
| set default | Sets the current default directory for file operations | ||
| show system | Displays statistics about the system | ||
| delete | Delete a file | ||
| copy | Copy a file |
Examples:
$ copy HELLO.TXT HELLO_COPY.TXT
$ delete HELLO_COPY.TXT
Editing Files:
See Chapter 8 of the OpenVMS User Manual for details on using EVE, which is the default text editor on Rosencrantz. The manual makes reference to a “Do” key for entering commands. This is a key present on DEC terminals starting with the VT220. If you're using PuTTY to connect to the system, Shift+F6 maps to the “Do” key. On other terminal emulators and ssh clients, this will likely be different: consult the documentation for the program you are using.
Figure 8-2 in the OpenVMS User Manual describes other keyboard mappings that might be useful while editing.
The editor can be invoked via:
$ EDIT <your file name here>
To create a new file or edit an existing file.
Arrow keys can be used to navigate around the document. Ctrl-Z will save your changes and exit the editor. To save your work, Press “Do” and use the WRITE FILE command.
