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TOPS-20 Operating System
TOPS-20 command parser is called EXEC. EXEC features built in help, command recognition and completion. If you are new to TOPS-20, try the tops20 command when you LOGIN for an interactive tutorial.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| CTRL-C | Interrupts or quits a job (see reenter) |
| CTRL-F | Try this to show command completion |
| CTRL-T | Prints job status |
| <ESCAPE> | Try this to show completion and guide words |
| CONTINUE | Continues a suspended or quit job |
| DIR | DIRECTORY listing (see vdir) |
| EMACS | The EMACS editor - Try 'TEACH-EMACS' |
| FINGER | Display who is logged in or details on a specific user |
| HELP | The HELP system - Try 'HELP GAMES' |
| INFO | INFORMATION about various subsystems |
| KJOB | KILL JOB - With out args will log you out |
| LOGIN | Login to a user account |
| LOGOUT | Logout from the system, see KJOB |
| REENTER | re-enters a suspended or quit job |
| SYSTAT | System Status - Shows running jobs |
| VDIR | Verbose Directory listing |
The directory structure is hierarchical and some notable directories also include logical names. To see a complete list of defined LOGICAL-NAMES type INFORMATION LOGICAL-NAMES ALL or inf log a
| Directory Name | Logical Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| <DOCUMENTATION> | DOC: | Various Documentation |
| <HELP> | HLP: | The HELP system |
| <SUBSYS> | SYS: | Subsystem utilities and user programs |
| <SYSTEM> | SYSTEM: | The SYSTEM directory - The Monitor and system configuration live here |
| <UNSUPPORTED> | UNS: | 3rd party programs such as games |
PROGRAMMING EXAMPLES USING “COMPILE”, “LOAD” and “SAVE” COMMANDS
TOPS-20 supports many programming languages using a standard COMPILE/LOAD/SAVE model. Here are few simple examples to get started:
FORTRAN-77
@copy TTY: test.for
TTY: => TEST.FOR.1
PROGRAM TEST
WRITE (5, 10)
10 FORMAT(' TESTING 1 2 3!')
END
^Z
@type test.for
PROGRAM TEST
WRITE (5, 10)
10 FORMAT(' TESTING 1 2 3!')
END
@compile test
FORTRAN: TEST
TEST
@load test
LINK: Loading
@save test
TEST.EXE.1 Saved
@v test.*
LS:<SMJ.FORTRAN>
TEST.EXE.1;P775200 6 3072(36) 6-May-2020 15:42:13 SMJ
.FOR.1;P775200 1 71(7) 6-May-2020 15:41:09 SMJ
.REL.1;P775200 1 93(36) 6-May-2020 15:41:46 SMJ
Total of 8 pages in 3 files
Scans of original user and reference manuals can be found at:
https://www.livingcomputers.org/Computer-Collection/Online-Systems/User-Documentation.aspx
