GEARBOX LANGUAGE EXTENSIONS VERSION 1 RELEASE 2 IBM Announcement Letter Number 289-558 dated October 24, 1989 IBM US - Last Revised on October 24, 1989 Brief Description of Announcement, Charges, and Availability GEARBOX (TM) Language Extensions for PC-DOS and GEARBOX Language Extensions for Operating System/2 (TM) (OS/2 (R)) programs have been enhanced to support the GEARBOX Model 800. GEARBOX Language Extensions for PC-DOS and OS/2 are designed to allow GEARBOX Model 800 and 7552 users to write programs that take advantage of the unique features of the processors, such as power-fail notification, that are not a part of other IBM industrial computers. (TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. (R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. PROGRAM ONE-TIME NUMBER CHARGE 5601-052 $650 5601-136 800 Planned Availability: March 1990 Customer Letter Section HIGHLIGHTS o Adds support for GEARBOX Model 800 o Adds support for FORTRAN language o OS/2 support for run-time dynamic linking o OS/2 support for full Presentation Manager (TM) applications o Supports additional Hex display and digital output point on GEARBOX Model 800 o OS/2 support for user to prevent repeated re-IPLs o OS/2 support for user to specify maximum application load time o OS/2 support of watchdog timer to detect application errors (TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. DESCRIPTION GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs provide all the functional capability of their predecessors, the IBM 7552 Language Extensions for DOS and the IBM 7552 Language Extensions/2 for OS/2 and are extended to support the GEARBOX Model 800. All of the functions, including syntax and parameter types, provided in the first release are preserved. GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs support all models of the 7552 as well as the GEARBOX Model 800. In addition to support for C, PASCAL, BASIC, and Macro Assembler, Version 1 Release 2 adds support for the FORTRAN language. Include files are now provided which declare the type and syntax of each of the function calls for each of the supported languages. This relieves the application developer from this necessary task and reduces application development time. Under OS/2, true run-time dynamic linking of the Language Extensions function is now supported. An application using this version will load if the dynamic link library cannot be found but will return an error code on the first call to the dynamic link library. The application can process this error code under its own control. This function allows, for example, an application to be written to use the 7552 features but only use them when installed on a 7552. The previous version required such an application to have the Language Extensions product installed even if not running on a 7552. To support Presentation Manager applications, a SetMsgHandler function is added to specify the Presentation Manager window being used. Note that this new function is supported only for those languages supported by the Presentation Manager API and toolkit. Therefore, include files are provided only for COBOL/2 (TM) (C/2 (TM)) Version 1 Release 1 and Macro Assembler/2 (TM) Version 1. (TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Using GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs an application can now write to the system digital output (DO) point #1, used to signal a catastrophic failure. This allows an application to signal a catastrophic application error. The GEARBOX Model 800 has an additional hex display on the processor adapter. This release allows an application to write data to that display. Both of these features are only supported on the GEARBOX Model 800. An application running on OS/2 can specify that the system be reset (re-IPLed) on certain error conditions. On a GEARBOX Model 800, GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs causes a halt to be done before performing a reset. This stops the system from repeatedly re-IPLing when an error such as an I/O channel check or double bit ECC error occurs during operating system or application load. This feature is not supported on 7552 models. A maximum application load time can be specified using Release 2 under OS/2. If this time expires before a call to a Language Extensions function, DO #2 is set and the system resource hex display displays a 'CF'. System processing is not affected in any other manner. This function can be used to detect a system or application error. A function is also provided on OS/2 which can be used to detect certain types of application errors during execution of the application. A watchdog timer can be set and terminated under application control. If the timer is not acknowledged before the user-specifiable time has expired, DO #2 is set and a 'CE' is displayed on the system resource adapter display. System processing is not affected in any other manner. This feature can be used to determine application errors that stop the application such as