The OpenVMS User's Guide, Second Edition
A broad introductory overview of OpenVMS that focuses on command procedures, text editing and system utilities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS The OpenVMS User's Guide, Second Edition
Chapter 7: Command Procedures
The guiding principle for making the choice [whether to add a new action or write a new program] should be that each program does one thing.
Richard Pike and B. W. Kernighan,
Program Design in the UNIX Environment, 1984
Overview
Command procedures and the various features you can use in them provide you a way of simplifying and streamlining your use of OpenVMS. In this chapter, you will
-
Explore the main features of command procedures
-
Form command procedures with familiar groups of command lines
-
Experiment with new ways to use logical names
-
Begin using global and local symbols to simplify the entry of command lines
-
Customize your working environment with enhanced versions of your LOGIN.COM file
-
Explore file-handling commands used in command procedures
-
Experiment with uses of parameters for command procedures
-
Explore uses of literal and quoted strings
-
Employ commenting techniques to specify key features of command procedures
7.1 Introduction to Command Procedures
A command procedure is a file containing DCL commands and perhaps some data used by the commands. These procedures can help you to simplify and clarify your use of OpenVMS because you can use them to execute many commands with one statement. Command procedures can be short yet powerful, or they can be more complex, performing program like functions. Using command procedures for repetitive or complex tasks will save you time.
7.1.1 Rules and Guidelines for Writing Command Procedures
You can use an editor such as EVE or EDT to write command procedures, or if...
Copyright Butterworth-Heinemann 1998 under license agreement with Books24x7
