MULTICS SOFTWARE RELEASE BULLETIN RELEASE MR12.3 PREPARED BY: MULTICS SUPPORT December 01, 1989 Copyright, (C) Bull H N, 1989 TRADEMARKS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Megacalc is a registered trademark of The Mega Group, Inc. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Tektronix is a trademark of Tektronix, Inc. DEC and VT100 are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. VersaTerm is a trademark applied for by Lonnie R. Abelbeck. IBM is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation. VisiCalc is a registered trademark of Visicorp, Inc. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T Bell Laboratories. SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION Multics Release 12.3 (MR12.3) is a complete release and assumes the prior installation of MR12.2. That is, the library tapes are self-supporting and do not require any other information to run Multics. This document includes descriptions of features included in Multics Release MR12.3. A separate document, Software Installation Bulletin (SIB), is supplied with the release tapes. The SIB describes the contents of the release tapes and includes procedures for installation of MR12.3. Additional documentation, including a list of bugs fixed in MR12.3, is provided with the release tapes, either as printable segments on the tape (in a special directory >doc>MR12.3), or as paper copy. Following is a summary of the remaining of sections in this document. Section 2 summarizes important highlights Section 3 describes significant software changes Section 4 describes incompatible changes Appendix A contains a partial list of new commands, active functions, and subroutines DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED 1-1 06/11/90 SRB12.3 Appendix B contains a list of Priced Software Products. These items are available only through contractual actions with a Bull H N sales representative Appendix C describes the associated documentation DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED 1-2 06/11/90 SRB12.3 SECTION 2 HIGHLIGHTS OF MR12.3 This section contains a brief summary of the most important items in this release. Refer to Section 3 for a more detailed description. A brief description of known bugs fixed in this release is available in the segment >doc>MR12.3>TRs_fixed_in_MR12.3. _S_O_F_T_W_A_R_E _C_H_A_N_G_E _P_R_O_P_O_S_A_L_S ox There were no Software Change Proposals (SCP) submitted for release MR12.3. DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED 2-1 06/11/90 SRB12.3 Modified the system command to use the process date_time format rather than the concatenation of the process date and time format for all keywords starting with date_time_**. Added the capability to specify starnames as input to the dsmla command. The dsmla command will now display aliases associated with the specified name as well as the specified name itself. Modified the listing of memos created with a -repeat_when_processed memo control_argument. The change (in the flags description) is from per_process to repeat_when_processed. When copying a non-empty mailbox along with its max_length characterisic, the copy would prematurely terminate with an error of "The requested action was not performed". This is being changed to allow the copy to continue. The consequences are that under this condition, the max_length of the target of the copy will keep the default max_length from when it was created, as opposed to the expected value from the source. The following commands and subroutines will be affected copy, move, copy_dir, move_dir, copy_, copy_seg_ and copy_dir_. Added the gate entry mail_table_priv_$delete_alias_case_ins to permit case-insensitive alias deletions by the update_mail_table_entry command. 1. Modified the display format for display_volume_log to print at 79 characters per line. Also the ability to display the disk label of the volume presented in the volog is added through the -label, -no_label and -all control arguments. 2. Modified display format of display_pvolog to print in columnized output of 79 characters per line. 3. Changed the set_volume_log command to allow the setting of the number of consolidated and inceremental reload groups through the -incr_sets and -cons_sets control arguments. 4. Enhanced the purging mechanism to provide better control over reload groups. 