TOPS-20 Commands Reference Manual
Appendix B Alphabetical list of TOPS-20 commands
This appendix consists of an alphabetical list of TOPS-20 commands and short descriptions of each. The varieties of argument needed to complete each command are shown next, in the order that you give them; parentheses indicate that the argument is optional or can be defaulted. Last comes the effect of the command on memory - whether it clears memory (by loading a program or by other means) or otherwise alters it, or leaves it unaffected. Use this appendix along with the question mark and recognition features to refresh your memory once you have become familiar with the contents of this manual.
| Command | Function | Arguments | Effect on Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCESS | gets ownership rights to a directory | dev:<directory>,password | --- |
| ADVISE | sends commands to another user's job | user name or terminal number | --- |
| APPEND | adds files onto end of another file | filespecs, (subcommands) | --- |
| ARCHIVE | requests off-line storage of files | filespecs, (subcommand) | --- |
| ASSIGN | allocates a device for your job | device name | --- |
| ATTACH | engages a job to your terminal | user name, (job number) (password) | --- |
| BACKSPACE | moves a magnetic tape backward | device name, number of records or files | --- |
| BLANK | clears your video terminal screen | --- | --- |
| BREAK | ends links made by a TALK command | (user name or line number) | --- |
| BUILD | creates, modifies, or deletes a subdirectory | dev:<directory>, subcommands | --- |
| CANCEL | withdraws output or batch requests | queue, jobname | --- |
| CLOSE | closes open files | JFN | --- |
| COMPILE | translates source programs into object programs | filespecs, switches | loads compiler |
| CONNECT | connects your job to a directory | dev:<directory>, password | --- |
| CONTINUE | continues a halted program | NORMALLY or STAY | --- |
| COPY | makes copies of a file | filespec,filespec (subcommands) | --- |
| CREATE | creates a file | (switches), filespec | loads EDIT |
| CREF | translates .CRF files into listings | (filespec) | loads CREF |
| CSAVE | stores a copy of memory in a file (in compressed format) | (filespec, memory locations) | --- |
| DAYTIME | tells the date and time | --- | --- |
| DDT | starts a debugging program | (switches) | merges debugging program with existing memory (if necessary) |
| DEASSIGN | gives up a previously assigned device | device name | --- |
| DEBUG | debugs a program | filespec, switches | loads program and debugging program |
| DEFINE | establishes or withdraws a logical name | logical name, search list | --- |
| DELETE | marks files for later erasure | filespecs, (subcommands) | --- |
| DEPOSIT | changes contents of a memory location | memory location, octal number | changes one location |
| DETACH | disengages a job from your terminal | (argument) | --- |
| DIRECTORY | gives information about files | (dev:<directory>, filespecs), subcommands | --- |
| DISABLE | deactivates capabilities | --- | --- |
| DISCARD | gives up tape copy of on-line files | filespecs | --- |
| DISMOUNT | gives up access to structure or tape set | alias or setname, switches | --- |
| EDIT | edits existing files | (switches), filespec | loads EDIT |
| ENABLE | activates capabilities | --- | --- |
| END-ACCESS | terminates ownership rights to a directory | dev:<directory> | --- |
| EOF | writes an end-of-file mark on a magnetic tape | device name | --- |
| ERUN | runs a system program in an ephemeral fork | name of system program (switches) | loads program |
| EXAMINE | inspects a memory location | memory location | --- |
| EXECUTE | compiles, loads and starts a program | filespec, switches | loads compiler and/or program |
| EXPUNGE | erases all deleted files from a directory | (dev:<directory>, subcommands) | --- |
| FDIRECTORY | DIRECTORY command with subcommands CRAM,EVERYTHING, and NO HEADING | (dev:<directory>, filespecs), subcommands | --- |
| FORK | specifies what fork is current | fork name or number | --- |
| FREEZE | stops a running fork | fork name or number | --- |
| GET | places an executable program in memory | filespec, (switches) | loads program |
| HELP | presents a short description of a system program | name of system program | --- |
| INFORMATION | gives information about system and job parameters | arguments | --- |
| KEEP | protects a fork from being reset | fork name or number | --- |
LOAD compiles and loads filespec, switches loads
a program compiler
and/or
program
LOGIN begins a job user name, ---
password, account
LOGOUT ends a job --- clears
memory
MERGE merges an executable filespec, adds
program with current (switches) program
memory to
existing
memory
MODIFY changes output or queue, jobname, ---
batch requests switches
MOUNT requests use of alias or setname, ---
structure or tape set switches
PERUSE edits files in (switches), loads
read-only mode filespec editor
PLOT plots files on filespecs, switches ---
plotter
POP returns to superior --- clears
TOPS-20 command memory of
level, ending inferior
inferior TOPS-20 process
command level
PRINT prints files on filespecs, switches ---
line printer
PUNCH punches files on filespecs, switches ---
card punch or paper
tape punch
PUSH begins an inferior --- preserves
TOPS-20 command superior
level memory
R runs a system name of system loads
program program, (switches) program
RECEIVE allows communication argument ---
with your terminal
REENTER starts program in --- ---
memory at the
restart address
REFUSE disallows argument ---
communication with your
terminal
REMARK informs the system --- ---
that you are typing
only comments, not
commands
RENAME changes the filespec, filespec ---
specification of a
file
RESET clears the specified fork name or clears
fork from memory number fork
RETRIEVE restores off-line filespecs ---
files to disk
REWIND rewinds a magnetic device name ---
tape to its load
point
RUN places an executable filespec, loads
program in memory (switches) program
and starts it
SAVE stores a copy of (filespec) ---
memory in a file
SEND sends messages line number ---
to terminals
SET sets various job arguments ---
parameters
SET HOST connects the terminal system name,
to another system switches
SKIP moves a magnetic device name, ---
tape forward number of records
or files
START starts program in (memory location) ---
memory at start
address
SUBMIT submits entries (jobs) filespecs, switches ---
to the batch system
SYSTAT gives information arguments, ---
about system and job (subcommands)
status
TAKE starts processing filespec, ---
of a command file (subcommands)
TALK makes communication user name or ---
links with another terminal number
user
TDIRECTORY DIRECTORY command (dev:<directory>, ---
with subcommands filespecs),
CHRONOLOGICAL WRITE, subcommands
REVERSE, and TIMES
WRITE
TERMINAL sets various argument ---
terminal
characteristics
TRANSLATE gives directory dev:<directory> or ---
names for ppn's and [project-programmer
vice versa number]
TYPE prints files on your filespecs ---
terminal
UNATTACH disengages another job user name, ---
from its terminal (job number)
(password)
UNDELETE restores deleted filespec ---
files
UNKEEP cancels the kept fork name ---
status of a fork or number
UNLOAD unloads a magnetic device name ---
tape and deassigns
the drive
VDIRECTORY DIRECTORY command (dev:<directory>, ---
with subcommands filespecs),
LENGTH, NO HEADING, subcommands
PROTECTION, SIZE,
and TIMES WRITE