OpenVMS Version 7.2 Release Notes

Updated: 24 May 2001

Order Number: AA--QSBTC--TE

January 1999

This manual describes changes to the software; installation, upgrade, and compatibility information; new and existing software problems and restrictions; and software and documentation corrections.

Revision/Update Information: This is a new manual.

Software Version: OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2
OpenVMS VAX Version 7.2

Compaq Computer Corporation
Houston, Texas

January 1999

Compaq Computer Corporation makes no representations that the use of its products in the manner described in this publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions contained in this publication imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or software in accordance with the description.

Possession, use, or copying of the software described in this publication is authorized only pursuant to a valid written license from Compaq or an authorized sublicensor.

Compaq conducts its business in a manner that conserves the environment and protects the safety and health of its employees, customers, and the community.

The following are trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation: Alpha, AlphaGeneration, AlphaServer, AlphaStation, Bookreader, CDA, CI, Compaq, DEC, DEC Ada, DEC BASIC, DEC Fortran, DEC Notes, DECdirect, DECdtm, DECevent, DECforms, DECmigrate, DECnet, DECpresent, DECthreads, DIGITAL, HSC, HSC40, HSC70, HSJ, HSZ, InfoServer, LAT, LinkWorks, MSCP, OpenVMS, PATHWORKS, POLYCENTER, RZ, StorageWorks, TMSCP, VAX, VMS, and the Compaq logo.

The following are third-party trademarks:

Adaptec is a trademark of Adaptec, Inc.

Adobe, Display PostScript, and PostScript are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

IEEE and POSIX are registered trademarks of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

Java is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks and Windows 95 is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Mosaic is a trademark of the University of Illinois.

Motif is a registered trademark of the Open Software Foundation, Inc.

MultiNet is a registered trademark of Process Software Corporation.

Netscape and the Netscape Navigator are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation.

OSI is a registered trademark of CA Management, Inc.

Spyglass is a registered trademark of Spyglass, Inc.

UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited.

Wind/U is a registered trademark of Bristol Technology Inc.

X/Open is a trademark of X/Open Company Limited.

All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

ZK6534

The OpenVMS documentation set is available on CD-ROM.

This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version V3.2n.

Contents Index

Preface

Intended Audience

This manual is intended for all OpenVMS operating system users. Read this manual before you install, upgrade, or use Version 7.2 of the operating system.

Document Structure

This manual contains the following chapters and appendixes:

Chapter 1 contains release notes that pertain to installing and upgrading the OpenVMS operating systems, as well as hardware-related information.
Chapter 2 contains installation and support information about OpenVMS layered products.
Chapter 3 contains release notes about the general use of the OpenVMS operating system.
Chapter 4 contains release notes specific to system management issues.
Chapter 5 contains release notes that relate to programming on an OpenVMS system, including notes for compilers, linkers, and run-time library routines.
Chapter 6 contains release notes pertaining to OpenVMS device support on Alpha and VAX systems.
Chapter 7 describes the proper use of interlocked memory instructions, which is crucial for the new Alpha 21264 (EV6) processor.
Appendix A contains information about OpenVMS products that are no longer supported, as of this release, or that are slated for retirement.
Appendix B lists remedial kits that are included in OpenVMS Version 7.2.

In Chapters 2 through 5, notes are organized by facility or product name; facilities and products are listed alphabetically. Notes are further classified as changes, problems or restrictions, corrections, or documentation corrections.

This manual contains release notes introduced in the current release and notes from previous OpenVMS versions that still apply to the new release. Margin notes for each release note indicate the version of origin (for example, V7.1).

Notes from previous releases are published when:

The information in the release note has not been documented in hard copy in any other manual in the OpenVMS documentation set, and the note is still pertinent.
The release note may be pertinent in multiple-version OpenVMS Cluster systems.

Reader's Comments

Compaq welcomes your comments on this manual.

Print or edit the online form SYS$HELP:OPENVMSDOC_COMMENTS.TXT and send us your comments by:

Internet openvmsdoc@zko.mts.dec.com

Fax 603 884-0120, Attention: OSSG Documentation, ZKO3-4/U08

Mail Compaq Computer Corporation
OSSG Documentation Group, ZKO3-4/U08
110 Spit Brook Rd.
Nashua, NH 03062-2698

How To Order Additional Documentation

You can order additional documentation on the World Wide Web. If you need help deciding which documentation best meets your needs, call 800-DIGITAL (800-344-4825).

Conventions

VMScluster systems are now referred to as OpenVMS Cluster systems. Unless otherwise specified, references to OpenVMS Clusters or clusters in this document are synonymous with VMSclusters.

In this manual, every use of DECwindows and DECwindows Motif refers to DECwindows Motif for OpenVMS software.

The following conventions are also used in this manual:

Ctrl/ x A sequence such as Ctrl/ x indicates that you must hold down the key labeled Ctrl while you press another key or a pointing device button.

PF1 x A sequence such as PF1 x indicates that you must first press and release the key labeled PF1 and then press and release another key or a pointing device button.

[Return] In examples, a key name enclosed in a box indicates that you press a key on the keyboard. (In text, a key name is not enclosed in a box.)
In the HTML version of this document, this convention appears as brackets, rather than a box.

... A horizontal ellipsis in examples indicates one of the following possibilities:

Additional optional arguments in a statement have been omitted.
The preceding item or items can be repeated one or more times.
Additional parameters, values, or other information can be entered.

.
.
. A vertical ellipsis indicates the omission of items from a code example or command format; the items are omitted because they are not important to the topic being discussed.

( ) In command format descriptions, parentheses indicate that you must enclose the choices in parentheses if you choose more than one.

[ ] In command format descriptions, brackets indicate optional elements. You can choose one, none, or all of the options. (Brackets are not optional, however, in the syntax of a directory name in an OpenVMS file specification or in the syntax of a substring specification in an assignment statement.)

[|] In command format descriptions, vertical bars separating items inside brackets indicate that you choose one, none, or more than one of the options.

{ } In command format descriptions, braces indicate required elements; you must choose one of the options listed.

bold text This text style represents the introduction of a new term or the name of an argument, an attribute, or a reason.

italic text Italic text indicates important information, complete titles of manuals, or variables. Variables include information that varies in system output (Internal error number), in command lines (/PRODUCER= name), and in command parameters in text (where dd represents the predefined code for the device type).

UPPERCASE TEXT Uppercase text indicates a command, the name of a routine, the name of a file, or the abbreviation for a system privilege.

Monospace text

Monospace type indicates code examples and interactive screen displays.
In the C programming language, monospace type in text identifies the following elements: keywords, the names of independently compiled external functions and files, syntax summaries, and references to variables or identifiers introduced in an example.

- A hyphen at the end of a command format description, command line, or code line indicates that the command or statement continues on the following line.

numbers All numbers in text are assumed to be decimal unless otherwise noted. Nondecimal radixes---binary, octal, or hexadecimal---are explicitly indicated.