Technical data

Preface
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for all OpenVMS operating system users. Read this
manual before you install, upgrade, or use Version 7.3 of the operating system.
Document Structure
This manual contains the following chapters and appendixes:
• Chapter 1 contains information describing the type of OpenVMS releases,
upgrade paths, and support policy.
• Chapter 2 contains release notes that pertain to installing the OpenVMS
operating system.
• Chapter 3 contains installation and support information about OpenVMS
associated products.
• Chapter 4 contains release notes about the general use of the OpenVMS
operating system.
• Chapter 5 contains release notes specific to system management issues.
• Chapter 6 contains release notes that relate to programming on an OpenVMS
system, including notes for compilers, linkers, and run-time library routines.
• Chapter 7 contains release notes pertaining to OpenVMS device support on
Alpha and VAX systems.
• Chapter 8 describes the proper use of interlocked memory instructions, which
is crucial for the Alpha 21264 (EV6) processor.
• Appendix A contains information about OpenVMS products that are no longer
supported, as of this release, or that are slated for retirement.
• Appendix B contains information pertaining to hardware that runs on the
OpenVMS operating system.
In Chapters 2 through 8, notes are organized by facility or product name;
facilities and products are listed alphabetically.
This manual contains release notes introduced in the current release and notes
from previous OpenVMS versions that still apply to the new release. Margin
notes for each release note indicate the version of origin (for example, V7.3).
Notes from previous releases are published when:
• The information in the release note has not been documented in hard copy in
any other manual in the OpenVMS documentation set, and the note is still
pertinent.
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