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Managing a Card Reader (VAX Only)  



On VAX systems, the HP CR-11 card reader reads computer card decks. Users can submit the two following types of card decks for processing:

To ensure that card decks are processed efficiently, you must understand their characteristics and the use of the card reader. The following sections describe which cards you should check before processing a deck through a card reader, and how to determine which cards are damaged.

Distinguishing the Type of Card Deck (VAX Only)  

Before loading a card deck into the card reader, determine:

The following sections describe how to make these determinations.

Batch Job Card Deck (VAX Only)  

A batch job card deck consists of three segments:

The initial two cards in a batch job card deck are the $JOB and the $PASSWORD cards. These cards log in the user and the batch job to the system. Following the initial two cards are program cards. Program cards contain instructions that direct the system to libraries, routines, and data needed to complete the batch job. The last card must be either an end-of-job command ($EOJ) card or an end-of-file (EOF) card. Either of these cards tells the system that this is the end of the job.

Checking Input

The system cannot execute the job without $JOB and $PASSWORD cards. If you are given a card deck with these cards omitted, return the deck so that the user can insert them.

Since the card deck contains the user's password, you must ensure that it is always handled with care to preserve the security of the user's account.

The last card in the deck must be either an $EOJ or an EOF card.

If the last card is not one of these end cards, you can type an end card on the card punch (12-11-0-1-6-7-8-9 overpunch in column 1) and place it at the end of the deck.

Checking Output

The log file produced by a card reader batch job is queued for printing to the default system printer queue, SYS$PRINT. To have the log file queued to a different queue, the user can specify the /PRINTER qualifier on the $JOB card.

If an error occurs while the system is attempting to validate the $JOB and $PASSWORD cards, the operator communication manager (OPCOM) sends to the card operator an error message that reports the job card and the error.

Data Card Deck (VAX Only)  

A data deck contains data that will be either read by a program or copied to a file for later use. The process that reads the data deck is usually associated with an interactive user at a terminal or with a batch job submitted by an interactive user. Since the user and process already are logged in to the system, the first card can contain any data the user specifies. Then, either the program must read the exact number of cards supplied, or the last card must be an EOF card to inform the program that this is the end of the data deck.

When a user wants a data deck to be read, you must make sure the user has allocated the card reader. If the card reader is not allocated, the system tries to submit the deck as a batch job and subsequently flushes the deck through the reader, rejecting the job.

If the program does not read the exact number of cards (as with the COPY command), the EOF card must be the last card in the deck, to inform the program that this is the end of the deck. Without this card, the program waits indefinitely for more cards, and the system prints "card reader off line" messages on the operator's terminal. If the card deck lacks an EOF card, you can type one on a card punch and insert it at the end of the deck.

Setting Card Reader Translation Modes (VAX Only)  

For the system to read input properly, the card reader must be set to the correct translation mode---the same as the translation mode of the card punch that prepares the deck. The system supports 026 and 029 card punches.

Make sure the following conditions exist so you can set the card reader to the correct translation mode:

To set the translation mode of the card reader for many decks of the same type, use the SET CARD_READER command. This command is described in the HP OpenVMS DCL Dictionary. By default, when the system is booted, the translation mode is set to 029.

Running the Input Symbiont Interactively (VAX Only)  

To run the input symbiont interactively and take card image input from an OpenVMS Record Management Services (RMS) file, follow these steps:

  1. Enter a command in the following format: DEFINE/USER_MODE SYS$INPUT filenameFor example:
    $ DEFINE/USER_MODE SYS$INPUT SPECIAL_FILE.DAT 
  2. Enter the following command:
    $ RUN SYS$SYSTEM:INPSMB

Running the input symbiont interactively requires the following access:

All messages are displayed to the terminal rather than to the card operator.


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