SINTRAN III Development Tools Reference¶
Complete reference for all development tools
Version: 1.0
Date: October 17, 2025
Status: Complete
Table of Contents¶
Editors¶
ED - Line Editor¶
Command: @ED
Purpose: Basic line-oriented text editor
Common Commands:
INPUT - Enter input mode
CHANGE - Change text
DELETE - Delete lines
LIST - List lines
FIND - Search
SAVE - Save file
QUIT - Exit
Usage Pattern:
@ED
*INPUT HELLO:NPL
[enter text]
*SAVE
*QUIT
When to Use: Quick edits, batch processing, remote terminals
PED - Program Editor¶
Command: @PED-ENG-J
Purpose: Full-featured program editor with syntax awareness
Manual: ND-60.121.4 PED User's Guide
Location: Reference-Manuals/ND-60.121.4 PED User's Guide.md
Features: - Syntax-aware editing - Block operations - Search and replace - Macro recording - Multiple buffers
Basic Commands:
EDIT filename - Open file
INSERT - Insert mode
DELETE - Delete text
FIND - Search
REPLACE - Search and replace
SAVE - Save changes
EXIT - Quit editor
Common Usage:
@PED-ENG-J
*EDIT MYPROG:NPL
[editing...]
*SAVE
*EXIT
When to Use: Large programs, structured editing, NPL/MAC development
QED - Queue Editor¶
Command: @QED-1644L
Purpose: Context-based text editor
Manual: ND-60.031.04 EN QED User Manual
Location: Reference-Manuals/ND-60.031.04 EN QED User Manual.md
Features: - Context editing - Pattern matching - Batch operations - Scripting support
Basic Commands:
OPEN filename - Open file
APPEND - Append text
CHANGE - Modify text
DELETE - Delete text
FIND - Search
WRITE - Save file
QUIT - Exit
Common Usage:
@QED-1644L
*OPEN SOURCE:NPL
[editing...]
*WRITE
*QUIT
When to Use: Pattern-based editing, automated changes, scripting
Compilers & Assemblers¶
NPL - NORD Programming Language Compiler¶
Command: @NPL source:NPL [,list,list]
Purpose: Compile NPL source to MAC assembly
Manual: ND-60.047.03 NORD PL User's Guide
Input: .NPL files
Output: .MAC files
Options:
@NPL prog:NPL # Compile to prog:MAC
@NPL prog,list,list # With listing
Exit Status:
END OF COMPILATION - 0 ERRORS DETECTED # Success
END OF COMPILATION - X ERRORS DETECTED # X errors
MAC - Macro Assembler¶
Command: @MAC source:MAC
Purpose: Assemble MAC source to BRF object files
Manual: ND-60.096.01 MAC User's Guide
Input: .MAC files
Output: .BRF files
Interactive Mode:
@MAC
*commands
*EXIT
Batch Mode:
@MAC prog:MAC
CC-100 - C Compiler for ND-100¶
Command: @CC-100 source:C
Purpose: Compile C source to BRF object files
Manual: ND-60.214.01 CC-100 and CC-500 C-Compiler User Manual
Input: .C files
Output: .BRF files
Usage:
@CC-100 HELLO:C
Output Messages:
ND-100 C-Compiler Version A
Errors: none
Code: 130w Data: 107w
Requires: Link with CC-2HEADER, CC-2BANK, CC-2TRAILER
See: C-DEVELOPER-GUIDE.md
PLANC-100 - PLANC Compiler¶
Command: @PLANC-100
Purpose: Compile PLANC programs (module-based structured language)
Manual: ND-60.117.5 EN PLANC Reference Manual
Input: :SYMB or :PLNC files (compiler looks for :SYMB first, then :PLNC)
Output: .BRF files
Interactive Mode:
@PLANC-100
COMPILE filename
EXIT
Direct executable (using $PROG-FILE):
@PLANC-100
PROG-FILE "filename"
COMPILE filename
EXIT
FORT - ND FORTRAN (ANSI 77) Compiler¶