5. Removed the -incr_skip_count argument for the volume dumper commands. The new -purge_volume_log (-pvl) control argument is now used instead. Please use the set_volume_log command to establish the correct reload groups for your site. Please type: "help set_volume_log" for details. Modified the C_compile command's control argument -table (-tb) so it will no longer cause the generation of a linkage editor listing, use the -list (-ls) control argument instead. The C_compile command now finds the default C funtime library using standard search rules. Modified the C runtime system and the DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED 2-2 06/11/90 SRB12.3 execution family of routines to properly set their return values. This value contains information about nonstandard operation of the child process. Added the -version (default) and -no_default control arguments to the PL/1 Compiler. Modified the PL/1 Compiler to generate warnings when an options (constant) variable occurs on the LHS of an assignment statement. Modified the PL/1 Compiler to allow use of the named constants as replication factors. 1. Modified f (rmail-forward) to forward the current message to an address (list) that will be prompted for. A numeric argument will allow the user to enter redistribution comments via a comments buffer. 2. Modified x (rmail-toggle-seen) to toggle the seen switch on the current message. This switch is displayed to the user as the minor mode "Seen" and will be turned on immediately a message is brought into the RMAIL buffer to be displayed. 3. Modified ? (rmail-help) to display brief information about each of the RMAIL mode (additionally the reply and comment buffers) requests that are available. 4. Modified q (rmail-quit) is being modified to only question a user quitting when no rmail commands have been entered between the arrival of new mail and requesting of rmail-quit. Modified emacs -line_length NN control argument so that NN will be expected to describe the useable number of columns on the screen. The value of NN used to be required to be one grater than the screen capability. Added the control order get_event_channel to mowse_io_ so that programs which require the use of a foreground data event channel, such as dial_out, may request the identification of the ipc_event channel. 1. A new keyboard input routine will be added which will allow some EMACS-like editing capabilities on keyboard input before sending a line to the host. 2. Input going to and coming from the host will be trapped by WSTERM to allow the data to be stored to a file and/or printed as it is being displayed. 3. Lines of input will be saved in a circular buffer each time they are entered to allow them to be retrieved later. Modified qedx to allow whitespaces between the "q" request and the NL character. DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED 2-3 06/11/90 SRB12.3 SECTION 4 INCOMPATIBLE CHANGES This version of the assembler contains a new pseudo-op "error", several bug fixes, and discontinuation of the obsolete "followon" pseudo-op. It's use will now incur a B error. The "error" pseudo-op causes the fatal error flag to be set which results in the "Translation failed." message being issued at the end of the assembly. "-nsb" will now be accepted as an abbreviation for "-no_symbols". The assembler will now prevent itself from being invoked recursively. The -incr_skip_count argument for the volume dumper commands has been removed. The new -purge_volume_log (-pvl) is now used instead. DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED 4-0 06/11/90 SRB12.3 APPENDIX A COMMANDS AND SUBROUTINES This is a partial listing of new commands for MR12.3. There are no new subroutines for MR12.3. A brief description of the command functionality is included. Refer to info segments or the appropriate manuals for more information. _N_E_W _C_O_M_M_A_N_D_S There are no new commands or subroutines for MR12.3. DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED A-1 06/11/90 SRB12.3 APPENDIX C DOCUMENTATION CHANGES _C_U_R_R_E_N_T _M_U_L_T_I_C_S _D_O_C_U_M_E_N_T_A_T_I_O_N _S_T_A_T_U_S A complete list of manuals (including current availability status) is provided in >doc>info>manuals.info. Subsequent to this release a SiteSA may obtain an updated list of available manuals at >doc>info>manuals.info on System M. _1_2_._1 _D_o_c_u_m_e_n_t_a_t_i_o_n There are no new or updated publications to support MR12.3. Updates to manuals are provided by errata info files found in >doc>info. Shown below are the errata, with add name, which have been created for MR12.3. errata.ak50.info Sys_Admin_Procedures_manual.info errata.am81.info Sys_Maintenance_Proc_manual.info errata.am82.info Basic_manual.info errata.at58.info Fortran_manual.info errata.az49.info LINUS.info errata.cj52.info EMACS_Ext_Writers_Guide.info errata.gb58.info Common_Commands_manual.info DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED C-1 06/11/90 SRB12.3 For the convenience of new user sites, a complete list of Multics manuals, is provided below. For information about how to order manuals, type "help order_manuals," on your system. AG90 Introduction to Programming on Multics AG91 Multics Programmer's