VMS Help REQUEST  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

    Displays a message at a system operator's terminal and optionally
    requests a reply. All messages are logged at the operator's
    console and in the operator's log file, if that file is
    initialized.

    To use this command, you must start the operator communication
    process (OPCOM) at boot time by specifying the DCL command
    @SYS$SYSTEM:STARTUP OPCOM in the site-specific startup command
    file, SYS$MANAGER:SYSTARTUP.COM.

    Format

      REQUEST  message-text

1 - Parameter

 message-text

    Specifies the text of the message to be displayed. The string can
    be up to 128 characters. If the string contains spaces, special
    characters, or lowercase characters, enclose it in quotation
    marks (" ").

2 - Qualifiers

 2.1 - /REPLY

    Requests a reply to the message and issues a unique
    identification number to which the operator sends the response.
    The system displays a message that the operator has been
    notified; you cannot enter any commands until the operator
    responds. If you press Ctrl/C before the operator responds, you
    can then enter another message to the operator, or press Ctrl/Z
    to cancel the request.

 2.2 - /TO

       /TO=(operator[,...])

    Specifies one or more operators to whom you want to send the
    message. Possible keywords are as follows:

    CARDS              Sends the message to operators designated to
                       respond to card reader requests.

    CENTRAL            Sends the message to the central system
                       operator.

    CLUSTER            Sends the message to operators designated to
                       respond to cluster-related requests.

    DEVICES            Sends the message to operators who mount and
                       dismount disks.

    DISKS              Sends the message to operators who mount and
                       dismount disk volumes.

    NETWORK            Sends the message to the network operator.

    OPER1 to OPER12    Sends the message to operators identified as
                       OPER1 to OPER12.

    PRINTER            Sends the message to operators designated to
                       handle print requests.

    SECURITY           Sends the message to operators designated to
                       respond to security-related requests.

    TAPES              Sends the message to operators designated to
                       mount and dismount tape volumes.

3 - Examples

    1.$ PRINT/COPIES=2/QUEUE=LQ_PRINT  REPORT.OUT/FORM=LETTER
        Job REPRT (queue LQA1, entry 401) pending
      $ REQUEST/REPLY/TO=PRINTER -
      _$"Have queued job 401 as FORM=LETTER;  can you print it?"
      %OPCOM-S-OPRNOTIF, operator notified, waiting...10:42:16.10
      %OPCOM-S-OPREPLY, AFTER 11:00
       14-DEC-2001 10:25:32.40, request 3 completed by operator OPA0

      In this example the PRINT command requests that multiple copies
      of a file be printed using a special paper (/FORM=LETTER).
      After queueing the job to the printer, the REQUEST command
      sends a message to the system operator.

      The operator sends a reply after completing the request.

    2.$ REQUEST/REPLY  "Are you there?"
      %OPCOM-S-OPRNOTIF, operator notified, waiting...14:54:30.33
 <Ctrl/C>

      REQUEST-Enter message or cancel request with ^Z
      REQUEST-Message?<Ctrl/Z>
      %OPCOM-S-OPRNOTIF, operator notified, waiting... 14:59:01.38
      %OPCOM-F-RQSTCAN, request was canceled

      In this example the REQUEST command issues a message and
      requests a response. When no operator replies to the question,
      Ctrl/C is used to interrupt the request; then Ctrl/Z is used to
      cancel it.