Command: @FORT (or @FORTRAN-100)
Purpose: Compile ND FORTRAN ANSI 77 programs (compiler 203053F02)
Manual: ND-60.145.7A EN ND FORTRAN Reference Manual
Input: :SYMB or :FORT files
Output: :BRF files
Usage:
@FORT
SEP OFF
COMP source,,"object"
EXIT
Link with BRF-LINKER (not NRL):
@BRF-LINKER
PROG-FILE "progname"
LOAD object
LOAD FORT-1B
EXIT
See: FORTRAN-DEVELOPER-GUIDE.md
ASSEMBLER-500 - ND-500 Assembler¶
Command: @ASSEMBLER-500
Purpose: Assemble ND-500 programs
Input: ND-500 assembly source
Output: ND-500 object files
Usage:
@ASSEMBLER-500
[commands]
Note: Used for ND-500 CPU programs only
Linkers & Loaders¶
NRL - ND Relocating Loader¶
Command: @NRL-1935J
Purpose: Link BRF object files into executable programs
Manual: ND-60.066.04 ND Relocating Loader
Input: .BRF files
Output: .PROG or .BPUN files
Interactive Commands:
*IMAGE cpu - Set target (100 or 500)
*PROG-FILE "name" - Output filename
*LOAD filename - Load object file
*START symbol - Set entry point
*MAP - Show memory map
*EXIT - Link and exit
Common Usage:
@NRL
*IMAGE 100
*PROG-FILE "MYPROG"
*LOAD module1
*LOAD module2
*EXIT
See: LINKING-GUIDE.md
BRF-EDITOR - Binary Relocatable Format Editor¶
Command: @BRF-EDITOR-1858F
Purpose: Edit symbols and create libraries from BRF files
Manual: ND-60.085.01 BRF EDITOR
Location: Reference-Manuals/ND-60.085.01 BRF EDITOR.md
Commands:
RENAME-SYMBOL old new - Rename symbol
CHANGE-FILE filename - Select file to edit
MAKE-LIBRARY-UNITS file - Create library
EXIT - Save and exit
Usage Pattern:
@BRF-EDITOR
RENAME-SYMBOL RI1F RIDB1F
RENAME-SYMBOL RINF RIDBNF
CHANGE-FILE module:BRF
MAKE-LIBRARY-UNITS module:BRF
EXIT
When to Use: - Avoid symbol conflicts - Create reusable libraries - Modify object files
See: COMPILER-COMMANDS-REFERENCE.md
BINDER - System Linker¶
Purpose: Link multiple modules into system images
Note: BINDER is typically invoked as part of system build, not for application development. Use NRL for normal linking.
Debuggers¶
MAC Interactive Debugger¶
Invocation: Start MAC in debug mode
Manual: ND-60.096.01 MAC Interactive Assembly and Debugging System
Location: Reference-Manuals/ND-60.096.01 MAC Interactive Assembly and Debugging System User's Guide.md
Purpose: Debug assembly programs at instruction level
Features: - Set breakpoints - Single-step execution - Examine/modify registers - Examine/modify memory - Symbol table access
Common Commands:
B address - Set breakpoint
G - Go (run)
S - Single step
D address - Display memory
M address value - Modify memory
R - Display registers
Q - Quit
When to Use: Low-level debugging, MAC programs, system-level issues
DEBUGGER - Symbolic Debugger¶
Command: @DEBUGGER
Manual: ND-60.158-5-EN Symbolic Debugger - User Guide
Purpose: High-level symbolic debugging
Features: - Source-level debugging - Symbolic breakpoints - Variable inspection - Stack traces - Expression evaluation
Common Commands:
BREAK procedure - Set breakpoint
RUN - Start execution
STEP - Single step
CONTINUE - Continue execution
PRINT variable - Show variable value
WHERE - Stack trace
QUIT - Exit debugger
Usage:
@DEBUGGER
*LOAD MYPROG
*BREAK MAIN
*RUN
[debugging...]
