April 3, 1981
Frank R. Borger
Instrumentation Division Head
Department of Medical Physics
Michael Reese Medical Center
29th Street and Ellis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
IAS users
Following is a description of the modifications made to MCR
to allow DCL type commands on a small MCR type IAS system.
The essence of the change is:
1. Dec's MCR is modified by using PAT so that instead
of changing the task name from ...XXX to $$$XXX if
MCR gets an error of "TASK NOT INSTALLED" MCR
changes the task name to "...MAS".
2. The reese task "...MAS", receives the command line,
modifies the syntax, and sends it to the necessary
utility. For example, a command line of "USE 1,1"
has "SET /UIC=[" added to the front, and "]" added
to the back. The command is then sent to "SET".
3. If MASsage does not recognize one of the pseudo
commands, it instead trys to install "XXX.TSX" from
LB:[11,1]. If this is successful it sets the "Re-
move-on-exit" flag for the task, and spawns the
task. If unsuccessful, massage issues the normal
"TASK NOT INSTALLED" message.
4. Massage causes INS to run with a TI: of CO: so
users are not confused by any INS error messages if
they issue an incorrect command.
To install the reese options,
1. Compile and link MASSAGE, and install it in the
system.
2. To be sure you have things right, make a copy of
MCR.OBJ --- "PIP MCR.OBJ;99=MCR.OBJ"
3. Compile the patch to Dec's MCR and use PAT to patch
MCR by using the indirect file "MCRPAT.CMD"
---"@MCRPAT"
4. Task build a test version of MCR (called MCX) by
using the command file MCRDECTKB.CMD. The test
version can be used either by a "SET /CLI" command,
(or just by saying "MCX" to MCR) to verify that the
patched version is working correctly.
5. If the modified MCR MASSAGE combination works, in-
stall the new MCR in your system.
Tips for experienced system hackers.
1. I have included dis-assembled object code for MCR,
experienced hackers could make the change to the
MCR task image via a 3-word zap, (if they are care-
ful.)
2. There are a few massaged commands unique to our
system, (DOC tells the system to print the file at
LP1: which is loaded with 9&1/2 by 11 paper with
perforated edges, suitable for insertion in ring
binders, hence it is used mostly for DOCUMENTS.)
3. Examination of the code in MASSAGE should make it
fairly simple for system users to include their own
command lines into the source.
Contents of this submission:
1. MCRPAT.CMD Command file to assemble the patch and
PAT MCR.
2. MCRPAT.PAT Macro patch source file.
3. MASSAGE.MAC Source for MASSAGE task.
4. MASSAGE.CMD Task build command file for MASSAGE.
5. MCRTKBDEC.CMD Command file to build a test version
of MCR.