VAX VMS 7.3 Survival Guide

Graffiti Wall

The OpenVMS 7.3 User Manual can be found at OpenVMS User’s Manual (archived). 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 Extensible Versatile Editor Reference Manual (archived). 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.