OpenVMS is the operating system for DEC VAX and AXP systems. The need to support 64-bit computing on Alpha AXP processors made it necessary for the traditionally strong VMS operating system, running on VAX processors, to evolve from VMS to OpenVMS, to enable a smooth migration. The strength of this book lies in addressing the issues relating to migrating applications from VAX to AXP systems.

The book is organized in three parts. The first part deals with some basic procedures and tools required for using and developing applications on OpenVMS. It consists of ten chapters covering matters like login procedures, DCL commands, error messages, DCL programming, and lexical functions required for routine usage, as well as some sophisticated application development tools, services, and utilities like the symbolic debugger, record management services, mail, phone, sort/merge, difference, dump, search, and notes utilities. This part of the book may be most beneficial to application developers on OpenVMS. It cannot, however, substitute for the OpenVMS manuals.

Five chapters in the second part deal with the OpenVMS concept of a process, OpenVMS Executive, memory management, scheduling, and system management. Though written specifically for OpenVMS, this part will interest students and teachers of operating systems in general, as well as system programmers who want to keep up on the system management functions and tools given in chapter 15.

The third part, on migration from OpenVMS VAX to OpenVMS AXP, should, in my view, be the core of the book. This is where the book pays back its price in terms of its utility. In the absence of any listed DEC references specifically on migration to AXP, this book may be the only source of tips and cautions to be observed while migrating to Alpha AXP systems from VAX. Though the treatment of the subject does not appear to be as elaborate and extensive as that in the first part of the book, the initial feedback from actual migrations may determine and specify the need for expansion in the next edition, if there is one.

The author gives a short bibliography at the end, mostly of Digital publications. He rightly states that this book is to be used as a supplemental reference to the DEC manuals. He states that this book will appeal to students, novices, and application programmers alike. In my view, the book is not for novices. Each of the three parts targets a different readership; all, however, require a good prior knowledge of VMS and VAX architecture, in addition to elementary operating system concepts. Used with the DEC manuals, however, this book is a good buy, providing the right amount of theory and adequate practical tips for all those interested in migrating to Alpha AXP platforms in an OpenVMS environment.