Author: C. M. Malpus, Ph.D., University of Leeds, Department of Physioiogy, Leeds, United Kingdom

DATAFILE is a LINCtape-based display-interactive library designed primarily as a transparent system by which data from user programs can easily be stored, edited and retrieved. The only addition needed to any user pragram to add filing capabilities is a short loader routine, and only one memory location is modified when the program is restarted.

Binary programs can also be stored and DATAFILE can be used as a free-standing library. system, started from the console and capable of loading and starting the binary programs filed within it.

DATAFILE thus takes over the binary library and loading facilities of DIAL, and can additionally be called from (and exit to) user programs to file resultant data. Because of its compactness and its increased file and index space it is much more efficient, as well as easier to use, than DIAL for debugged, operational programs.

DFUPDATE is the means by which new binary programs are added to a DATAFILE program library. Programs are transferred from the DIAL binary working area on a LINCtape to a DATAFILE file on the same or another LINCtape, and the index updated accordingly. Once filed by DFUPDATE, such programs can be loaded and started by DATAFILE.

Minimum Hardware: VR 12/14, TC12, TU55 or TU56, TTY, AD12

Restrictions: DECtape Handlers only. No disk I/O

Source Language: DIAL

Catalog: July 1974