Preface




	NOTE: MPE/iX, Multiprogramming Executive with Integrated POSIX, is the latest in a series of forward-compatible operating systems for the HP 3000 line of computers. In HP documentation and in talking with HP 3000 users, you will encounter references to MPE XL, the direct predecessor of MPE/iX. MPE/iX is a superset of MPE XL. All programs written for MPE XL will run without change under MPE/iX You can continue to use MPE XL system documentation, although it may not refer to features added to the operating system to support POSIX (for example, hierarchical directories). Finally, you may encounter references to MPE V, which is the operating system for HP 3000s, not based on PA-RISC architecture. MPE V software can be run on the PA-RISC (Series 900) HP 3000s in what is known as `compatibility mode`.

Getting Started as an MPE/iX Programmer is a manual designed to introduce a programmer to the Hewlett-Packard MPE/iX operating system, which runs on 900 Series HP 3000 computers. It provides:

An overview of the operating system architecture, features, and facilities, explaining the concepts necessary for a programmer to obtain a working knowledge of the system.
References to other manuals for detailed information, syntax, and advanced concepts.

As a prerequisite, you should review the self-paced training course HP 3000 Series 900 Advanced Skills (32650-60039).

Getting Started as an MPE/iX Programmer is part of the Programmer's Series. This series consists of the MPE/iX Intrinsics Reference Manual (32650-90028) and a set of task-oriented user's guides.

How to Use this Manual

If you are new to the subject of programming on the MPE/iX operating system, you should read chapter 1 first. If you are familiar with MPE/iX, turn directly to the chapter that contains the information you need.

For information on additional programming manuals refer to the MPE/iX Documentation Guide (32650-90144).

Organization of this Manual

: The guide contains the following chapters:
Chapter 1: Overview covers the basics of programming on MPE/iX. It introduces the 900 Series HP 3000, HP-PA architecture, and MPE operating systems. It describes the following topics on a high level, suitable for management and programming purposes: MPE/iX operating system features and fundamentals, user interface, accounting structure, migration from the MPE V/E operating system, and data conversion from MPE V/E.
Chapter 2: Utilities and Tools covers programmatic access to the MPE/iX Command Interpreter and many other MPE/iX subsystems and utilities.
Chapter 3: Program Development covers writing, compiling, linking, loading, and running a program on MPE/iX. It discusses the multiprogramming environment, error detection, and control codes.
Chapter 4: Link Editor covers HP Link Editor/XL, which is a subsystem of MPE/iX used to bring pieces of code together into executable program files and maintain libraries of sharable code.
Chapter 5: Optimizing a Program covers the Optimizer subsystem of MPE/iX, which improves program performance.
Chapter 6: File System describes the MPE/iX File System, including file and record structure, File System services, file specifications, file domains, data transfer, and file security.
Chapter 7: Data Management covers data management concepts and subsystems on MPE/iX, including KSAM, ALLBASE/SQL, TurboIMAGE, and QUERY.

Preface

Technical documentation

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