BASIC
*Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)
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VMS Help BASIC *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX) |
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Invokes the VAX BASIC for OpenVMS VAX compiler.
Format:
BASIC [/command-qualifier]... [source-file [/file-qualifier]... ]...
If you supply one or more file specifications, the compiler compiles the
source file(s). If you do not supply a file specification, you enter the
VAX BASIC environment and receive the Ready prompt.
If you separate source file specifications with commas, the compiler
compiles each module separately and produces multiple object files. If you
separate source file specifications with plus signs (+), the compiler
appends the files and produces a single object file.
| 1 - Release notes |
The release notes for the current version of VAX BASIC are in the file
BASIC039.RELEASE_NOTES which resides in SYS$HELP. The release notes are
also available from within the BASIC environment through the HELP command.
To access them, enter the BASIC environment and type:
HELP RELEASE_NOTES
You can also access the BASIC help file from the DCL command level with
the following command:
$ HELP/LIBRARY=BASICHELP RELEASE_NOTES
2 - /ANALYSIS_DATA
The /ANALYSIS_DATA qualifier controls the creation of a file containing
data analysis information for use by the DECset Source Code Analyzer for
OpenVMS systems (SCA).
The format of the /ANALYSIS_DATA qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]ANALYSIS_DATA[=file-spec]
The file created by the /ANALYSIS_DATA qualifier has a default file type
of .ANA. SCA uses the .ANA file to display cross-reference information
and analyze source code.
The default is /NOANALYSIS_DATA.
3 - /ANSI_STANDARD
The /ANSI_STANDARD qualifier causes VAX BASIC to allow only statements
valid for ANSI Minimal BASIC and to compile programs according to the ANSI
Minimal BASIC rules.
The format of the /ANSI_STANDARD qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]ANSI_STANDARD
The default is /NOANSI_STANDARD.
4 - /AUDIT
The /AUDIT qualifier causes the compiler to include a history entry in
CDD/Repository when extracting a CDD/Repository definition.
The format of the /AUDIT qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]AUDIT[={str-lit }]
{file-spec}
where:
str-lit Is a quoted string.
file-spec Is a file specification.
If you specify a quoted string, the compiler includes it as part of the
history entry. If you specify a file specification, the compiler includes
up to the first 64 lines of the specified file.
When you specify /AUDIT, the compiler also includes the following
information about a CDD/Repository record extraction in the history entry:
o The name of the program module making the extraction
o The time and date of the extraction
o A note that access was made by way of a VAX BASIC program
o A note that the access was an extraction
o The username and UIC of the process accessing CDD/Repository
The default is /NOAUDIT.
5 - /CHECK
The /CHECK qualifier causes the compiler to generate code to test for
arithmetic overflow and for array references outside array boundaries when
the program executes.
The format of the /CHECK qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]CHECK[=({[NO]BOUNDS },...)]
{[NO]OVERFLOW[=([NO]INTEGER,[NO]DECIMAL)]}
{ALL }
{NONE }
where:
BOUNDS Checks array subscripts to ensure that they are within
array boundaries specified by the program.
OVERFLOW Enables the detection of arithmetic overflow for integer
and packed decimal operations.
The /CHECK qualifier specifies that both OVERFLOW and BOUNDS checking are
performed. The /NOCHECK qualifier specifies that no checking is
performed. If you specify /CHECK=OVERFLOW, overflow checking is enabled
for both integers and packed decimal numbers. Similarly, specifying
/CHECK=NOOVERFLOW disables overflow checking for both types of numbers.
Specifying /CHECK=NOBOUNDS means that your program is smaller and runs
faster. However, no error is signaled for an array reference outside the
bounds of an array. This means that the program may get a memory
management or access violation error at run time. Therefore, this option
should be used only for programs that have been thoroughly debugged and
whose execution time is critical.
The default is /NOCHECK.
6 - /CROSS_REFERENCE
The /CROSS_REFERENCE qualifier causes the compiler to generate a
cross-reference listing.
