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Trailing-Edge - PDP-10 Archives - bb-d868e-bm_tops20_v41_2020_dist_1of2 - 4-1-documentation/helper.doc
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HELPER.DOC -- Changes from V5(41) to V7D(52)
January, 1982






























COPYRIGHT (C) 1972,1974,1977,1981,1982 BY
DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, MAYNARD, MASS.


THIS SOFTWARE IS FURNISHED UNDER A LICENSE AND MAY BE USED AND  COPIED
ONLY  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  TERMS  OF  SUCH  LICENSE AND WITH THE
INCLUSION OF THE ABOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICE.  THIS SOFTWARE OR  ANY  OTHER
COPIES  THEREOF MAY NOT BE PROVIDED OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY
OTHER PERSON.  NO TITLE TO AND OWNERSHIP OF  THE  SOFTWARE  IS  HEREBY
TRANSFERRED.

THE INFORMATION IN THIS SOFTWARE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE  WITHOUT  NOTICE
AND  SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSTRUED  AS  A COMMITMENT BY DIGITAL EQUIPMENT
CORPORATION.

DIGITAL ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE USE OR  RELIABILITY  OF  ITS
SOFTWARE ON EQUIPMENT WHICH IS NOT SUPPLIED BY DIGITAL.
HLR7D.DOC                                                       Page 2


HELPER.DOC -- Changes from V5(41) to V7D(52)
January, 1982



1.0  SUMMARY

This is a maintenance release of HELPER which is  being  shipped  with
maintenance  releases  of SCAN 7D and WILD 7D.  The primary purpose of
this release is to eliminate problems caused by  the  length  of  time
since  the  last  release  of HELPER.  The version number of HELPER is
being changed to make it consistent with that of SCAN and WILD.

HELPER version 7D runs on all supported monitors.  It has been  tested
on TOPS-10 V7.01 and TOPS-20 V4.  There are no known deficiencies.


1.1  Function of HELPER

HELPER is a subroutine used to output help texts (HLP:/SYS:??????.HLP)
onto device TTY.  It is entered in one of two ways:

A.   When using this calling sequence, the SIXBIT module  name  should
     be placed in accumulator 1:

           MOVE   1,[SIXBIT /module name/]
           PUSHJ  17,.HELPR
           return to here

B.   When using this calling sequence, the  address  to  the  argument
     block  whose  first  element  is the address of the SIXBIT module
     name (ie.  a FORTRAN or COBOL argument block) should be placed in
     accumulator 16:

           MOVEI  16,[0,,[SIXBIT /module name/]]
           PUSHJ  17,HELPER
           return to here

The return from HELPER is always to the location following the  PUSHJ.
The contents of accumulator 1 on return is not guaranteed.


1.2  System Specific Information

There is now a TOPS-20 switch in HELPER that can be set at compilation
time.   To  compile  TOPS-10  specific  code,  (the  default)  compile
HELPER.MAC with the TOPS20 switch equal to zero.  When TOPS-20  native
code is desired, create a file U.MAC containing the line

          TOPS20==1

Then compile U.MAC+HELPER.MAC.  This  will  permit  the  inclusion  of
HELPER  in  JSYSized programs without using PA1050.  Note that turning
on the TOPS20 feature test is not supported by DEC.
HLR7D.DOC                                                       Page 3


When compiled for running under  TOPS-10,  HELPER  presently  requires
eight  locations  on  the push-down list (provisions should be made to
allow for ten locations to allow future expansion) on which  to  store
and  from which to restore user AC's and Job First Free for use by the
CORE UUO to shrink core back to its original size.  Disk input of  the
HELP text is accomplished on channel 0.

When compiled for running under TOPS-20, HELPER requires ten locations
on the push-down list on which to store and from which to restore user
AC's.  Other locations on the list are for the help text input buffer.
By  using  this method, it is not necessary to map in extra pages, and
no extra memory is used.



2.0  CHANGES FROM HLR5 TO HLR7D

42                      BPK
        JSYSize HELPER and other assorted sundries.

43                      BPK
        Create label HLPVER to store helper version instead
        of using .JBVER
44                      BPK
        Search universal HLP20 for definition of TOPS20

45                      BPK
        Implement new JSYS convention (ie. jsys%)

46                      BPK
        Replace HLPVER with %HELPR and make it accessible
        to LINK.

47                      PY      18-Aug-81
        Change the version number to match SCAN and WILD. Remove
        the reference to HLPR20, use an IFNDEF to default TOPS-10
        version. Change to more informative edit history style.

50                      LCR
        If HLP: does not exist, try SYS: before giving error
        message. Note: This edit was originally installed as
        edit 42 in 1974.

51                      LCR
        Use monitor supplied /MESSAGE setting. Note: This edit
        was installed as edit 43 in 1974.

52                      PY      6-Oct-81
        Re-install the previous two edits, which were lost about
        eight years ago. Also change edit history format retroactive
        to start of this version, and indicate edit level and date
        last version was shipped.
HLR7D.DOC                                                       Page 4


3.0  KNOWN BUGS AND DEFICIENCIES

None.



4.0  INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

To  install  in  any  program,  relink  that  program  using  the  new
HELPER.REL

Note that although there are several programs  which  use  HELPER,  we
will  not necessarily rebuild all of them when HELPER is released.  If
the customer experiences a problem with a program which  is  fixed  by
the  new  versions  of  HELPER,  he  may  rebuild  the  product at his
discretion.



5.0  SUGGESTIONS

Allow use of an extended channel to be used  instead  of  time-sharing
channel 0.

Permit HELPER to run in or be called from extended sections.



[End of HLR7D.DOC]

[HLR5.DOC is appended as an integral part of HLR7D.DOC]
HLR5.DOC                                                        Page 5


HELPER.DOC -- Changes from V4 to V5
October, 1973



1.0  SUMMARY

1.1  This release extends HELPER to  look  at  device  HLP:,  to  read
     sequence  numbered  files, and to improve its error messages.  It
     also adds  an  entry  point  so  that  it  can  be  invoked  from
     FORTRAN-10  and  COBOL  programs.   HELPER version 5 corrects all
     SPRs received through October 10, 1973 (10-11567).

1.2  HELPER version 5 runs on all monitors.  It  has  been  tested  on
     5.06.   There  are  no  known  deficiencies.   This version fully
     supports the DATE75 project.

1.3  HELPER version 5 is documented in a program specification in  the
     Software Notebooks.



2.0  CHANGES

36   (SPR 10-9713) Handle sequenced files.  Also add an error  message
     in  case  of  I/O  errors.   This  message  is "%HLRIOE I/O ERROR
     READING HELP FILE;  I'M SORRY, I CAN'T HELP YOU".

37   (SPR 10-11567) Look on device HLP:  before looking on SYS:.  This
     allows all help files to be removed from SYS:  which should speed
     up LOOKUPs.

40   Add an alternate entry point "HELPER" which can  be  called  from
     FORTRAN-10  or  from  COBOL  with  one  argument, the name of the
     program in SIXBIT.

41   Improve the error message issued when the help file  can  not  be
     found.  It now reads "%HLRNHF NO HELP FILE ON SYS:;  I'M SORRY, I
     CAN'T HELP YOU".



3.0  KNOWN BUGS AND DEFICIENCIES

None.
HLR5.DOC                                                        Page 6


4.0  CHANGES IN INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

None.



5.0  SUGGESTIONS

None.


[End of HELPER.DOC]