VAX VMS 7.3 Survival Guide

Graffiti Wall

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.

    Example:
   
    // Get help on the DIRECTORY command: //
    $ help dir

    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

    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. A separate EVE reference is available at https://livingcomputers.org/UI/UserDocs/OpenVMS-7-3/3_(Editor)_EVE.pdf. The manuals make 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.

Available Languages:

These can be invoked via the command in the left column. Online help is available for these: “HELP <language>” will get you started.

Available Games:

Type

    $ help games
    

for a list of available games and how to run them.