The format of the /CROSS_REFERENCE qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]CROSS_REFERENCE[=[NO]KEYWORDS]
The cross-reference listing shows program symbols, their class, and the
program lines in which they are referenced. The /CROSS_REFERENCE=KEYWORDS
qualifier specifies that the cross-reference listing includes all
references to VAX BASIC keywords. /CROSS_REFERENCE is the same as
/CROSS_REFERENCE = NOKEYWORDS.
The /NOCROSS_REFERENCE qualifier suppresses the creation of a
cross-reference listing. See the Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha and VAX
Systems User Manual for more information on cross reference listings.
The default is /NOCROSS_REFERENCE.
7 - /DEBUG
The /DEBUG qualifier causes the compiler to provide information for the
OpenVMS Debugger and the system run-time error traceback mechanism.
Neither TRACEBACK nor SYMBOLS affects a program's executable code.
The format of the /DEBUG qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]DEBUG[=({[NO]SYMBOLS },...)]
{[NO]TRACEBACK}
{ALL }
{NONE }
where:
SYMBOLS Causes the compiler to provide the debugger with local
symbol definitions for user-defined variables (including
dimension information for arrays).
TRACEBACK Causes the compiler to provide an address correlation
table so the debugger and the run-time error traceback
mechanism can translate absolute addresses into source
program routine names and line numbers.
The /NODEBUG qualifier causes the compiler to suppress information for the
OpenVMS Debugger and the system run-time error traceback mechanism.
For more information on debugging, see the Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha
and VAX Systems User Manual.
The default is /DEBUG = (TRACEBACK, NOSYMBOLS).
8 - /DECIMAL_SIZE
The /DECIMAL_SIZE qualifier lets you specify the default size for packed
decimal data. You specify the total number of digits in the number and
the number of digits to the right of the decimal point.
The format of the /DECIMAL_SIZE qualifier is as follows:
/DECIMAL_SIZE=(d,s)
where:
d Is the total number of digits in the number.
s Is the number of digits to the right of the decimal
point.
The default decimal size applies to all decimal variables for which the
total number of digits and digits to the right of the decimal point are
not explicitly declared. See the Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha and VAX
Systems Reference Manual for more information about packed decimal
numbers.
The default is /DECIMAL_SIZE = (15, 2).
9 - /DEPENDENCY_DATA
If you have CDD/Repository V4.0 installed on your system and if your
current CDD$DEFAULT is a CDO-format dictionary, you can use the
/DEPENDENCY_DATA qualifier to generate a compiled module entity in the
CDD$DEFAULT for each compilation unit.
The format of the /DEPENDENCY_DATA qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]DEPENDENCY_DATA
You must specify this qualifier if you want %INCLUDE %FROM %CDD and
%REPORT %DEPENDENCY directives to establish dependency relationships.
If /NODEPENDENCY_DATA is specified, the compiler does not generate a
compiled module entity.
The default is /NODEPENDENCY_DATA.
10 - /DESIGN
The /DESIGN qualifier enables Program Design Facility (PDF) processing.
The format of the /DESIGN qualifier is as follows:
/DESIGN[=({COMMENTS },...)]
{PLACEHOLDERS}
In order to use all of the capabilities of PDF, you must have the Compaq
Language-Sensitive Editor Version 3.0 or later / Source Code Analyzer
Version 2.0 or later for OpenVMS VAX Systems installed on your system. If
you specify the /ANALYSIS_DATA qualifier, the compiler includes
information on comments and placeholders in the analysis data file.
To enable comment processing, specify /DESIGN=COMMENTS; to enable
placeholder processing in place of BASIC syntax, specify
/DESIGN=PLACEHOLDERS.
/DESIGN is the same as /DESIGN=(COMMENTS, PLACEHOLDERS).
The default is /NODESIGN.
11 - /DIAGNOSTICS
The /DIAGNOSTICS qualifier controls the creation of a diagnostics file
containing compiler messages and diagnostic information for use by the
Compaq Language-Sensitive Editor (LSE).
The format of the /DIAGNOSTICS qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]DIAGNOSTICS[=file-spec]
LSE uses the diagnostics file to display diagnostic error messages and to
position the cursor on the line and column where a source error exists.
If you do not supply a file specification with the /DIAGNOSTICS qualifier,
the diagnostics file has the same name as its corresponding source file
and a default file type of .DIA. All other file specification attributes
depend on the placement of the qualifier in the command.
