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4-documentation/output-spoolers.doc
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DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
THIS SOFTWARE IS FURNISHED UNDER A LICENSE AND MAY BE USED AND COPIED
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OF THE ABOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICE. THIS SOFTWARE OR ANY OTHER COPIES
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SOFTWARE ON EQUIPMENT WHICH IS NOT SUPPLIED BY DIGITAL.
OUTPUT-SPOOLERS.DOC -- Changes from version 3 to version 4 Page 2
SUMMARY
1.0 SUMMARY
This document describes the changes in the output device spoolers for
release 4 of the TOPS20 spooling subsystem.
NOTE
This is one of 5 documentation files that
exist for the batch and spooling software.
Refer to the GAL4.DOC file for an overview
of this release.
This document primarily discusses the following programs:
1. LPTSPL.EXE
2. SPROUT.EXE
In the area of output device driving and output spooling, release 4 is
primarily concerned with performance issues. There are, however, a
significant number of functional enhancements and a few changes.
OUTPUT-SPOOLERS.DOC -- Changes from version 3 to version 4 Page 3
EXTERNAL CHANGES
2.0 EXTERNAL CHANGES
2.1 Changes Applicable To The System Operator
1. The most significant change involving the system operators is
that the operator no longer types commands directly to LPTSPL
or SPROUT. For Release-4, A new Operator Interface was
developed and it is through this interface that the operator
controls all batch and output spooling processors.
2.2 Changes Applicable To All Output Device Users
1. Each job placed in the output queue by a PRINT, PUNCH or PLOT
command gets a unique identifier called a 'request-id' assigned
to it. This request-id, unlike the existing 'sequence' number,
uniquely identifies the queue request. The request-id may be
used on the CANCEL and MODIFY commands and they appear in the
queue listing rather than the sequence number. Note that
request-ids are reassigned whenever the system is restarted and
therefore they should never be built into automated procedures.
A sequence number may still be assigned to each job by the user
and may be used for automated procedures. Sequence numbers are
displayed in the queue listing if the /ALL option is requested.
2. The maximum allowable value on the /PRIORITY switch is now 20
rather than 62.
3. The /DESTINATION-NODE: switch may be used to route files to
remote stations. This switch is valid only for Line Printer
output. Remote station devices other then the Line Printer are
not supported in Release-4.
4. A new switch called /NOTIFY may be used on PRINT/PUNCH/PLOT
commands. If this switch is given, the system will notify the
user at his terminal when his PRINT/PUNCH/PLOT request is
complete.
5. The /ACCOUNT switch may be used to specify an account string to
be used for billing. If one is not specified, it is defaulted
to the users logged in account string.
6. The /UNIT: switch may be specified to direct the users output
to a specific output device.
7. The /GENERIC switch may be user to specify that the request be
printed/plotted/punched on any available printer/plotter/punch.
OUTPUT-SPOOLERS.DOC -- Changes from version 3 to version 4 Page 4
KNOWN BUGS AND DEFICIENCIES
3.0 KNOWN BUGS AND DEFICIENCIES
Remote station spooling to output devices other then the line printer is
not supported in Release-4.
4.0 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
4.1 Files Needed To Drive Printers, Card & Paper-Tape Punches And Plotters
Given a running release 4 TOPS20 system with QUASAR, ORION, and OPR, an
installation requires SPROUT.EXE and LPTSPL.EXE in order to drive the
Line Printers, Card & Paper-Tape Punches, and Plotters.
4.2 Instructions For Installing Output Device Driving Programs
SPROUT.EXE and LPTSPL.EXE are all supplied on the SYS area of the TOPS20
release tape and will be installed automatically during system
installation.
4.3 Files Needed To Build Output Device Spoolers
Normally, any change to the GALAXY subsystem will be include running the
GALGEN program to generate a new GALCNF.MAC configuration file.
4.4 Instructions For Building Output Device Spoolers
5.0 INTERNAL CHANGES
Release 4 contains a number of changes to virtually all components of
the batch and spooling subsystem. These common changes include:
1. Full conversion of all programs to run in 'native' mode on both
the TOPS10 and TOPS20 operating systems. (Note: some programs
like LPTSPL already ran in native mode on both systems).
2. Use of the GALAXY runtime library by all components.
3. Removal of explicit operator interfaces in all relevant
programs and inclusion of an OPR/ORION interface.
4. Increased modularization of many programs.
In addition to these changes, The Output Device Spoolers had the
following internal changes:
OUTPUT-SPOOLERS.DOC -- Changes from version 3 to version 4 Page 5
INTERNAL CHANGES
1. LPTSPL will drive any type of supported local/remote line
printer. This includes THE DN60/5 (IBM Remote) in termination
mode and the DN200 remote station.
2. Spooling to Mag tape support has been added to LPTSPL.
3. LPTSPL now supports fast backspace.
4. LPTSPL Now supports the Align function for Aligning special
forms.