February 10, 2003: The RUNOFF source file of this document has not been located. This file is the result of scan, OCR, and manual touchup, starting with one of the originally distributed hectograph copies.
CC-244 MAC-M-193
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Project MAC
TO: CTSS users.
FROM: J. H. Saltzer
SUBJECT: TYPSET and RUNOFF, Memorandum editor and type-out
commands.
DATE: November 6, 1964
The command TYPSET is used to create and edit 12-bit
BCD line-marked files. This command permits editing and
revising by context, rather than by line number. The
command RUNOFF will print out a 12-bit BCD line-marked file
in manuscript format. RUNOFF contains several special
features not available with the DITTO command, including
type-justification.
These two commands provide an alternative to the MEMO,
MODIFY, and DITTO commands, and are intended to provide
experience with a different approach to editing symbolic
files.
This memorandum was prepared with the aid of these two
commands.
PAGE 2
An Edlt-by-Context Program
Program Name: TYPSET
Description:
TYPSET is a command program used to type in and edit
memorandum files of English text. TYPSET, along with the
command RUNOFF, is an alternative to the commands MEMO,
MODIFY, and DITTO. Editing is specified by context, rather
than line number, and input is accomplished at high speed
since the program does not respond between lines. TYPSET
reads and produces files in a line-marked format. The
command program REMEMO will convert a file in MEMO-MODIFY
format to the line-marked format. After some minor editing
the file can be used with RUNOFF.
Usage:
TYPSET name
"name" specifies the primary name of a file to be edited, or
a file to be created. or it may be absent, in which case a
file is to be created and named later by the "FILE" request.
The secondary name of the file is "(MEMO)".
When TYPSET is ready for typing to begin. the word
"Input" or "Edit" is typed, and the user may begin. If he
is creating a file, he begins in high-speed input mode; if
he is editing a file he begins in edit mode,
High-Speed Input Mode.
In high speed input mode, the user may type lines of up
to 360 characters in length (e.g.. 120 underlined
PAGE 3
characters) separated by carriage returns. He does not wait
for response from the program or the supervisor between
lines, but may type as rapidly as desired, The full
character set of his keyboard may be used.
The user leaves high-speed Input mode, and enters edit
mode by typing an extra carriage return, No response is
typed by the program.
Edit mode.
In edit mode, the program recognizes "requests" of the
form given below, Except where a request is expected to
cause a response. such as "PRINT," successive requests may
be entered immediately on successive lines without waiting
for a response from the program, Each separate request must
begin on a separate line, Any responses from the program
are typed in red
Requests.
Editing is done line by line. Conceptually, we may
envision a pointer which at the beginning of editing is
above the first line of the file. This pointer is moved
down to different lines by some requests, while other
requests specify some action to be done to the line next to
the pointer. All requests except FILE may be abbreviated by
giving only the first letter. Illegal or misspelled
requests will be commented upon and ignored.
PAGE 4
FIND character string
This request moves the pointer down to the first line
which begins with the given character strlng. Only enough
of the line need be specified to uniquely identify it.
Since the pointer only moves down through the file the
second occurrance of a line starting with a given character
string may be located by giving the FIND request twice.
It is not necessary to count blank characters exactly.
If one blank character appears at some point in the request
string, any number of blank characters or tabs at the
corresponding point in the file will be deemed to satisfy
the request. If 2 blank characters appear together in the
request string, there must be at least two blank characters
or tabs at the corresponding point in the file, etc.
If the FIND request falls to locate a line beginning
with the given character string, a message is printed, and
the pointer is set to point after the last line in the file,
Any requests which were typed in between the FIND which
failed and the message from the program about the failure
are ignored. Another FIND request will move the pointer
back to the top of the file to begin another scan down
through the file.
PRINT n
Starting at the pointer. n lines are printed out. The
pointer is left at the last line printed. If n is absent, 1
line is printed and the pointer is not moved. If the
pointer is not at a line (e.g.. above or below the file, or
PAGE 5
at a line just deleted) only a carriage return is typed.
NEXT n
This request moves the pointer down "n" lines. If "n"
is absent, the pointer is moved to the next line.
TOP
This request moves the pointer back to above the first
line in a file.
DELETE n
This request deletes "n" lines, starting with the line
currently being pointed at. The pointer is left at the last
deleted line if "n" is absent, the current line is deleted
and the pointer not moved.
INSERT
This request returns the user to high speed input mode.
All lines typed are inserted after the line being pointed
at. If the very first edit request given is an INSERT, the
inserted lines are placed at the beginning of the file. If
an INSERT is given after FIND has run off the bottom of the
file, the inserted lines are placed at the end of the file.
When the user returns to edit mode by typing an extra
return, the pointer is set to the last inserted line.
ERASE c
The character "c" becomes the erase character.
Normally, the character "#" is the erase character. (The
erase character is used to delete the previously typed
PAGE 6
character or characters.)
