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TOPS-20 Commands Reference Manual

SET

Sets or modifies various characteristics of your job, a directory, a file, a device, or some other entity.

Format

@SET argument(s) setting(s)

where:

Summary of SET Command Arguments (defaults in boldface)

SET Command Arguments

Characteristics

Affect Only Current Terminal Session

The SET command, except for SET DIRECTORY and SET FILE, applies to the current terminal session only, and in most cases only to the current level of TOPS-20 in that session. Therefore put SET DEFAULT, SET CONTROL-C-CAPABILITY, SET PROGRAM, and other SET commands into your COMAND.CMD file if you want them to be in effect every time you log in or give the PUSH command. Place commands that apply to any level of TOPS-20 in your LOGIN.CMD file.

SYSTEM:REMOTE-PRINTING.CMD

The system-wide file REMOTE-PRINTING.CMD contains SET REMOTE-PRINTING commands to establish printer aliases and characteristics values. The SET REMOTE-PRINTING SYSTEM-DEFINITIONS command sets up remote printing information for a job based on the settings in REMOTE-PRINTING.CMD. Internal tables are built that consist of the command arguments. These tables are used to validate the /CHARACTERISTIC and /REMOTE-PRINTER switch values specified by the user.

You can invoke the SET REMOTE-PRINTING SYSTEM-DEFINITONS command at command level or within a command file.

Hints

Using SET PAGE-ACCESS

A SET PAGE-ACCESS command can take several arguments on the same line, with cumulative effect; contradictions are resolved in favor of the last item given. So SET PAGE-ACCESS 6 EXECUTE NO COPY-ON-WRITE NO WRITE allows a user to execute page 6 but not to change it; SET PAGE-ACCESS 7 NO WRITE WRITE allows changes to page 7.

To Make Modifiable Copies of Write-protected Programs

Because the SAVE command preserves the write protection of files, you should use the SET PAGE ACCESS WRITE or SET PAGE-ACCESS COPY-ON-WRITE command before giving SAVE if you want to save a modifiable copy of a program.

Using SET TIME-LIMIT

Although the SET TIME-LIMIT command is ordinarily used by the batch system to limit the runtime of jobs, you can employ it as a timesharing user to give you a fatal error message when the specified amount of CPU time has been spent. To find out how much of this time you have left, give the SYSTAT . LIMIT and INFORMATION PROGRAM-STATUS commands. The difference between the SYSTAT . LIMIT time and the "Used" time reported by INFORMATION PROGRAM-STATUS tells you the approximate time remaining.

SET Commands Useful for Debugging Programs

SET ADDRESS-BREAK

SET ADDRESS-BREAK shows you how often and for what purpose a memory address is referenced. When an address break occurs, a message will show the memory location at which execution of your program will resume.

SET NO CONTROL-C-CAPABILITY, SET UUO-SIMULATION, SET PAGE-ACCESS

If you are debugging a program, use the SET NO CONTROL-C-CAPABILITY command to ensure that you can use CTRL/C to leave the program. Test a program that traps CTRL/Cs by having it trap, say, CTRL/As instead during debugging. Also, setting NO CONTROL-C-CAPABILITY, NO UUO-SIMULATION, or PAGE-ACCESS NO WRITE NO COPY-ON-WRITE will show you what part of the program (if any) is attempting to use these features.

Alternative to SET FILE PROHIBIT for Non-privileged Users

Even if you do not have sufficient privileges to use the SET FILE PROHIBIT command, you can still do something to delay the removal of important files to off-line storage.

Create a file named MIGRATION.ORDER in each directory for which you wish to control migration. The contents of this file should be the specifications of files that you want to be migrated first, when migration is performed. You may use wildcard characters (* and %) to specify more than one file. To protect source programs, for example, you could specify that executable programs and binary files be migrated first, by listing "*.EXE, *.REL" in MIGRATION.ORDER. To protect edited files, you could list "*.Q*" (this ensures that unedited back-up files produced by the EDIT program be migrated before the edited versions).

Any files not listed in MIGRATION.ORDER will be protected from migration until all listed files have been migrated. Remember that, even without being listed in MIGRATION.ORDER, files are not usually migrated to off-line storage if they have been used or changed within a period of time specified by your system manager.

