[Info-vax] Very simple DCL question

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 1/1/2023 12:02 PM, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2023-01-01 15:52:57 +0000, Arne Vajhj said:
> 
>> On 12/31/2022 7:07 PM, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
>>> On 2022-12-31 21:03:24 +0000, Arne Vajhj said:
>>>> .title  realp
>>
>>> Didn't review the code, definitely some things I'd do different,
>>
>> Probably also better. But ...
>>
>>> but it seems this code is expecting traditional (#8) and not extended 
>>> (#16) parsing.
>>
>>  >>          cmpl    r2,#8                   ; while n <= 8
>>
>>  > #16
>>
>> This is interesting. One can get COM files to accept 16 parameters?
>> How?
> 
> I'd usually suggest reading the manuals.

Fair enough.

But sometimes it is not easy to find the right place.

> Officially: "With OpenVMS Version 8.4, DCL commands and qualifiers have 
> been enhanced to support upto [sic] 16 parameters as command line input 
> with command procedures. For more details on DCL enhancements, see the 
> HPE OpenVMS Version 8.4 New Features and Documentation Overview guide."
> 
> Alas, the OpenVMS User's Guide lacks this particular DCL update. "These 
> symbols, named P1, P2, and so on through P8", "  and... P7 = "" P8 = "" 
> but no P9, and "DCL places parameters passed to command procedures in 
> the local symbols P1 to P8.", etc.  I also see DCL examples with the 
> INQUIRE command used, too. 🤮
> 
> Somebody (and I'm pretty sure I know who it was) did fix the @ 
> documentation in the DCL Dictionary, not that most folks will know or 
> will remember that @ is documented there. 
> https://docs.vmssoftware.com/vsi-openvms-dcl-dictionary-a-m/

Yes. And it points to DCL_CTLFLAGS bit 3.

And that leads to:

https://wiki.vmssoftware.com/DCL_CTLFLAGS

So:

DCL_CTLFLAGS=8

in modparams.dat and autogen.

Maybe I will try it. Even though I don't really have a need
for 16 parameters.

Arne