[Info-vax] DCL, was: Re: Microkernel

[FrankS]

On Sunday, August 12, 2012 12:03:52 PM UTC-4, Simon Clubley wrote:
> ... lots ...

Okay, the discussion is about implementing on OpenVMS a command recall facility similar to that available in BASH.  So, my question was related to what you're doing on OpenVMS that makes a more extensive command recall necessary.  Providing examples of what you're doing on BASH doesn't quite cut it for me, because we have ways of working around things on OpenVMS that might not be available on Unix and its variants.

For example, you mention the ability to type a few characters to recall a single, often-used, complex command.  I do that now on OpenVMS by setting up a global symbol in my login procedure.  It's much easier -- IMHO -- to remember the command shortcut and retype it than it is to go through some keystrokes to recall the command from a permanent command buffer.  And if I'm using the same command(s) day in and day out, all day long, then I definitely want a shortcut rather than having to recall it from a command buffer the next day.

The other example you mention is of commands that are often used but require some slight modification.  Again, on OpenVMS I do the same thing using a command procedure.  I can make the procedure as complex or as simple as needed to take a set of parameters and generate the command I need.  For the record, I have no single-line command procedures (for this or any other purpose).

As for popping up a PDF reference library, that example isn't relevant in that all of my OpenVMS access is via terminal emulation.  Not a single DECwindows session in sight.  All my customers use Windows on the desktop, and so I have all my PDF documents organized in Windows such that I can go find the book/library I need fairly easily.  Just a few clicks and I'm in the folder I need, then double-click to bring up the document.  If I need the same document day after day, it's not really a significant problem to go through the same process the next day.

So I'm still unconvinced that the existing OpenVMS facilities need to be augmented by a permanent command buffer, and all the associated headaches related to consolidating those buffers across multiple terminal sessions.