The SET FILE RESIST command also offers limited protection against involuntary migration.

Using SET REMOTE-PRINTING PRINTER

It is possible that two remote queue names on different clusters may be the same or that a remote queue name may be the same as a LAT port or service name. The target node name or actual name form of the SET REMOTE-PRINTING PRINTER command resolves this problem. The node name or server name distinguishes one identically named printer from another. For example, the following two commands would help avoid confusion in such an instance:
SET REMOTE-PRINTING PRINTER ODIE LASER LAT1
SET REMOTE-PRINTING PRINTER GARFIELD LASER VAXNOD

Restrictions

Using SET Commands in Batch Jobs

Put SET commands into a BATCH.CMD file in your log-in directory if you want them to apply to the first (highest) level of TOPS-20 in batch jobs you submit; put them into COMAND.CMD in your log-in directory if you want them to apply to all levels of TOPS-20 in both batch and interactive jobs. Remember, though, that you must not give SET CONTROL-C-CAPABILITY, SET NO TIME-LIMIT, or SET TIME-LIMIT (or the ATTACH command) within any batch job.

Using SET DIRECTORY Commands

You will be able to use the SET DIRECTORY commands only if your system is instructed at system start-up time to allow them. Otherwise, the system will send you error messages in response to SET DIRECTORY commands.

Using SET REMOTE-PRINTING Commands

In supporting host initiated connections to LATprinters, TOPS-20 users are limited to six character server names.

The remote printer functionality on TOPS-20 does not include features to allow remote systems to access a printer facility local to a TOPS-20 system.

Examples

1. Set the LATE-CLEAR-TYPEAHEAD parameter for your job.

   @SET LATE-CLEAR-TYPEAHEAD
   

2. Find out the placement of your program in memory; set an address break to occur at location 2412 when the instruction it contains has been executed six times. Then give the INFORMATION ADDRESS-BREAK command to see the location and operation for which the current address break has been set.

   @INFORMATION MEMORY-USAGE
   
    5. pages, Entry vector loc 400010 len 254000
   
   0-3           Private   R, W, E
   400           Private   R, W, E
   
   @SET ADDRESS-BREAK 2412,
   @@AFTER 6
   @@EXECUTE
   @@
   @INFORMATION ADDRESS-BREAK
   Address break at 2412 on execute.
   

3. Set defaults for PRINT command switches, then print a file immediately by explicitly supplying an /AFTER switch with an early hour as argument.

   @SET DEFAULT PRINT /LOWERCASE/AFTER:17:00
   @PRINT /AFTER:+0 4-UPED.TXT
   [Job 4-UPED Queued, Request-ID 346, Limit 200]
   @INFORMATION OUTPUT-REQUESTS /USER
   Printer Queue:
   Job Name  Req#  Limit            User
   --------  ----  -----  ------------------------
   * 4-UPED   346    200  LATTA                       On Unit:0
     Started at 16:11:11, printed 0 of 200 pages
   
   There is 1 Job in the Queue (1 in Progress)
   

4. Put an executable program into memory and set the page access of its first page to NO COPY-ON-WRITE; try to deposit a value (32) in memory location 500 of the page (this fails). Then set its page access to COPY-ON-WRITE and try once more, succeeding this time. Give the INFORMATION MEMORY-USAGE command again. Notice that you now have your own copy of the page in memory; it is no longer mapped from the file TESTF1.EXE in your connected directory.

   @GET TESTF1
   @INFORMATION MEMORY-USAGE
   
    1. pages, Entry vector loc 145 len 254000
   
   0             TESTF1.EXE.3  1   R, CW, E
   
   @SET PAGE-ACCESS 0 NO COPY-ON-WRITE
   @DEPOSIT 500 32
   ?Can't write that page
   @SET PAGE-ACCESS 0 COPY-ON-WRITE
   @DEPOSIT 500 32
    [Shared]
   @INFORMATION MEMORY-USAGE
   
