# Show current directory (like PWD):

SHOW DEFAULT

# Change directory. [000000] is the root of the disk:

SET DEFAULT DKA0:[directory]

# Go up one directory level:

SET DEFAULT [-]

# Go back to your home directory:

SET DEFAULT SYS$LOGIN

# List directory contents:

DIR

With file sizes and dates:

DIR /SIZE /DATE

# Get help on any command:

HELP DIRECTORY

General help menu:

HELP

# See who else is logged in:

SHOW USERS

# Log out:

LOGOUT

# Create a directory

CREATE/DIRECTORY DUA0:[MYDIR]

Directory & subdirectory:

CREATE/DIRECTORY DUA0:[MYDIR.SUBDIR]

# View a file's contents:

TYPE filename.txt

Page through a long file:

TYPE /PAGE filename.txt

# Copy a file:

COPY oldfile.txt newfile.txt

# Rename/move a file:

RENAME oldname.txt newname.txt

# Delete a file:

DELETE filename.txt;1

Delete every version of it (VMS keeps old versions by default):

DELETE filename.txt;*

# Clean up old versions of your files:

PURGE

Keep only the 2 most recent versions of everything:

PURGE /KEEP=2 *.*

# Search inside a file for text:

SEARCH filename.txt "text to find"

# Print a file:

PRINT filename.txt

# Check your disk usage/quota:

SHOW QUOTA

# EDT (classic line/screen editor):

EDIT /EDT filename.txt

# EVE (friendlier full-screen editor, part of TPU):

EDIT /TPU filename.txt

or simply:

EDIT filename.txt

# Read/send mail:

MAIL

From inside MAIL, send a message:

SEND

Read your inbox:

READ

Exit mail:

EXIT

# Send a quick real-time message to another logged-in user:

PHONE username

or

REPLY "message text" username

# Set a symbol (like a variable):

MYVAR = "hello"

SHOW SYMBOL MYVAR

# Write a simple command procedure (script):

CREATE MYPROC.COM

$ WRITE SYS$OUTPUT "Hello, VAX!"
$ EXIT

Run it:

@MYPROC.COM

# Run Basic:

BASIC

CTRL-Z to exit

To save a program (from within the BASIC interpreter):

SAVE PROGRAM.BAS

To load a program (from within the BASIC interpreter):

OLD PROGRAM.BAS

# C programming Fix a file copied in from a modern computer (line-ending issue):

$ SET FILE /ATTRIBUTES=(RFM:STMLF) filename

EDIT /EDT filename.c

CC FILENAME.C

LINK FILENAME

RUN FILENAME.EXE

Enter a simple hello world:

CREATE HELLO.C
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    printf("Hello, VAX!\n");
    return 0;
}

# Fortran

FORTRAN FORTRANFILE.FOR

Link and run same as C above.

# Pascal

PASCAL FILENAME.PAS

Link and run same as C above.

# Check for compile errors in the listing file:

TYPE FILENAME.LIS

ADVENTURE

NETHACK

CHESS

STARTREK

HUNT

More to come….