Author: Dr. C. M. Malpus, University of Leeds, Leeds, England

DATAFILE is a LINCtape based interactive library designed primarily as a transparent system by which data from a user program can easily be stored, edited and retrieved. The only addition needed to any user program is a short loader routine, and when the user program is restored to core, the contents of only one register (location 17) are changed from what they were before the loader as enterd. Binary programs can also be store and DATAFILE can act as a free-standing library system started (like LAP6) from console procedure and capable of loading and starting binary programs on file within it. DATAFILE thus takes over the binary library and loading facilities of LAP6, and can additionaly be called from (and exit to) user progrms to file resultant data. Because of its compactness compared with LAP6, and its increased file and index space, it is much more efficient, as well as easier to use, than LAP6 for debugged, operational programs and routines. The 4K LINC-8 version of DATAFILE (issue dated 7/7/70) can operate from tape units 0, 1, 4 and 5 and can file and retrieve data from any unit. Data can be filed and retrieved, or progrms loaded into memory banks 1, 2 and 3. A version of DATAFILE for the PDP-12 is under development which will have no core size limitations.

NOTE FOR 12-26, 12-27, 12-28: The programs previously assigned these numbers were really LINC8 programs and were placed in this section of the catalog in error. See L-124A,B &C.

Source Language: LAP6

Catalog: July 1974