Exploring Interlisp-10 and Twenex
5 days ago
- #Interlisp-10
- #PDP-10
- #TWENEX
- Exploring Interlisp-10, a 1970s character-based environment for DEC PDP-10 mainframes.
- TTY editor, a command-line structure editor for Lisp code, predates graphical interfaces and SEdit.
- TTY editor in Medley Interlisp remains useful for batch editing and list structure manipulation.
- Interlisp-10 on TWENEX (TOPS-20) is accessible via SDF's publicly available PDP-10 setup.
- TWENEX influenced Interlisp terminology, such as the REPL being called 'Exec'.
- Interlisp-10 lacks HELPSYS, the interactive online documentation facility.
- Basic TTY editor commands are efficient, but EDITF only works with existing functions.
- File transfer between TWENEX and external systems involves FTP via SDF's Unix system.
- Interlisp-10 environment feels familiar to those experienced with Medley Interlisp.