KILL c
The character "c" becomes the kill character,
Normally. the character "#" is the kill character. (The
kill character is used to delete the entire line currently
being typed.)
CHANGE "string 1"strlng 2" G
In the line being pointed at, the string of characters
"string 1" is replaced by the strlng of characters "string
2". Any character not appearing within either character
string may be used in place of the double quote character.
If the letter "G" is absent, only the first occurrance of
"strlng 1" will be changed. If "G" is present, all
occurrances of "string 1" will be changed. Blanks in
CHANGE-request strings must be counted exactly.
Example: If the line being pointed at reads:
it is a nice day in Boston,
the request
CHANGE "is"was"
would cause the line to read:
it was a nice day in Boston.
The request
CHANGE xwasxlsx
will restore the line to its original state,
The request
PAGE 7
CHANGE ' '.' g
will change all blanks to periods, and the line reads
it.is.a.nice.day.in.Boston.
The request
CHANGE '.''
will delete the first period, and the line now reads:
itis.a.nice.day.in.Boston.
The line can be restored to its original form by:
CHANGE "tis"t is"
CHANGE '.' , G
CHANGE 'on 'on.'
FILE name
The edited file is filed as "name (MEMO)". If "name"
is absent, the original name will be used, and the older
file deleted. If no name was originally given, the request
is ignored and a comment made.
SPLIT name
All the lines above the pointer are split into a file
named "name (MEMO)". Any old copy of "name (MEMO)" is
deleted. The remainder of the file may still be edited, and
filed under another name. The SPLIT request may be used
several times during a single edit, if desired. Unless at
least one "TOP" request has been given, "name" must be
different from the original name of the file being split.
PAGE 8
Backspacing.
The backspace key may be used to create overstuck or
underlined characters. All overstruck characters are stored
in a standard format, independent of the way they were typed
in. CHANGE- and FIND-request strings are also converted to
this standard format, so it is not necessary to remember the
order in which an overstruck character was typed in order to
identify it. For example, suppose the line:
The NØRMAL MØDE statement of MAD
had been typed in by typing the letters NORMAL, five
backspaces, a slash, and four forward spaces. The slashed Ø
can be changed to a normal O by typing
CHANGE 'Ø'O'
Restricted Names and Recovery Procedures.
Two special names are used for intermediate files by
TYPSET. They are
(INPUT (MEMO)
(INPT1 (MEMO)
Following a quit sequence (or a CTSS system breakdown)
one of these files may be found. (Whenever a quit sequence
has been given, a SAVE command should be issued to save the
status of all files.) Since the intermediate file generally
contains a complete copy of the file at the end of the last
pass, it may be renamed and used as a source file, and may
permit recovery of lost requests. The original file is
never deleted until the new, edited file has been
PAGE 9
successfully written and closed.
The user's disk status and file directory are updated
at the end of each pass through the file, thereby providing
additional insurance against accidental loss. If an
automatic logout occurs during use of TYPSET, the 12-bit
indicator is lost. After resuming the logout saved file,
press interrupt once; the TYPSET program will then restore
the 12-bit mode. The program is now in edit mode and
requests may be typed.
PAGE 10
Summary of TYPSET requests
possible
abbreviation request response
D DELETE (n) end-of-flle
N NEXT (n) end-of-flle
I INSERT none
E ERASE x none
K KILL x none
F FIND string end-of-flle
P PRINT (n) printed lines,
end-of-flle
T TOP none
C CHANGE QxxQyyQ (G) none
FILE (name) no name given
S SPLIT name no name given
Optional parameters are shown in parentheses.
PAGE 11
A Right-Justifying Type Out Program
Program Name: RUNOFF
Program Description:
RUNOFF is a command used to type out memorandum files
of English text in manuscript format. Control words
scattered in the text provide detailed control over the
format, if desired. Input files may be prepared by the
context editor, TYPSET.
Usage:
RUNOFF name
or RUNOFF name n
or RUNOFF name NOSTOP n
where "name" is the primary name of a file "name (MEMO)" to
be typed out. If a number, "n" is present, typing starts
with the page numbered "n", The optional parameter "NOSTOP"
is explained below, under "Non-Stop Typing."
Control Words:
Input generally consists of English text, 360 or fewer
characters to a line. Control words must begin a new line,
and begin with a period so that they may be distinguished
from other text. RUNOFF does not print the control words.
.append A
Take as the next input line the first line of A (MEMO).
PAGE 12
.line length n
Set the line length to "n". The line length is preset
to 60.
.indent n
Set the number of spaces to be inserted at the
beginning of each line to "n". Indent is preset to 0.
.single space
Copy is to be single spaced. This mode takes effect
after the next line. (The normal mode is single space.)
.double space
Copy is to be double spaced. This mode takes effect
after the next line.
.begin page
Print out this page, start next line on a new page.
.adjust
Right adjust lines to the right margin by inserting
blanks in the line. The next line is the first one
affected. (This is the normal mode.)
