22 Sep
2021
22 Sep
'21
8:50 a.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Philip
Pemberton via cctalk
Sent: 22 September 2021 13:22
To: cctalk at classiccmp.org
Subject: Setting up a VMS system
Hopefully a few of the DEC/VMS fans here might be able to help!
I'm on a bit of a quest. I've been given some old VAX/VMS software -- a cross
compiler and some source code -- that I'd like to get running. My goal is to
get the source code building and experiment with the compiler a bit.
OK Well I wonder if it needs a licence. That may be an issue...
Problem is that I've never used VMS before, and
don't have a clue how to
install or use it.
You will find copies of OpenVMS and the documentation on vaxhaven.com.
The commands are generally similar to Unix/DoS but it has many unique quirks.
It creates versions of files. So if you run the same copy command twice, you get two
output files.
Assuming non were there before these will have a ";1" and ";2" on the
end.
I seem to remember the PURGE command cleans this up.
I would just google "openvms vax install simh" and see which one suits your
style of working.
Lots of tutorials too.,
Can any point me to an idiot's guide to VMS, how
to set it up and make it
possible to send files to it from my Linux box?
Well if you are using SIMH you can probably use FTP. If the files are small enough you can
also create an ISO and mount it on OPENVMS
This will be mounted as a "foreign" disk as VMS CDs are written using the VMS
file format.
I'm thinking of using SIMH, unless there's a
better emulator available.
I think its the best but there are many types of VAX,
https://9track.net/simh/
has many variants.
I'm still waiting on a reply from HP with a
hobbyist licence PAK (I've filled out
the form), but I figure I can get started on the learning while I wait.
You won't get one from HP but there are work arounds.
HP has allowed us to share our files. Let me know of list if you need it.
Cheers
Phil.
Dave