TOPS-20 Commands Reference Manual

ENABLE

Enables any special capabilities you may have.

Format

@ENABLE (CAPABILITIES)
$

Characteristics

Dollar Sign Prompt

The ENABLE command causes the system to print a dollar sign prompt ($), indicating enabled capabilities, in place of the standard at sign prompt (@). The dollar sign prompt is printed after ENABLE even if you have not been granted any capabilities.

Capabilities of Log-In Directory Only

The ENABLE command activates only those capabilities that have been granted to the owner of your log-in directory. You do not receive any capabilities as a result of CONNECT or ACCESS commands or group memberships.

Hints

Displaying Capabilities

Capabilities are defined by your login directory but are a characteristic of your job and can be enabled in any directory to which you connect. To list your capabilities, give the INFORMATION DIRECTORY command for your login directory.

More Information

Capabilities are assigned with the BUILD command. See the BUILD command subcommands in this manual for brief descriptions of special capabilities.

Special Cases

Dollar Sign Prompt in Batch Jobs

Because a dollar sign placed in the location of a TOPS-20 prompt could be confused with a batch command, the system precedes the enabled prompt with a space for batch jobs.

Capabilities Changed While Logged In

Capabilities are given to your job when you log in. If your capabilities are changed while you are logged-in, you must log out and log in again for the change to take effect.

Warning

Disabling Capabilities Promptly

Because your commands are much more powerful if you have capabilities enabled, you should disable them as soon as you have finished using them. Otherwise you or a program that you run could accidentally damage the system.

Related Commands

DISABLE for suspending any capabilities that the system manager has given you
INFORMATION DIRECTORY (for for finding out which capabilities, the login directory) have been granted to you.

Examples

  1. Enable your capabilities.
    @ENABLE
    $
    
  2. Try to assign a tape drive to your job before taking it off line for repairs. But it is already assigned to another user, whose terminal is set to refuse links. Enable your capabilities and ask him to deassign the tape drive. Then disable capabilities.
    @ASSIGN MTA2:
    ?MTA2: Already assigned to job 29
    @SYSTAT 29
      29      53   EXEC    R.SCHNEIDER
    @TALK R.SCHNEIDER
    ?Refused, send mail to the user instead
    @ENABLE
    $TALK R.SCHNEIDER
    LINK FROM F.DOMINO, TTY 221
    $;ROBIN - PLEASE DEASSIGN MTA2:.  IT MUST BE TAKEN OFF LINE
    $;FOR MAINTENANCE.  USE MTA3: INSTEAD.  THANKS.
    @;OKAY, SURE.
    @DEASSIGN MTA2:
    @
    $BREAK
    $DISABLE
    @