awaiting operator intervention, loss of system integrity, or an application loop. PUBLICATIONS The following publications are shipped as documentation with the program: GEARBOX Language Extensions for PC-DOS: ORDER TITLE NUMBER GEARBOX Language Extensions for PC-DOS User's Guide SC28-8041 GEARBOX Language Extensions for OS/2: ORDER TITLE NUMBER GEARBOX Language Extensions for OS/2 User's Guide SC28-8056 Additional copies of these publications are not available. SCHEDULE The planned availability is March 1990. TECHNICAL INFORMATION SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT MACHINE REQUIREMENTS: GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs require a 7552 or GEARBOX Model 800 to operate. The specific machine requirements are dictated by the operating system used. GEARBOX Language Extensions for PC-DOS can execute on any 7552 model or the GEARBOX Model 800. To use GEARBOX Language Extensions for OS/2, the following are required: o 7552-540 or GEARBOX Model 800 o Memory requirements specified by OS/2 SE Version 1.1 - 2.0MB without the PC-DOS session - 2.5MB with the PC-DOS session o Display requirements specified by OS/2 - EGA adapter with at least 128KB expansion memory - VGA type adapter. To provide capability for installation of the Language Extensions and to perform program development, the following hardware is also required: o Keyboard o Display. COMPATIBILITY: GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs provide all of the functional capability of the previous versions which were named the Language Extensions for the IBM 7552 and the Language Extensions/2 for the IBM 7552 Industrial Computer, respectively. All of the functions, including syntax and parameter types, provided in the previous version are preserved. Existing applications using the previous version do not have to be re-compiled to use the new products. A new link is required to produce the new executable. An OS/2 application also requires the new execution-time files to be installed on the execution system. PLANNING INFORMATION INSTALLABILITY: To convert an application to Version 1 Release 2, relink the application with the Version 1 Release 2 library. Under OS/2, also install the execution library on the execution machine. PACKAGING: Each product is distributed in its own package with the following materials: o IBM Program License Agreement o Proof of License o License Information o One 3.5-inch double-sided (720KB) diskette o One 5.25-inch double-sided (360KB) diskette o One Language Extensions User's Guide. SECURITY, AUDITABILITY AND CONTROL GEARBOX Language Extensions programs can be used and managed so as to limit the risk of unintended modification, destruction, or disclosure to sensitive data. User management is responsible for evaluation, selection and implementation of security features, administrative procedures and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities. ORDERING INFORMATION Ordering instructions will be provided when the program becomes available. TERMS AND CONDITIONS LICENSING: GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs are licensed under the terms and conditions of the IBM Program License Agreement. A copy of the agreement is included in the program package. LIMITED WARRANTY: Program: Yes. Media: Three months. PROGRAM SERVICES: Central Service, including the IBM Support Center, will be available until discontinued by IBM upon six months' written notice. GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs are supported by the IBM Application System Division (ASD), Product Support Operations. Access to ASD Product Support Operations will be provided through the IBM Support Center. ASD Product Support Operations will respond, on a call-back basis, to defects and questions concerning the installability, use, operation, and function of GEARBOX Language Extensions Version 1 Release 2 programs. Calls may be placed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ASD Product Support Operations will return calls from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except holidays. Hours of service and support are subject to change. The statement of service included in the program package describes this service. CUSTOMER FULFILLMENT OPTION: Yes. VOLUME DISCOUNT: Volume discounting is available under the terms and conditions of the Volume Procurement Amendment (VPA) and the Exhibit for Personal Computer/System Programs (PCLP). TESTING PERIOD: Program Packages: Two months for up to three copies of each Eligible Program ordered. IBM Program License Agreement -- Extended Provisions must be in effect. EDUCATIONAL ALLOWANCE: A 15% educational allowance is available to qualifying institutions in accordance with the Educational Allowance Amendment. The educational allowance may not be added to any other discount or allowance. CHARGES PROGRAM ORDER ONE-TIME NAME/NUMBER TYPE CHARGE GEARBOX Language Extensions for PC-DOS 5601-052 Program Package $650 GEARBOX Language Extensions for OS/2 5601-136 Program Package 800