Preface

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.

About This Manual

This manual describes changes to MPE/iX as of Release 4.5 and 5.0. The major changes introduced as of these releases enhance MPE/iX to make it "POSIX-compatible." POSIX is an IEEE standard for a portable operating system interface to support source-level application portability. This document introduces the enhancements by means of a tutorial, conceptual background chapters, and chapters that present tasks associated with the new features of MPE/iX.

Who This Manual Is For

This manual is for experienced HP 3000 system administrators, system programmers, application developers, and other MPE/iX system users who are interested in learning about Release 4.5 and 5.0 enhancements.

All readers of this document should be familiar with performing the following tasks:

Chapters 3, 7, and 8 are specifically for experienced system administrators. These readers should be familiar with the following tasks:

What's in Each Chapter

Chapter 1 is a tutorial for anyone who wants to learn about what's new by trying some of the commands. This chapter also includes a brief overview of the new features. All users should read this chapter.

Chapter 2 provides a conceptual overview of what's new. It includes information about MPE/iX file and directory name syntax and lists new and changed commands and utilities. All users should read this chapter.

Chapter 3 summarizes the major changes that system administrators need to know about such as the addition of the user and group databases, backup and restore changes, expanded search capabilities, and security enhancements.

Chapter 4 provides an overview of new and enhanced features accessible through MPE/iX system intrinsics. The new features described are hierarchical directories, MPE/iX byte-stream files, renaming a file across account boundaries, and append mode. Security, object ownership, and file manipulation commands and intrinsics have been enhanced. Although the information in this chapter is particularly relevant for programmers, other advanced users would benefit from reading it.

Chapter 5 defines directories and explains how to name and create them. It also includes step-by-step instructions on how to list directories, list directory contents, move from one directory to another, determine the amount of space used by directories, and delete directories. All users should read this chapter.

Chapter 6 describes changes to tasks that relate to files including naming files, listing files, displaying files, deleting files, working with byte stream files, and spooling files. All users should read this chapter.

Chapter 7 describes the group and user databases and how they are created, and tells how to keep them up to date. It also discusses new options provided when adding users onto MPE/iX. This chapter is most relevant to system administrators.

Chapter 8 describes storing and restoring files, explains new options to the STORE and RESTORE commands, and reminds system administrators to modify the backup procedures to back up the hierarchical file system.

Chapter 9 presents enhancements to file system security. It includes a brief discussion of access control definitions and access modes and describes tasks such as listing ACDs and changing access to files and directories. This chapter is most relevant to system administrators, but it includes information for all users.

The Glossary defines many of the new terms used throughout this manual.

For More Information

For information on MPE/iX, refer to the full MPE/iX documentation set. The MPE/iX Documentation Guide (32650-90144) describes all available manuals.

For details on new commands, refer to the MPE/iX Commands Reference Manual, Volumes I & II (32650-60115).

For details on intrinsics, refer to the MPE/iX Intrinsics Reference Manual (32650-90028).

For information on error messages, refer to the Error Message Manuals, Volumes I, II, & III (32650-60016).

Refer to the IEEE 1003 Standards documents, for information about the POSIX standards:

Additional manuals are available with the MPE/iX Developer's Kit (36430A). This kit is an optional product for programmers planning to develop POSIX applications or use POSIX functions in programming applications on MPE/iX. The MPE/iX Developer's Kit includes the following manuals:

How to Use This Document

This document is written for a broad audience. Certain sections are more relevant to some readers than others. The following table shows you what to read depending on your focus and what kind of information you need.

	NOTE: If you normally work within an application while using MPE/iX, you don't need to read this manual. It is for people who work from the MPE/iX command interpreter (CI).