    1. pages, Entry vector loc 145 len 254000
   
   0             Private   R, W, E
   

5. Learn what files are opened when you edit a file.

   @SET TRAP FILE-OPENINGS 
   @EDIT LOGIN.CMD
   [Fork EDIT opening SWITCH.INI.3 for reading]
   [Fork EDIT opening LOGIN.CMD.33 for reading]
   Edit: LOGIN.CMD.33
   [Fork EDIT opening EDIT-BUFFER.OUT.100042 for writing]
   *EU
   [Fork EDIT opening EDIT-BUFFER.OUT.100042 for reading]
   [Fork EDIT opening LOGIN.CMD.34 for writing]
   
   [LOGIN.CMD.34]
   

6. Cause a trap to occur whenever the GTFDB JSYS is executed. Then edit a file. The EDIT command invokes the GTFDB JSYS and causes a line to type out in the following format:

   [fork "trap" <location>/<jsys name> "Ac's  1-4:" -
   <ac contents>]
   
   Note that  the  location  is  in  symbolic  form  if  you  so
   specified in the SET TYPEOUT MODE command.
   
   @SET TRAP JSYS GTFDB
   @EDIT LOGIN.CMD
   [EDIT trap 3515/ GTFDB Ac's 1-4: 11 1000004 20321 424153000000]
   [EDIT trap 3562/ GTFDB Ac's 1-4: 11 2000011 4 424153000000]
   Edit: LOGIN.CMD.42
   *EU
   
   [LOGIN.CMD.43]
   

7. Specify that program execution is to halt whenever a GTFDB JSYS causes a trap. Then edit a file. The EDIT command invokes the GTFDB JSYS, causing a trap to occur, which causes the EDIT process to immediately halt.

   @SET TRAP NO PROCEED
   @SET TRAP JSYS GTFDB
   @EDIT LOGIN.CMD
   [EDIT trap 3515/ GTFDB Ac's 1-4: 10 1000004 20321 424153000000]
   

8. Arrange for the system to remind you of a future obligation. Then verify that you will be reminded.

   @SET ALERT MONDAY +11:00:00 Turn in time card 
   @SET AUTOMATIC
   @INFORMATION ALERTS
    Next alert at 8-Jun-84 16:55:00 - Almost time to go home!!
    Other alerts set for:
      11-Jun-84 08:55:00 - Project meeting at 9:00
      14-Jun-84 11:00:00 - Turn in last week's time card by noon
   
     Alerts are automatic
   

9. Set the CHANGE and RADIUS programs to be automatically placed in kept forks when they are run. Then give the INFORMATION PROGRAM-STATUS command to display all the SET PROGRAM settings. Finally, run the CHANGE program. Note that the message [Keeping CHANGE] indicates that the program is being loaded into a kept fork.

   @SET PROGRAM RADIUS KEEP CONTINUE
   @SET PROGRAM CHANGE KEEP CONTINUE
   @INFORMATION (ABOUT) PROGRAM
    Used 0:00:35 in 0:24:09
    TOPS-20: 0:00:00.8
    SET UUO-SIMULATION (FOR PROGRAM)
    SET TYPEOUT MODE NUMERIC
    SET PROGRAM RADIUS KEEP (AND) CONTINUE (WHEN INVOKED AS A COMMAND)
    SET PROGRAM CHANGE KEEP (AND) CONTINUE (WHEN INVOKED AS A COMMAND)
    SET PROGRAM MS KEEP (AND) START (WHEN INVOKED AS A COMMAND)
    SET PROGRAM DSRPLUS KEEP (AND) START (WHEN INVOKED AS A COMMAND)
    => MS (1): Kept, C from IO wait at 104062, 0:00:01.6
   @RUN CAN
   [Keeping CAN]
   CAN>
   

10. Arrange for the system to check for new mail in your MAIL file and the MAIL file of user AI.GROUP. Notice the two messages indicating that you and AI.GROUP have new mail. Then, cancel mail watching for user AI.GROUP.

    @SET MAIL-WATCH
    @SET MAIL-WATCH AI.GROUP
    [You have mail from SMITH at 10:12:11]
    [AI.GROUP has mail from NELSON at 10:12:14]
    @SET NO MAIL-WATCH AI.GROUP
    

11. Use the DIRECTORY command to learn the name of the directory that contains a system program. Then enable your Wheel or Operator privileges and set the system file ephemeral.

