Editing OpenVMS (section)

===Programming===

DEC (and its successor companies) provided a wide variety of programming languages for VMS. Officially supported languages on VMS, either current or historical, include:<ref name="language-1985">{{cite web|url=http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/handbook/VMS_Language_and_Tools_Handbook_1985.pdf|title=VAX/VMS Software Language and Tools Handbook|date=1985|access-date=December 31, 2020|website=bitsavers.org}}</ref><ref name="vsi-products">{{cite web|url=https://vmssoftware.com/products/list/|title=VSI List of Products|website=VSI|access-date=May 4, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516174139/https://vmssoftware.com/products/list/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lua — VMS Software, Inc. |url=https://vmssoftware.com/products/lua/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=vmssoftware.com}}</ref>

{{Div col|colwidth=9em}}
* [[VAX MACRO]]
* [[BLISS]]
* [[C (programming language)|C]]
* [[DIGITAL Command Language|DCL]]
* [[Fortran]]
* [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]]
* [[COBOL]]
* [[BASIC]]
* [[C++]]
* [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
* [[Common Lisp]]
* [[APL (programming language)|APL]]
* [[Ada (programming language)|Ada]]
* [[PL/I]]
* [[DIBOL]]
* [[CORAL]]
* [[OPS5]]
* [[IBM RPG II|RPG II]]
* [[MUMPS]]
* [[MACRO-11]]
* [[DEC Text Processing Utility|DECTPU]]
* [[Lua (programming language)|Lua]]
* VAX SCAN{{Div col end}}

Among OpenVMS's notable features is the ''Common Language Environment'', a strictly defined standard that specifies calling conventions for functions and routines, including use of [[stack (abstract data type)|stacks]], [[processor register|registers]], etc., independent of programming language.<ref name="openvms-calling-standard">{{cite web|url=https://vmssoftware.com/docs/VSI_CALLING_STD.pdf|title=VSI OpenVMS Calling Standard|date=January 2021|access-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref> Because of this, it is possible to call a routine written in one language (for example, Fortran) from another (for example, COBOL), without needing to know the implementation details of the target language. OpenVMS itself is implemented in a variety of different languages and the common language environment and calling standard supports freely mixing these languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vmssoftware.com/docs/VSI_PROGRAM_CONCEPTS_VOL_II.pdf|title=VSI OpenVMS Programming Concepts Manual, Volume II|date=April 2020|access-date=May 4, 2021|publisher=VSI}}</ref> DEC created a tool named the ''Structure Definition Language'' (SDL), which allowed [[data type]] definitions to be generated for different languages from a common definition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digiater.nl/openvms/freeware/v30/sdl/freeware_readme.txt|title=SDL, LANGUAGE, Data Structure/Interface Definition Language|date=November 1996|access-date=January 3, 2021|website=digiater.nl}}</ref>

The set of languages available directly with the operating system is restricted to C, Fortran, Pascal, BASIC, C++, BLISS and COBOL. Freely available open source languages include Lua, PHP, Python, Scala and Java.
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.vmssoftware.com/|title=VMS Software / Documentation|website=VSI|access-date=May 12, 2025}}</ref>

====Development tools====

[[File:Vax-vms-grey-wall.jpg|thumb|The "Grey Wall" of VAX/VMS documentation, at [[Living Computers: Museum + Labs]]]]

DEC provided a collection of software development tools in a layered product named ''DECset'' (originally named ''VAXset'').<ref name="language-1985" /> This consisted of the following tools:<ref>{{cite web |title=DECset |url=https://vmssoftware.com/products/decset/ |access-date=January 2, 2021 |website=VSI}}</ref>

* [[Language-Sensitive Editor]] (LSE)
* ''Code Management System'' (CMS) a [[version control]] system
* ''Module Management System'' (MMS), a [[build automation|build tool]]
* the ''Source Code Analyzer (''SCA), a [[static analyzer]] 
* the ''Performance and Coverage Analyzer'' (''PCA''), a [[Profiling (computer programming)|profiler]]
* ''Digital Test Manager'' (DTM), as a test manager 
* In addition, a number of [[text editor]]s are included in the operating system, including [[EDT (Digital)|EDT]], [[EVE (text editor)|EVE]] and [[TECO (text editor)|TECO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vmssoftware.com/docs/VSI_DCL_DICT_VOL_I.pdf|title=VSI OpenVMS DCL Dictionary: A–M|date=April 2020|access-date=January 2, 2021|publisher=VSI}}</ref>

The OpenVMS Debugger supports all DEC compilers and many third-party languages. It allows breakpoints, watchpoints and interactive runtime program debugging using either a [[command line interface|command line]] or [[graphical user interface]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vmssoftware.com/docs/VSI_DEBUGGER.pdf|title=VSI OpenVMS Debugger Manual|date=June 2020|access-date=May 4, 2021|publisher=VSI}}</ref> A pair of lower-level debuggers, named ''DELTA'' and ''XDELTA'', can be used to debug privileged code in additional to normal application code.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vmssoftware.com/docs/VSI_DELTA_XDELTA.pdf|title=VSI OpenVMS Delta/XDelta Debugger Manual|date=August 2019|access-date=December 31, 2020|publisher=VSI}}</ref>

