[Info-vax] Some questions on software for VMS 7.3 VAX

[hb]

On 01/11/2016 10:12 AM, lists at openmailbox.org wrote:
> Emacs (not MicroEmacs which is available on the web)

As we learned the other day, you  - ahem I - shouldn't work with VAXes
any more. So this is for entertainment, only:

$ @[-.emacs212_3]configure --with-tcpip=NO --with-x=NO
--WITH-X-TOOLKIT=NO --prefix=bld_root:[LOCAL]
--startupdir=bld_root:[LOCAL.STAR
TUP]
$ ...
$ @BLD_ROOT:[LOCAL.STARTUP]GNU_STARTUP EMACS-21.2 NOLOGICALS
%GNU_STARTUP-I-SETTING_UP,  setting up Emacs version 21.2
$
$ define term vt100
$ runemacs
...
or
$ emacs
[Spawning a new Kept EMACS]
...

Welcome to GNU Emacs

Get help           C-h  (Hold down CTRL and press h)
Undo changes       C-x u       Exit Emacs               C-x C-c
Get a tutorial     C-h t       Use Info to read docs    C-h i
Ordering manuals   C-h RET
Activate menubar   F10  or  ESC `  or   M-`
(`C-' means use the CTRL key.  `M-' means use the Meta (or Alt) key.
If you have no Meta key, you may instead type ESC followed by the
character.)

GNU Emacs 21.2.1 (vax-dec-vms7.3)
 of 2016-01-14 14:23:42 on one of the few remaining VMS machines on Earth
Copyright (C) 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.

...

Interesting, the source code directory indicates version 21.2.3 but
emacs itself prints 21.2.1.

This is based on the emacs21_2.zip from the 8.0 freeware cd. There are a
couple of changes to let emacs make a computer slow. It looks like that
code was never built or tested on VAXes. Also, this VAX is a simh and I
use the console, OPA0:, set to a reasonable baud rate. I can't get it to
work when logged in via telnet to port 60123, which is a simh DZ device,
aka TTA0:. The process hangs in LEF with two busy channels to TTA0:. I
have/had other problems with that device: "-SYSTEM-W-DATAOVERUN, data
overrun" when I type very fast, aka do a cut and paste. So, it's not yet
production quality, but for hobbyists ...

Yes, I had some fun :-)