[mod.computers.vax] VAXTPU bug

McGuire_Ed@GRINNELL.MAILNET (01/22/86)

VAXTPU as bundled with VMS V4.2 turns on the terminal's hardware wrap when
exiting, if TT$M_WRAP is set.  Programs which assume it is off (screen editors,
etc.) get screwed up by unexpected newlines when typing characters at the last
physical character position.

Although the I/O user's manual clearly states that VMS doesn't support hardware
wrapping, the VAXTPU manual documents its behavior and blithely suggests that
we all write command procedures that bracket SET TERM/NOWRAP and SET TERM/WRAP
around the editor invocation to "trick" VAXTPU into preserving the (factory
default) hardware setting.  Activating SET twice for every editing session
takes something out of our new "efficient" editor, now doesn't it?

Silly us for assuming that new software from DEC will be consistent with DEC
manuals.

I am SPRing the problem for V4.2; I would like to know if the problem is fixed
in a later version.