Starting Vsystem Applications

Vsystem applications are designed to operate the same across multiple platforms.  All Vsystem applications, include the graphical program can be run from the command line with qualifiers and parameters. Windows and OpenVMS both use / for qualifiers, whereas - is commonly used on Linux.

Qualifiers that have values require the use of an equal sign '='.  There should not be a space between the = and value.

Qualifiers can have a list which is enclosed in ()

An asterisk is used for wildcard, for example with channel names.  On Linux these must be enclosed in quotes.

Parameters can be a list separated by a comma.  Spaces may also be added between the parameters.

If an applications takes more than 1 parameter, these are separated by spaces

Most qualifiers can be abbreviated.  But must be enough characters to be unique.

For example, vscan includes both noslow and noinit qualifiers.

String with spaces like specifying a time string need double quotes "" or single quotes ''.

String within a string

All Vsystem applications have help and version qualifiers.  The help qualifier lists the available qualifier and parameters for the program.  The version qualifier lists the versions of the libraries that are used by the program.

  WIN  If you use these qualifiers on a graphical program like db_view or vdraw, you will get an additional window. You will need to hit the Enter key to close the window.  Even for the command line programs, you will need to hit Enter.