The default is /NODIAGNOSTICS.
12 - /DOUBLE
The /DOUBLE qualifier specifies that floating-point variables are double precision. This qualifier is present for compatibility with previous versions of VAX BASIC. You should use the /REAL_SIZE qualifier to specify the precision of floating-point variables.
13 - /FLAG
The /FLAG qualifier lets you specify whether the compiler informs you
about declining features, compatibility with PDP-11 BASIC-PLUS-2, and
compatibility with Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha.
The format of the /FLAG qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]FLAG[=({[NO]BP2COMPATIBILITY},...)]
{[NO]DECLINING }
{[NO]AXPCOMPATIBILITY}
{ALL }
{NONE }
The /NOFLAG qualifier suppresses any warning messages about declining
features, compatibility with PDP-11 BASIC-PLUS-2, and compatibility with
Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha.
/FLAG = ALL is the same as /FLAG = (BP2COMPATIBILITY, DECLINING,
AXPCOMPATIBILITY). /FLAG = NONE is the same as /NOFLAG, and /FLAG is the
same as /FLAG = ALL.
The default is /NOFLAG.
14 - /INTEGER_SIZE
The /INTEGER_SIZE qualifier lets you specify the default size for integer
data.
The format of the /INTEGER_SIZE qualifier is as follows:
/INTEGER_SIZE={BYTE}
{WORD}
{LONG}
The default integer size applies to all integer variables whose data type
is not explicitly declared. See the Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha and
VAX Systems User Manual for more information about integer data types.
The default is /INTEGER_SIZE = LONG.
15 - /LINES
The /LINES qualifier makes line number information available for the ERL
function, and the BASIC error reporter.
The format of the /LINES qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]LINES
If your program contains a RESUME statement with no target or a reference
to the error-handling function ERL, VAX BASIC overrides the /NOLINES
qualifier and signals "ERL overrides NOLINE" or "RESUME overrides NOLINE".
Note that the BASIC error reporting facility is separate from that of
system traceback.
The /NOLINES qualifier causes line number information to be unavailable
for the ERL function, the RESUME statement (with no target) and the BASIC
error reporter. If you specify /NOLINES, your program runs faster and the
program size is reduced (this eliminates five bytes of code and four bytes
of data for each program line number). However, if you specify /NOLINES,
the following restrictions occur:
o You cannot use RESUME without a line number.
o You cannot use the ERL function.
o No BASIC line number is given in run-time error messages.
This option should be used only for programs that have been thoroughly
debugged and whose execution time is critical.
The default is /LINES.
16 - /LISTING
The /LISTING qualifier causes the compiler to create a source listing
file.
The format of the /LISTING qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]LISTING[=file-spec]
To create a listing file with an explicit file specification, you must use
the /LISTING qualifier in the form /LISTING = file-spec. Otherwise, the
listing file has the same name as its corresponding source file and a file
type of .LIS. All other file specification attributes depend on the
placement of the qualifier in the command.
Note that the /LISTING qualifier only controls whether or not the compiler
produces a listing file. The /SHOW qualifier controls which parts of the
listing are produced.
The default is /NOLISTING from a terminal, and /LISTING in batch mode.
17 - /LONG
The /LONG qualifier specifies that integer variables are LONG. This qualifier is present for compatibility with previous versions of VAX BASIC. You should use the /INTEGER_SIZE qualifier to specify the precision of integer variables.
18 - /MACHINE_CODE
The /MACHINE_CODE qualifier controls whether the listing file contains a
list of compiler generated machine code.
The format of the /MACHINE_CODE qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]MACHINE_CODE
The /NOMACHINE_CODE qualifier suppresses compiler generated machine code
in the listing file.
The default is /NOMACHINE_CODE.
19 - /OBJECT
The /OBJECT qualifier causes the compiler to produce an object module, and
optionally specifies its file name.
The format of the /OBJECT qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]OBJECT[=file-spec]
By default, the compiler generates object files as follows:
o If you specify one source file, the compiler generates one object
file.
o If you specify multiple source files separated by plus signs, the
compiler appends the files and generates one object file.
o If you specify multiple source files separated by commas, the compiler
compiles and generates a separate object file for each source file.
o You can use both plus signs and commas in the same command line to
produce different combinations of appended and separated object files.