*QUIT
When to Use: High-level debugging, NPL/PLANC/C programs
Utilities¶
DUMP - File Dump Utility¶
Purpose: Display file contents in various formats
Usage:
@DUMP filename
Formats: - Octal dump - Hexadecimal dump - ASCII dump - Symbolic dump (with symbol table)
When to Use: Inspect binary files, debug file formats
LOOK-FILE - File Inspector¶
Command: @LOOK-FILE-2244E
Purpose: Examine file contents and structure
Usage:
@LOOK-FILE-2244E
*filename
Shows: - File type - File size - Creation date - File attributes
FIL-EXTR - File Extract Utility¶
Command: @FIL-EXTR-2232B
Purpose: Extract portions of files
Usage:
@FIL-EXTR-2232B
[commands]
When to Use: Extract data from large files, file manipulation
GPM - General Purpose Monitor¶
Command: @GPM-2365B
Purpose: System monitoring and statistics
Usage:
@GPM-2365B
[monitoring commands]
Features: - CPU usage - Memory usage - I/O statistics - Process information
PERFORM - Performance Monitor¶
Command: @PERFORM-E
Purpose: Performance profiling and analysis
Usage:
@PERFORM-E
[profiling commands]
Features: - Code profiling - Hot spot identification - Timing analysis - Call graphs
ACCOUNTS - Account Management¶
Command: @ACCOUNTS-2183A
Purpose: User account and resource accounting
Usage:
@ACCOUNTS-2183A
[account commands]
FILSYS-INV - File System Inventory¶
Command: @FILSYS-INV-2135H
Purpose: File system analysis and verification
Usage:
@FILSYS-INV-2135H
[analysis commands]
When to Use: File system maintenance, disk space analysis
System Tools¶
SINTRAN-SERVICE-PROGRAM - System Configuration¶
Purpose: Configure SINTRAN III system parameters
Usage: Invoked during system setup
Functions: - Define RTCOMMON size - Configure memory layout - Set system parameters - Device configuration
Note: Typically used by system administrators, not application developers
MODE File Usage:
@SINTRAN-SERVICE
[commands to service program]
EXIT
[back to MODE file]
S3-CONFIGURATION - System Configuration¶
Command: @S3-CONFIGURATION
Purpose: Configure SINTRAN III system
Usage:
@S3-CONFIGURATION
[configuration commands]
BACKUP-SYSTEM-B - System Backup¶
Command: @BACKUP-SYSTEM-B
Purpose: Backup system and user files
Usage:
@BACKUP-SYSTEM-B
[backup commands]
DITAP - Tape Utility¶
Command: @DITAP
Purpose: Magnetic tape operations
Usage:
@DITAP
[tape commands]
Functions: - Read tapes - Write tapes - Copy tapes - Verify tapes
Quick Reference¶
Tool Categories¶
Editors¶
| Tool | Command | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| ED | @ED |
Line editor |
| PED | @PED-ENG-J |
Program editor |
| QED | @QED-1644L |
Queue editor |
Compilers¶
| Tool | Command | Input | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPL | @NPL file:NPL |
.NPL |
.MAC |
| MAC | @MAC file:MAC |
.MAC |
.BRF |
| CC-100 | @CC-100 file:C |
.C |
.BRF |
| PLANC | @PLANC-100 |
:SYMB/:PLNC |
.BRF |
| FORT | @FORT |
:SYMB/:FORT |
.BRF |
Linkers¶
| Tool | Command | Input | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| NRL | @NRL |
.BRF |
.PROG |
| BRF-EDITOR | @BRF-EDITOR |
.BRF |
.BRF |
Debuggers¶
| Tool | Command | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| MAC Debugger | @MAC (debug mode) |
Low-level debugging |
| DEBUGGER | @DEBUGGER |
Symbolic debugging |
Utilities¶
| Tool | Command | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| DUMP | @DUMP |
File dump |
| LOOK-FILE | @LOOK-FILE |
File inspection |
| GPM | @GPM |
System monitoring |
| PERFORM | @PERFORM |
Performance profiling |
Tool Selection Guide¶
"Which editor should I use?"¶
| Scenario | Recommended Tool |
|---|---|
| Quick file edit | ED |
| Large program development | PED |
| Pattern-based edits | QED |
| Batch processing | ED or QED |
"Which compiler for my language?"¶
| Language | Tool | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NPL | @NPL | System language |
| Assembly | @MAC | Low-level control |
| C | @CC-100 | Portable code |
| PLANC | @PLANC-100 | Module-based structured |
| FORTRAN | @FORT | Scientific computing |
"How do I debug?"¶
| Problem Type | Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Crash | DEBUGGER | Symbolic debugging |
| Memory corruption | MAC Debugger | Low-level inspection |
| Performance | PERFORM | Profiling |
| Logic error | DEBUGGER | Source-level stepping |
Common Workflows¶
Edit → Compile → Debug¶
# 1. Edit
@PED-ENG-J
*EDIT MYPROG:NPL
[editing...]