.nojust
Do not right-adjust lines.
. fill
Lengthen short lines by moving words from the following
line; trim long lines by moving words to the following line.
(This is the normal mode.) A line beginning with one or
PAGE 15
more blanks is taken to be a new paragraph, and is not run
into the previous line.
.nofill
Print all lines exactly as they appear without right
adjustment or filling out.
.page n
Print page numbers. (The first page is not given a
page number. It has instead a two-inch top margin.) If "n"
is present, print out the present page immediately, and
number the next page "n".
.space n
Insert "n" vertical spaces (carriage returns) in the
copy. If "n" carries spacing to the bottom of a page,
spacing is stopped. If "n" is absent or 0, one space is
inserted.
.header xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
All of the line after the first blank is used as a
header line, and appears at the top of each page along with
the page number, if specified.
.break
The lines before and after the .break control word will
not be run together by the "fill" mode of operation.
.center
PAGE 13
The following line is to be centered between the left
and right margins.
.literal
The following line is not a control word, despite the
fact that it begins with a period.
All control words may be typed in either upper case or
lower case. Illegal control words are ignored by the RUNOFF
command. A comment may appear to the right of a control
word, as long as it is on the same line.
Manuscript Conventions.
The RUNOFF program assumes a page length of 11 inches,
with 6 vertical lines per inch. The top and bottom margins
are 1 inch, except for the first page which has a 2-inch top
margin. If page numbers are used, they appear flush with
the right margin, 1/2 inch from the top of the page. If a
header is used, it will be on the same line as the page
number. The first page is not numbered, or given the header
line unless the control words ".header" and ".page 1" appear
before the first line of text.
Customary margins are 1 1/2 inches on the left and 1
inch on the right, implying a 60-character line. This is
the standard line length in the absence of margin control
words.
The program stops between pages and before the first
page for loading of paper. The paper should be loaded so
PAGE 17
that after the first carriage return typing would take place
on line 1 of the paper. The left margin stop of the
typewriter should be placed at the point typing will begin,
and the right margin moved as far right as possible. If you
now type the first carriage return, the program will
continue typing.
Tabs.
Tabs included in the text are faithfully reproduced in
the final copy. Since there will be interactions between
inserted tabs and the right-adjust and fillout procedure,
the control word .nofill should precede any use of tabs. If
you wish to indent, say, a whole paragraph, with
right-adjustment and filling, change "indent" and "line
length" rather than using a tab at the beginning of each
line.
In order to type out a memo which uses tabs, the
typewriter tab stops and left margin must be set up
properly. These may be noted within the memo for future
reference by taking advantage of the fact that illegal
control words are ignored. One might type, for example,
.tab stops at 6, 11, 16, and 21; left margin at 0.
as the first line of his memo.
Backspacing.
Underlining or overtyping may be accomplished with the
aid of the backspace key, even in a line that is subject to
PAGE 18
right adjustment.
Non-stop Typing.
If continuous form paper is used, RUNOFF can be
instructed to not stop between pages by inserting the
parameter "NOSTOP" after the file name (and before any
initial page number) when the command is typed, e.g.
RUNOFF ALPHA NOSTOP
Abbreviations.
All control words may be abbreviated if desired. A
list of abbreviations is given in the summary. In most
cases, a single word is abbreviated by giving its first two
letters; two words are abbreviated by giving the first
letter of each word.
PAGE 17
Summary of RUNOFF Control Words.
abbreviation control word automatic break
.ap .append A no
.ll .line length n no
.in .indent n no
.ss .single space yes
.ds .double space yes
.bp .begin page yes
.ad .adjust yes
.fi .fill yes
.nf .nofill yes
.nj .nojust yes
.pa .page (n) yes, if n
.sp .space (n) yes
.he .header xxxx no
.br .break yes
.ce .center yes
.li .literal no
If "automatic break" is yes, the lines before and after
the control word will never be run together, and the
previous line will be printed out in its entirety before the
control word takes effect.
PAGE 18
A Program to Convert MEMO files.
Program name: REMEMO SAVED
Usage:
RESUME REMEMO name1 name2
REMEMO takes as input the binary file "name1 MEMO"
which is produced by the commands MEMO, and MODIFY. It
produces as output a line-marked file "name2 (MEMO)",
suitable for use with the TYPSET and RUNOFF commands. Since
the secondary names are distinct. the same name may be used
for "name1" and for "name2" with no danger of deleting the
original file.
Restrictions:
The resulting line-marked file should be printed out
with the PRINT request of the TYPSET command, to check for
SPACE and CHANGE TYPE BALL control words, which have been
converted to a code-word by MEMO or MODIFY. These control
words must be edited back to their original form.
Note that RUNOFF does not recognize any equivalent of
the following DITTO control words:
.FOOTNOTE
.END FOOTNOTE
.COMMENT
.CHANGE TYPE BALL
.END COMMENT