    @DIRECTORY SYS:ISPELL
    
       RANDOM:<UNSUPPORTED>
     ISPELL.EXE.1
    @ENABLE
    $SET FILE EPHEMERAL RANDOM:<UNSUPPORTED>ISPELL.EXE
     RANDOM:<UNSUPPORTED>ISPELL.EXE.1 [OK]
    $DISABLE
    @
    

12. Add one of your own directories to the definition of SYS: so that you can run programs in that directory by typing just the program name.

    @DEFINE SYS: => SYS:, STUDENTS:<DBONIN.TOOLS>
    
    Next, set ephemeral  a  file  in  this  directory.   Run  the
    program  in  an  ephemeral  fork  by typing the program name.
    Then  CTRL/C  from  the  program.    Give   the   INFORMATION
    FORK-STATUS  command  and note that the ephemeral fork CHANGE
    has been reset.
    
    @SET FILE EPHEMERAL CHANGE.EXE
    @CHANGE
    CHANGE>^C
    @INFORMATION FORK-STATUS
    => EDIT (1): HALT at 6253, 0:00:00.6
    

13. Run an ephemeral system program and disable the program's ephemeral attribute.

    @SET PROGRAM CHANGE NO-EPHEMERAL
    @CHANGE
    CHANGE>
    

    or

    @R CHANGE
    CHANGE>
    

14. Give the SET STATUS-WATCH command with the INTERRUPT subcommand to specify CTRL/B as the interrupt character. Then give the PAGES subcommand to specify the range of pages to be checked by the interrupt character. Display both settings with the LIST-PARAMETERS subcommand:

    @SET STATUS-WATCH,
    @@INTERRUPT "^B"
    @@PAGES 0:777
    @@LIST-PARAMETERS
    Enabled on "^B",  Checking pages: 1-512
    @
    

    Next run the DSRPLUS program and check its status by typing CTRL/B. This program reads the input file MEMO.RNO and creates the output file MEMO.MEM. Note that the ^B is not displayed on the terminal.

    @DSRPLUS
    DSRPLUS>MEMO.RNO
    
    ^B
    Connected to BLAZE:<ROBBERTS>
    6   PUBLIC:MEMO.RNO.1  [Page 1 of 9. Byte 128(36). Read]
    
    ^B
    Connected to BLAZE:<ROBBERTS>
    7   MEMO.MEM.1  [Page 3. Byte 512(36). Read Write]
    6   PUBLIC:MEMO.RNO.1  [Page 4 of 9. Byte 1280(36). Read]
    
    ^B
    Connected to BLAZE:<ROBBERTS>
    7   MEMO.MEM.1  [Page 8. Byte 3840(36). Read Write]
    6   PUBLIC:MEMO.RNO.1  [Page 8 of 9. Byte 3968(36). Read]
    
    DSRPLUS>
    

    Now look at the above display. The first time CTRL/B is typed, DSRPLUS is reading the first page of the nine page input file MEMO.RNO. The second CTRL/B shows that DSRPLUS is reading page four of the input file and has created three pages of the output file MEMO.MEM. Nearing its completion, DSRPLUS has read eight of the nine input pages and has created an eight page output file.

15. Define the name of the remote printer queue SI$8700 on node OURVAX to XEROX.

    @SET REMOTE-PRINTING PRINTER XEROX SI$8700 OURVAX
    @
    

    Now, assign the alias FAST for the name of the same remote printer queue from XEROX.

    @SET REMOTE-PRINTING PRINTER FAST XEROX
    @
    

16. Define the name of a LATprinter connected to port LBBNA1297Y10X on a server named LAT990 to the alias LN03.

    @SET REMOTE-PRINTING PRINTER LN03 LBBNA1297Y10X LAT990
    @
    

    Now, direct a print request to the LATprinter:

    @PRINT MYFILE.MEM/REMOTE-PRINTER:LN03
    

17. Set some remote printer characteristics.

    @SET REMOTE-PRINTING CHARACTERISTIC P90 52 ;portrait 90 wide
    @SET REMOTE-PRINTING CHARACTERISTIC BOLD 61
    @