To produce an object file with an explicit file specification, you must
use the /OBJECT qualifier, in the form /OBJECT=file-spec. Otherwise, the
object file has the same name as its corresponding source file, and a file
type of .OBJ. All other file specification attributes depend on the
placement of the qualifier in the command.
The /NOOBJECT qualifier suppresses the creation of an object file. During
the early stages of program development, you may find it helpful to
suppress the production of object files until your source program compiles
without errors.
The default is /OBJECT.
20 - /OLD_VERSION
The /OLD_VERSION qualifier is provided for compatibility with previous
versions of VAX BASIC.
The format of the /OLD_VERSION qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]OLD_VERSION[=CDD_ARRAYS]
When you use the /OLD_VERSION qualifier, the compiler changes the lower
bound to zero and adjusts the upper bound of the array. For example,
Array 2:5 in CDD/Repository is translated by the compiler to be an array
with a lower bound of 0 and an upper bound of 3. The compiler issues an
informational message to confirm the array bounds.
The /NOOLD_VERSION qualifier causes the compiler to extract an array from
CDD/Repository with the bounds as specified in the data definition. For
example, Array 2:5 in CDD/Repository is translated by the compiler to be
an array with a lower bound of 2 and an upper bound of 5.
CDD/Repository assumes a default lower bound of 1, if none is specified.
Therefore, if no lower bound is specified, the compiler translates the
CDD/Repository array to have a lower bound of 1. For example, Array 5 in
CDD/Repository is translated by the compiler to be an array with a lower
bound of 1 and an upper bound of 5.
The default is /NOOLD_VERSION.
21 - /OPTIMIZE
The /OPTIMIZE qualifier controls whether the compiler optimizes the
program to generate more efficient code for optimum run-time performance.
The format of the /OPTIMIZE qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]OPTIMIZE
The default is /OPTIMIZE.
22 - /REAL_SIZE
The REAL_SIZE qualifier lets you specify the default size for
floating-point data.
The format of the REAL_SIZE qualifier is as follows:
/REAL_SIZE={SINGLE}
{DOUBLE}
{GFLOAT}
{HFLOAT}
The default floating-point size applies to all floating-point variables
whose size is not explicitly declared. See the Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS
Alpha and VAX Systems User Manual for more information on floating-point
data types.
The default is /REAL_SIZE = SINGLE.
23 - /ROUND_DECIMAL
The /ROUND_DECIMAL qualifier causes the compiler to round packed decimal
numbers rather than truncate them.
The format of the /ROUND_DECIMAL qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]ROUND_DECIMAL
The /NOROUND_DECIMAL qualifier causes the compiler to truncate packed
decimal numbers rather than round them.
The default is /NOROUND_DECIMAL.
24 - /SCALE
The /SCALE qualifier specifies a scale factor between zero and six,
inclusive. The scale factor affects only double-precision numbers.
The format of the /SCALE qualifier is as follows:
/SCALE=n
The /SCALE qualifier helps to control accumulated round-off errors by
multiplying floating-point values by 10 raised to the scale factor power
before storing them in variables. The /SCALE qualifier is ignored for all
but double-precision floating-point numbers.
NOTE
The /SCALE qualifier is provided for compatibility with
existing programs and with other implementations of VAX
BASIC. Compaq recommends that you do not use this feature
for new program development. Accumulated round-off errors
can be better controlled with packed decimal numbers. See
the Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha and VAX Systems
Reference Manual for more information on packed decimal
numbers.
The default is /SCALE = 0.
25 - /SHOW
The /SHOW qualifier determines which parts of the compilation listing are
created. The /LISTING qualifier must have been specified for the /SHOW
qualifier to have any effect.
The format of the /SHOW qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]SHOW[=({[NO]CDD_DEFINITIONS},...)]
{[NO]ENVIRONMENT }
{[NO]INCLUDE }
{[NO]MAP }
{[NO]OVERRIDE }
{ALL }
{NONE }
where:
CDD_DEFINITIONS controls whether the translation of a CDD/Repository
record is displayed in the listing.
