This version of CCL is essentially a maintenance release
for V9.1. A few bugs have been fixed; most notably several
typographical errors in SPAWN.MAC. At this point in time,
it is still impossible to support long command lines in
"flying-install" requests under Mplus. The problem lies in the
fact that M still used a command queue for external tasks
with list head @$MCRCB while Mplus now puts all command lines
out in secondary pool. Building a privileged CCL under Mplus
V2.x provides NO advantages, and should be considered an invalid
option. A privileged CCL DOES have advantages for all M versions
and Mplus V1.0.
Some refinements have been made to CCL when its installed
as an alternate CLI. Specifically, if CCL was installed with
a non-proto-type taskname (eg. NOT ...CCL) there was a problem
in not having correctly assigned the TI: device as the task
processes commands from multiple terminals; this has been corrected.
Another problem has been resolved in that CCL may issue a
"syntax error" type message for a command line, but the parent
task spawning the command line would not be notified until CCL exitted.
This was typically a short (to 0) delay as long as CCL was assigned
to a single terminal (installed with proto-type task name).
This version now correctly "EMITS STATUS" to any parent when
errors in processing a command are detected.
Four new symbols are defined at task build time
to improve customizing CCL; CCLCA1/CCLCA2 and CLICA1/CLICA2
define the RAD50 task names for the task CCL should chain
to when a command match cannot be found. CCLCA1/CCLCA2 control
the task CCL chains to when it's installed as ...CA.; CLICA1/CLICA2
control the task CCL chains to when it's installed as an alternate CLI.
Typically, CCLCA1/CCLCA2 are defined as ...CA0, and CCL tasks
installed as ...CA0-...CA8 will still automatically attempt
to chain to the next higher level catchal, eg. ...CA0 -> ...CA1,
...CA4 -> ...CA5. CLICA1/CLICA2 are normally directed to "MCR...".
Setting CCLCA1 and/or CLICA1 to 0 will disable chaining to any
catchall task.
A major new feature has been included with CCL in this
release...Alternate CLI support for MV3.2/MplusV1.0. While more
constrained than DEC's implementation, as much functionality has
been retained to provide a useful tool for users locked into these
older versions of M/Mplus. Consult ALTCLI.DOC(RNO) for a full
description of how alternate CLIs may be installed on these
systems. A proto-type CLI has been included, CLIDSP, along
with command procedures to customize CCL to work with this
"command dispatcher" task. A major design goal in implementing
this functionality was that NO SYSGEN be required !!!
To start blindly, use @ALTCLI.
FORTRAN entry points have been included for all the
alternate CLI routines required (EMST/GCCI/RPOI), but I have
not had time to code a quick FORTRAN CLI to see if it
can fit in the 12Kw address space of a privileged task.
Use of these routines, particularly EMIT-STATUS and REQUEST-
PASS-OFFSPRING-INFORMATION, is not restricted to CLI tasks,
but as presently coded do require the task to be privileged
ans map the executive. If anyone is interested in re-working
these routines so they can be added to RSX's system directives,
I will be glad to provide any support required.
Because of changes in my working environment, I do not have
ready access to M V3.2 or Mplus V2.x. Because of this, many of
the optional patches discussed in ALTCLI.DOC could not be tested
(as was the case for the last release when the problem of building
a privileged CCL under Mplus V2.x went undetected). I would greatly
appreciate hearing, and will respond as best I can, to any problems
or new features that should be incorporated into future releases
of CCL. For instance, anyone in the user community interested
in layering in command line recall/editing with CCL???? If you
can provide me with the line editor code, I can work out the rest.
Paul Sorenson
American Electric Power/Operations Control Systems
1 Riverside Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215
(614)-223-3833