Specifications

1
Introduction to the OpenVMS Programming
Environment
The OpenVMS operating system provides a rich and varied environment for
developing software application programs. Programming software that is
included in the OpenVMS operating system and a wide range of optional tools
offer a comprehensive environment for building software applications. By
using the right tool for the right job, programmers at all levels can enhance
productivity, improve software quality, and manage complex programming tasks.
This book can help you choose the right tool for the programming task at hand.
It briefly describes the features of OpenVMS tools and points to other manuals
for additional information about using them.
This chapter provides introductions to:
• Built-in and optional OpenVMS programming tools
• Portable and interoperable applications support
• Distributed computing support, including the client/server style
• Object-oriented design support
• Database and transaction processing support
• Specialized development environments
• Migration tools for moving OpenVMS VAX applications to OpenVMS AXP
1.1 Built-in and Optional OpenVMS Programming Tools
OpenVMS programming tools are available for performing the following tasks:
• Creating source files
• Managing software development tasks
• Compiling, linking, and debugging programs
• Accessing libraries of prewritten and debugged routines
Some OpenVMS programming tools are built into the operating system while
others are optional tools that are separately orderable. Tools built into the
OpenVMS operating system include text processors, assemblers, linkers,
debuggers, utilities, run-time libraries, system services, and other callable system
routines. Optional tools include compilers, interpreters, and project management
tools.
1–1