*SAVE
*EXIT
# 2. Compile
@NPL MYPROG:NPL
@MAC MYPROG:MAC
# 3. Link
@NRL
*PROG-FILE "MYPROG"
*LOAD MYPROG
*EXIT
# 4. Debug (if needed)
@DEBUGGER
*LOAD MYPROG
*RUN
Profile → Optimize → Verify¶
# 1. Profile
@PERFORM
*PROFILE MYPROG
# 2. Analyze results
[identify hot spots]
# 3. Edit and recompile
@PED-ENG-J
[optimize code]
# 4. Verify improvement
@PERFORM
*PROFILE MYPROG
File Associations¶
By Extension¶
| Extension | Type | Tools |
|---|---|---|
.NPL |
NPL source | PED, @NPL |
.MAC |
Assembly source | PED, @MAC |
.C |
C source | PED, @CC-100 |
:SYMB/:PLNC |
PLANC source | PED, @PLANC-100 |
.BRF |
Object file | BRF-EDITOR, @NRL |
.PROG |
Executable | Run with @filename |
.BPUN |
Binary program | DUMP-REENTRANT or run |
Tool Locations¶
System Directory¶
All tools are typically in (PACK-ONE:SYSTEM) or (PACK-ONE:BPUN-FILES).
Common Files¶
(PACK-ONE:SYSTEM)
├── NPL # NPL compiler
├── MAC-1415C:BPUN # MAC assembler
├── NRL-1935J:BPUN # NRL linker
├── CC-100-A:PROG # C compiler
├── PLANC-100-C:PROG # PLANC compiler
├── BRF-EDITOR:PROG # BRF editor
├── DEBUGGER:PROG # Symbolic debugger
├── PED-ENG-J:BPUN # PED editor
└── QED-1644L:BPUN # QED editor
Documentation References¶
Manuals Available¶
| Tool | Manual | Location |
|---|---|---|
| NPL | ND-60.047.03 | NORD PL User's Guide |
| MAC | ND-60.096.01 | MAC Interactive Assembly User's Guide |
| CC-100 | ND-60.214.01 | CC-100 and CC-500 C-Compiler User Manual |
| PLANC | ND-60.117.5 | PLANC Reference Manual |
| NRL | ND-60.066.04 | ND Relocating Loader |
| BRF-EDITOR | ND-60.085.01 | BRF EDITOR |
| PED | ND-60.121.4 | PED User's Guide |
| QED | ND-60.031.04 | QED User Manual |
| Debugger | ND-60.158-5 | Coming |
Local Guides¶
| Guide | File |
|---|---|
| Master Guide | SINTRAN-DEVELOPER-GUIDE.md |
| NPL Guide | NPL-DEVELOPER-GUIDE.md |
| MAC Guide | MAC-DEVELOPER-GUIDE.md |
| Linking Guide | LINKING-GUIDE.md |
| Commands | COMPILER-COMMANDS-REFERENCE.md |
| Quick Start | QUICK-START-EXAMPLES.md |
Tips & Best Practices¶
Tool Selection¶
- Use PED for serious development
- Use ED for quick edits and scripts
- Use MAC Debugger for low-level issues
- Use Symbolic Debugger for application debugging
Performance¶
- Profile before optimizing with PERFORM
- Use GPM for system-wide monitoring
- Check memory usage before scaling up
Maintenance¶
- Use BRF-EDITOR to avoid symbol conflicts
- Create libraries for reusable code
- Keep tool versions consistent across builds
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: October 17, 2025
Status: Complete
See Also: - SINTRAN-DEVELOPER-GUIDE.md - Master guide - COMPILER-COMMANDS-REFERENCE.md - Command reference - QUICK-START-EXAMPLES.md - Working examples - README.md - Documentation overview