NOTICE This version of PortaCalc is basically identical in function to the "standard" PortaCalc for PDP11 or VAX. However, its' matrix has been moved to a virtual array to permit it to be larger than the 16 bit PDP11 address space would normally permit; in fact, a roughly 64 by 64 matrix is supported (actual size built by the supplied files is 60 columns, 65 rows). The size is a parameter which may be altered by editing SVKLUGPRM.FTN to suit yourself; there is no logical limitation on size other than the requirement that row and column numbers be expressible in 16 bits. However, the PDP11 virtual array limitations will impose further restrictions, as will your machine's physical memory. The VBLS array, which holds the sheet, is dimensioned 8 by by ; two other arrays are dimensioned by . Unlike some other spreadsheets, the ENTIRE matrix may actually be used; there is no such thing as running out of memory at runtime in PortaCalc. The supplied version permits around 4000 active cells. Further, since each cell can reference command files (for unlimited length formulas), a computation that cannot be handled by PortaCalc probably should be done on another machine. LIMITATIONS: The VAX version of PortaCalc supports matrix math and iterative equation solving (the kind of thing TK!Solver(tm) does) as well as traditional spreadsheet operations. This version does not, mainly because the math routines were not converted to access the virtual arrays. This could be added, but care will be needed to guard against running out of address space. For the present, however, Portacalc-XL is just a good 3D spreadsheet, not a numerical analyzer as well. Terminal control routines other than VT100 accessed the FVLD array which is now a virtual array. These have not been converted, so the only terminal supported is the VT100 in the XL version of Portacalc. Note however that the Z19 terminal IS supported, and most compatibles (like Colorscan 10, DT80) work as well. The nonconverted routines are supplied, so someone who needs them can do the conversion. For both versions, an edited copy of UVT52.FTN is supplied as well which should be OK for VT52. It is the version one should use in adapting this program to terminal types which do not have reverse video capability. MACHINE REQUIREMENTS: PortaCalc-XL will work on ANY PDP11 able to run RSX11M mapped; it has been tested on machines ranging from a PDP11/34 with a 60K GEN partition running RSX11M V3.2 through an 11/70 running M+ V2. Floating point support (at least via an emulator) is required. For those with RSX11M+ on 11/44's and 11/70's, a considerably faster version can be built by editing the ODL and build files to use supervisor mode FCS. The program should run OK on a PC 350 PROVIDED it runs in a numeric directory and accesses files in such a directory; FCS programs generally do work provided they run in normal numeric accounts (i.e., the directory name would be, for example, 200200.DIR (or [200,200]) rather than FOOBAR.DIR (or [FOOBAR]).) If built with RMS, it should also work, but I have never tried building PortaCalc with RMS. When the J-11 based 350's become available, RMS in supervisor mode should allow full RMS functions with no trouble. On the present F-11 versions, it is not clear whether a clustered RMS plus F77 runtime system will leave space enough. The package has been submitted to DECUS but its' order number has not been assigned as of 8/5/83. Some "maintenance" updates will eventually go to DECUS for both PortaCalc and for PortaCalc-XL as problems are fixed or improvements made. The DECUS library now is up to V5.4 of the PortaCalc sheet, which has now a vast array of new functionality and an easy interface for users to add their favorite commands and/or mathematical analysis routines without having to get into the full program. The author would however appreciate anyone's help in writing tutorials and / or more extensive manuals for the package. Floppy Disk Distribution: The floppy disk distribution of PortaCalc - XL is on two floppies, intended for those using RSX11M or M+ on non-magtape systems but having RX02's. The first floppy is the PortaCalc-XL source code and build files. Also included are the command files which should be moved to DK: (wherever that is, established via an ASN dv:=DK:/GBL normally). The files AK*.CMD and KY*.CMD, and KEYPAD.PIC, should be on DK: (which may be just your normal disk if desired) for the aux keypad to work. The second floppy contains PORTACALC.RNO, the Runoff source of the manual (and which can be made into a Help file rather easily after passing through Runoff), and PCCXLS.TSK, a version of PortaCalc-XL built to look for keypad files on device DK: and with 60 columns and 65 rows max size, requiring no special features (thus usable on most any RSX11M/M+ system). The graphics program is on diskette 2 also. (The program uses the INDEX function from the main sources too.) Also on volume 2 is source code for the VE: driver, a virtual disk driver for current flavors of RSX11M/M+. One of its features is that it permits use of single directory virtual disks, so the command files can be put in 1 place regardless of directory (a command to the LVE task sets the disk as single directory). A very small (at most 200 blocks) virtual disk may be used for DK:.