SINTRAN Variable Name Analysis - Logical Abbreviations¶
Confirmed Variable Abbreviations (from SYMBOL files)¶
Core Status Variables¶
| Symbol | Likely Full Name | Logic | Address | Usage Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HASTA | HArdware STAtus | Hardware status register content | 000076 | Central status storage |
| ACTSW | ACTivity SWitch | Device activation state | 000074 | Boolean: active/inactive |
| XRETR | X RETRy | Retry attempt counter | 000105 | 0 to MAXR limit |
| RTDYN | ReTry DYNamics | Retry statistics/dynamics | 000065 | Copy of XRETR on success |
| HDERC | HarDware ERror Counter | Hardware error counter | 000066 | Incremented on errors |
Buffer and Table Management¶
| Symbol | Likely Full Name | Logic | Address | Usage Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MASTB | MASTer Buffer | Master status table base | 000041 | Base address for logging |
| BUFFA | BUFFer A | Buffer A address | 000054 | DMA buffer management |
| BUFFE | BUFFer E | Buffer E address | 000011 | DMA buffer management |
| BUFFI | BUFFer I | Buffer I address | 000014 | DMA buffer management |
| RBUFF | Receive BUFFer | Receive buffer | 073274 | DMA receive operations |
| WBUFF | Write BUFFer | Write/transmit buffer | 073306 | DMA transmit operations |
Timer Variables¶
| Symbol | Likely Full Name | Logic | Address | Usage Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMR | TiMeR | Primary timer | 177773 | Reset to 0 on interrupts |
| TTMR | Transmit TiMeR | Transmit timer | 177774 | Transmission timeouts |
| SUTMR | SetUp TiMeR | Setup timer | 000035 | Initialization timing |
| LTTMR | Link TimeR | Link establishment timer | 000023 | Link setup timing |
Status Bit Constants¶
| Symbol | Likely Full Name | Logic | Value | Bits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SILFO | Synchronous ILlegal FOrmat | Frame format error | 100000 | 15 |
| TXUND | Transmit X UNderrun Detection | Transmit underrun | 000002 | 1 |
| EMTY | Empty (buffer/list) | No buffers available | 004000 | 11 |
| HX21M | HDLC X.21 Mask | X.21 protocol mask | 060000 | 13-14 |
| HX21S | HDLC X.21 State | X.21 state bits | 000016 | 1,2,3 |
| BLDON | BLock Done On | Block completion flag | 000010 | 3 |
Analysis of Missing Variables (Not in Symbol Tables)¶
Likely Local Variables/Labels¶
| Variable | Probable Full Name | Logic | Likely Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXTS | NEXT frame in Sequence | Next transmission processing | Local subroutine |
| XHMST | X HDLC Master STart | HDLC master start | DMA restart routine |
| T9 | Timer/Temp register 9 | Temporary counter 9 | Diagnostic counter |
| DUIN | Device Unexpected INterrupt | Unexpected interrupt counter | Error diagnostics |
| STPCNT | SToP CouNTer | Stop event counter | Buffer exhaustion tracking |
| PROCPKT | PROCess PacKeT | Process packet routine | Packet processing |
| ZSTARC | Z START reCeiver | Start receiver (Z=last?) | Receiver restart |
Subroutine Name Analysis¶
| Symbol | Likely Full Name | Logic | Address | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SADTS | Store And Display Transmission Status | Status logging | 104735 | Log hardware status |
| DRERR | Device Retry ERRor | Error handling | 104751 | Handle retry errors |
| X21ERR | X.21 ERRor handler | X.21 protocol errors | Not found | Protocol error handling |
| ERRNOT | ERRor NOTification | Error notification | Not found | Notify upper layers |
SINTRAN Naming Pattern Analysis¶
5-Character Limit Strategies¶
- Vowel Removal: HARDWARE → HRDWR, but they used HASTA
- Strategic Abbreviation: Take first letters of key words
- Keep Core Meaning: Preserve most important consonants
- Functional Grouping: Related variables use similar prefixes
Prefix Patterns¶
- H prefix: Hardware-related (HASTA, HDERC)
- T prefix: Timer-related (TMR, TTMR)
- X prefix: Special/Extended functions (XRETR, HX21M)
- R prefix: Receive operations (RBUFF, RTDYN)
- BUFF suffix: Buffer-related variables
Type Indicators¶
- C suffix: Counter (HDERC, STPCNT)
- R suffix: Register/Timer (TMR, TTMR)
- SW suffix: Switch/Boolean (ACTSW)
- ST suffix: Status/State (HASTA from HASTAT)
Validation Against Usage Patterns¶
HASTA (Hardware Status)¶
✅ Correct: Used to store raw hardware register values
- T:=HDEV+RTTS; *EXR ST; A=:HASTA - Stores hardware status
- All decision logic operates on HASTA content
- Central repository for hardware state information
ACTSW (Activity Switch)¶
✅ Correct: Boolean device state control
- 1 =: ACTSW (mark active), 0 =: ACTSW (mark inactive)
- Used in IF ACTSW = 0 THEN conditionals
- Classic on/off switch pattern
XRETR (X Retry)¶
✅ Correct: Retry attempt counter with X prefix for "extended/special"
- XRETR+1=:XRETR (increment), 0=:XRETR (clear)
- Compared against MAXR limit
- The "X" likely indicates this is an extended/special retry mechanism
RTDYN (Retry Dynamics)¶
✅ Correct: Stores retry statistics/dynamics
- XRETR=:RTDYN - Only updated on success to save final retry count
- Used for performance analysis and statistics
- "Dynamics" suggests it tracks retry behavior patterns
Conclusion¶
The SINTRAN developers used a sophisticated abbreviation system that:
1. Preserves meaning through strategic letter selection
2. Groups related concepts with consistent prefixes
3. Indicates data types with suffixes (C=counter, R=register, SW=switch)
4. Maintains readability despite 5-character limit
The variable names are logically consistent and functionally descriptive within the constraints of the SINTRAN symbol system. The abbreviations successfully capture the essential meaning while fitting the technical limitations of the development environment.