Reference Manual AG92 Multics Commands and Active Functions AG93 Multics Subroutines and Input/Output Modules AG94 Multics PL/I Language Specification AK50 Multics System Administration Procedures AK51 Multics Project Administrator's Guide AK95 Multics APL User's Guide AL39 Multics Processor Manual AM81 Multics System Maintenance Procedures AM82 Multics BASIC AM83 Multics PL/I Reference Manual AN05 Multics GCOS Environment Simulator AN50 Guide to Multics Manuals AS40 Multics Graphics System AS43 Multics COBOL User's Guide AS44 Multics COBOL Reference Manual AT58 Multics FORTRAN Manual AT59 Multics DFAST Subsystem User's Guide AU25 Multics FAST Subsystem Reference Guide AU77 Multics Online Test and Diagnostics Reference Manual AW17 Multics Commands and Active Functions Quick Reference Guide AW32 Multics SORT/MERGE AW53 Multics Relational Data Store Reference Manual AZ49 Multics Logical Inquiry and Update System Reference Manual AZ98 Multics WORDPRO Reference Manual CC69 Multics Report Program Generator Reference Manual CC70 Multics FORTRAN User's Guide CC75 Multics Communications Administration CG40 Multics qedx Text Editor User's Guide CH23 Multics Extended Mail System User's Guide CH24 New User's Introduction to Multics--Part I CH25 New User's Introduction to Multics--Part II CH26 Multics Error Messages: Primer and Reference Manual CH27 Emacs Text Editor User's Guide CJ52 Multics Emacs Extension Writer's Guide CJ97 Multics Page Processing System Utility Manual CP31 Level 68 Introduction to Emacs Text Editor CP50 Multics Text Editor (Ted) Reference Manual CP51 Multics Menu Creation Facilities CX20 Fundamentals of Multics Executive Mail CX72 Executive Mail Editing Operations (Reference Card) CY73 Inter-Multics File Transfer Facility Reference Guide CY74 Multics Forum Interactive Meeting System User's Guide DJ18 Guide to Multics WORDPRO for New Users DU06 Fundamentals of Multics Forum Interactive Meeting System DW19 Multics MegaCalc User's Guide DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED C-2 06/11/90 SRB12.3 DX71 Fundamentals of Multics Executive Forum GB58 Multics Common Commands GB59 DPS 6/Multics Satellite 6M Reference Manual GB60 Multics HASP Service and Utility Manual GB61 Operator's Guide to Multics GB62 Multics Pascal User's Guide GB63 Multics Report Writer Reference Manual GB64 Multics Administration, Maintenance, and Operations Cmds GB65 Mulitics/Personal Computer File Transmission Facilities GB66 Multics On-Line Work Station End User's Guide GL71 Multics Simplified Computing and Filing Facility GN08 Multics Emacs Reference Card HH07 Multics C Compiler User's Guide DRAFT: MAY BE CHANGED C-3 06/11/90 SRB12.3 ----------------------------------------------------------- Historical Background This edition of the Multics software materials and documentation is provided and donated to Massachusetts Institute of Technology by Group BULL including BULL HN Information Systems Inc. as a contribution to computer science knowledge. This donation is made also to give evidence of the common contributions of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bell Laboratories, General Electric, Honeywell Information Systems Inc., Honeywell BULL Inc., Groupe BULL and BULL HN Information Systems Inc. to the development of this operating system. Multics development was initiated by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Project MAC (1963-1970), renamed the MIT Laboratory for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in the mid 1970s, under the leadership of Professor Fernando Jose Corbato. Users consider that Multics provided the best software architecture for managing computer hardware properly and for executing programs. Many subsequent operating systems incorporated Multics principles. Multics was distributed in 1975 to 2000 by Group Bull in Europe , and in the U.S. by Bull HN Information Systems Inc., as successor in interest by change in name only to Honeywell Bull Inc. and Honeywell Information Systems Inc. . ----------------------------------------------------------- Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute these programs and their documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,provided that the below copyright notice and historical background appear in all copies and that both the copyright notice and historical background and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation, and that the names of MIT, HIS, BULL or BULL HN not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of the programs without specific prior written permission. Copyright 1972 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Honeywell Information Systems Inc. Copyright 2006 by BULL HN Information Systems Inc. Copyright 2006 by Bull SAS All Rights Reserved