ENVIRONMENT lets you display all defaults that were in effect when
the program was compiled.
INCLUDE controls whether files accessed with the %INCLUDE
directive are displayed in the listing.
MAP determines whether the listing contains an allocation
map. The allocation map lists all program variables,
their size and their data type.
OVERRIDE helps you debug code by disabling the effect of the
%NOLIST directive.
The /NOSHOW qualifier causes the compiler to display only the source
listing.
/SHOW = ALL is the same as /SHOW = (CDD_DEFINITIONS, ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDE,
MAP, OVERRIDE). /SHOW = NONE is the same as /NOSHOW. /SHOW is the same
as /SHOW = ALL.
The default is /SHOW = (CDD_DEFINITIONS, ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDE, MAP,
NOOVERRIDE).
26 - /SINGLE
The /SINGLE qualifier specifies that floating-point variables are single precision. This qualifier is present for compatibility with previous versions of VAX BASIC. You should use the /REAL_SIZE qualifier to specify the precision of floating-point variables.
27 - /SYNTAX_CHECK
The /SYNTAX_CHECK qualifier causes VAX BASIC to perform line-by-line
syntax checking.
The format of the /SYNTAX_CHECK qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]SYNTAX_CHECK
When syntax checking is enabled, VAX BASIC immediately checks the syntax
of every text line as soon as you type a carriage return. When syntax
checking is disabled, VAX BASIC does not perform syntax checking until you
COMPILE or RUN the program.
The /NOSYNTAX_CHECK qualifier causes VAX BASIC to suppress line-by-line
syntax checking.
The default is /NOSYNTAX_CHECK.
28 - /TRANSLATE
The /TRANSLATE qualifier causes the Compaq BASIC Translator to be invoked if it has been installed (See DB2VB).
29 - /TYPE_DEFAULT
The /TYPE_DEFAULT qualifier lets you specify the default data type for
numeric variables.
The format of the /TYPE_DEFAULT qualifier is as follows:
/TYPE_DEFAULT={INTEGER }
{REAL }
{DECIMAL }
{EXPLICIT}
Specifying EXPLICIT means that all program variables must be explicitly
declared in DECLARE, EXTERNAL, COMMON, MAP or DIM statements. Specifying
INTEGER, REAL, or DECIMAL means that variables and data which are not
explicitly declared default to integer, real or packed decimal. To
specify the actual size of variables and data, use the INTEGER_SIZE,
REAL_SIZE and DECIMAL_SIZE qualifiers.
The default is /TYPE_DEFAULT = REAL.
30 - /VARIANT
The /VARIANT qualifier lets you specify the value associated with the
lexical variable %VARIANT.
The format of the /VARIANT qualifier is as follows:
/VARIANT[=int-const]
See the Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha and VAX Systems User Manual or
Compaq BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha and VAX Systems Reference Manual for more
information about the /VARIANT qualifier and the %VARIANT lexical
variable.
If the /VARIANT qualifier is not specified, the value of %VARIANT is 0.
If the /VARIANT qualifier is specified without a value, the value of
%VARIANT is 1.
The default is /VARIANT = 0.
31 - /WARNINGS
The /WARNINGS qualifier lets you specify whether the compiler displays
informational or warning messages.
The format of the /WARNINGS qualifier is as follows:
/[NO]WARNINGS[=({[NO]WARNINGS },...)]
{[NO]INFORMATIONALS}
{ALL }
{NONE }
Specifying /WARNINGS=NOWARNINGS causes the compiler to suppress warning
messages. Specifying /WARNINGS=NOINFORMATIONALS causes the compiler to
suppress informational messages.
The /NOWARNINGS qualifier causes the compiler to suppress any
informational or warning messages.
/WARNINGS = ALL is the same as /WARNINGS = (INFORMATIONAL, WARNINGS).
/WARNINGS = NONE is the same as /NOWARNINGS.
The default is /WARNINGS = (INFORMATIONAL, WARNINGS).
32 - /WORD
The /WORD qualifier specifies that integer variables are word length. This qualifier is present for compatibility with previous versions of VAX BASIC. You should use the /INTEGER_SIZE qualifier to specify the precision of integer variables.
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