In 2019, VSI released an officially supported [[Integrated Development Environment]] for VMS based on [[Visual Studio Code]].<ref name="vms-roadmap-12-2019" /> This allows VMS applications to be developed and debugged remotely from a [[Microsoft Windows]], [[macOS]] or [[Linux]] workstation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=VMSSoftwareInc.vms-ide|title=VMS IDE|access-date=January 2, 2021|website=Visual Studio Marketplace}}</ref>

====Database management====

DEC created a number of optional [[database]] products for VMS, some of which were marketed as the ''VAX Information Architecture'' family.<ref name="vax-info-handbook">{{cite web|url=http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/dec/vax/handbook/VMS_Information_Management_Handbook_1985.pdf|title=VAX/VMS Software Information Management Handbook|date=1985|access-date=January 24, 2021|publisher=Digital Equipment Corporation}}</ref> These products included:

* [[Oracle Rdb|Rdb]] – A [[relational database]] system which originally used the proprietary ''Relational Data Operator'' (RDO) query interface, but later gained [[SQL]] support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/rdb/pdf/2003_tech_forums/13_rdbs_first_20_years.pdf|title=Rdb's First 20 Years: Memories and Highlights|author=Ian Smith|date=2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103112619/http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/rdb/pdf/2003_tech_forums/13_rdbs_first_20_years.pdf|archive-date=November 3, 2005|url-status=dead|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref>
* ''DBMS'' – A database management system which uses the [[CODASYL]] [[network model]] and ''Data Manipulation Language'' (DML).
* [[Digital Standard MUMPS]] (DSM) – an integrated programming language and [[key-value database]].<ref name="language-1985" />
* ''Common Data Dictionary'' (CDD) – a central [[database schema]] repository, which allowed schemas to be shared between different applications, and data definitions to be generated for different programming languages.
* [[DATATRIEVE]] – a query and reporting tool which could access data from RMS files as well as Rdb and DBMS databases.
* Application Control Management System (ACMS) – A [[transaction processing monitor]], which allows applications to be created using a high-level ''Task Description Language'' (TDL). Individual steps of a transaction can be implemented using DCL commands, or Common Language Environment procedures. User interfaces can be implemented using TDMS, DECforms or Digital's [[ALL-IN-1]] office automation product.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://odl.sysworks.biz/disk$vaxdocmar002/database/acms_v43/6621/6621pro_contents.html|title=Compaq ACMS for OpenVMS Getting Started|publisher=Compaq|date=December 1999|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref>
* ''RALLY'', ''DECadmire'' – [[Fourth-generation programming language]]s (4GLs) for generating database-backed applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=c04622599|title=Building Dependable Systems: The OpenVMS Approach|date=March 1994|access-date=October 17, 2022|publisher=Digital Equipment Corporation}}</ref> DECadmire featured integration with ACMS, and later provided support for generating [[Visual Basic]] [[client-server]] applications for Windows PCs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://h30266.www3.hpe.com/MasterIndex/cover_letter/cover_letter_0071573c.txt|title=Cover Letter for DECADMIRE V2.1 MUP Kit - DECADMIRE V2.1A|date=1995|publisher=Digital Equipment Corporation|access-date=January 24, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 1994, DEC sold Rdb, DBMS and CDD to [[Oracle Corporation|Oracle]], where they remain under active development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.decus.de/slides/sy2004/21_04/2p06.pdf|title=Oracle Rdb Status and Direction|author1=Kevin Duffy|author2=Philippe Vigier|date=2004|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref> In 1995, DEC sold DSM to [[InterSystems]], who renamed it ''Open M'', and eventually replaced it with their [[InterSystems Caché|Caché]] product.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://h30266.www3.hpe.com/masterindex/cover_letter/cover_letter_013a1ce4.txt|title=Cover Letter re DSM|access-date=January 24, 2021|date=May 31, 1999|author1=Larry Goelz|author2=John Paladino|publisher=Compaq}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Examples of third-party database management systems for OpenVMS include [[MariaDB]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.sympatico.ca/n.rieck/docs/openvms_notes_mysql_mariardb.html|title=OpenVMS Notes MySQL and MariaDB|author=Neil Rieck|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131062246/http://www3.sympatico.ca/n.rieck/docs/openvms_notes_mysql_mariardb.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Mimer SQL]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vmsconsultancy.com/download/NL-VMSUpdate-2017/MimerSQL%20VMSSIG%20Holland.pdf|title=Mimer SQL on OpenVMS Present and Future|author=Bengt Gunne|date=2017|access-date=April 27, 2024}}</ref> ([[Itanium]] and [[x86-64]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://developer.mimer.com/mimer-sql-is-now-available-for-openvms-on-x86/|title=Mimer SQL is now available for OpenVMS on x86|publisher=Mimer Information Technology AB|date=2023}}</ref>), and [[System 1032]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rocketsoftware.com/products/rocket-m204/rocket-system-1032|title=Rocket Software System 1032|publisher=Rocket Software|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122232806/https://www.rocketsoftware.com/products/rocket-m204/rocket-system-1032|url-status=dead}}</ref>