TOPS-20 Commands Reference Manual

RUN

Places an executable program in memory and starts it.

Format

@RUN (PROGRAM) filespec /switch

where:

filespec

is the file specification of any executable program.

Default dev:<dir> - DSK:

Default .typ - .EXE

/switch

is /USE-SECTION:n

specifies the memory section (from 0 to 37 octal) in which your program is to run. You can use this switch only if your program can be contained in one section.

Characteristics

Efficiency of RUN

The RUN command does the work of the pair of commands GET and START. It is a faster and less expensive means of executing programs than EXECUTE, or than LOAD and START. Therefore you should store frequently-run programs in .EXE files and run them with this command.

Hints

Alternative to RUN command

When you type only a program name, the system looks for a matching system program. When you precede the program name with the RUN command, the system looks for the program in your connected directory. The RUN command can be eliminated by typing the directory name with the program name. These two commands for example, each run SORTER located in the connected directory:

@RUN SORTER.EXE

@<SMITH>SORTER.EXE

Effect on Memory and Terminal

The RUN command clears any unkept forks, places the specified program in memory, starts it and leaves your terminal at command level in the program (if any), or at TOPS-20 command level.

Related Commands

ERUN for running a system program without disturbing the program already in memory
EXECUTE for running source or object programs
GET for placing an executable program in memory
R for running executable programs stored on SYS:
SAVE for saving a program in executable (.EXE) format
START for starting the program currently in memory

Examples

  1. Run one of your executable programs. 
    @RUN TESTF1.EXE
  2. Mount a structure and access a user's directory on the structure. Run one of his programs. 
    @MOUNT STRUCTURE SNARK:
Structure SNARK: mounted
@ACCESS SNARK:<ELDRIDGE>
Password:
@RUN SNARK:<ELDRIDGE>FT.EXE