MPE Operating Systems

Figure 1-1 MPE/iX On-line Access Capabilities

Figure 1-2 900 Series HP 3000 High-level Tools

MPE/iX and MPE V/E Operating Systems

Since the 900 Series HP 3000 was introduced, Hewlett-Packard supports two types of MPE operating system; MPE V/E and MPE/iX, which stands for MPE with eXtended Large addressing. The "V" in the name MPE V/E is the Roman numeral for "5" MPE V/E is the operating system formerly called MPE. MPE V/E is supported on Series 37 through the Series 70 systems. MPE/iX is the operating system for 900 Series systems. It is designed to take full advantage of HP Precision Architecture (HP-PA). MPE/iX has the performance and ease-of-use of MPE V/E, plus additional functions and capabilities. It is upwardly compatible and has a user interface consistent with MPE V/E. MPE/iX is object code and source code compatible for programs developed on MPE V/E. It has two run-time environments that are transparent to the user:

Naming Conventions for HP 3000 Systems and Software

When the 900 Series was added to the HP 3000 family of computers, Hewlett-Packard instituted a new naming convention for HP 3000 software products; the addition of the suffix "/V" or "/XL" to a product name. Software products that previously had the suffix "/3000" now have the suffix "/V." For example, the product named IMAGE/3000 is now named IMAGE/V, and the product named COBOL/3000 is now named HP COBOL/V.

The "/V" suffix indicates that a product is designed for use with the MPE V/E operating system. This product can also be used with the MPE/iX operating system running in Compatibility Mode. A compiler with the suffix "/V" (for example, RPG/V) generates object code that runs under MPE V/E and MPE/iX (in Compatibility Mode).

The "/XL" suffix indicates that a product is designed for use with MPE/iX running in Native Mode. A compiler with the suffix "/XL" (for example, HP COBOL II/XL) generates object code that runs with MPE/iX in Native Mode. Figure 1-3 “HP 3000 Software Naming Conventions Example” shows an example of naming conventions.

Figure 1-3 HP 3000 Software Naming Conventions Example

Computers in the HP 3000 family that operate under the MPE V/E operating system are frequently called "MPE V/E-based systems." Computers in the HP 3000 family that operate under the MPE/iX operating system in native mode are frequently called "MPE/iX-based systems." This includes 900 Series systems.

Native Mode and Compatibility Mode

MPE/iX provides two run-time execution environments: Native Mode (NM) and Compatibility Mode (CM). MPE/iX dynamically and transparently coordinates and changes modes as required by applications.

NM is the native MPE/iX run-time environment. Source code has been compiled into the 900 Series native instruction set. NM is the preferred environment for the 900 Series and provides the highest performance from the systems through the use of demand paged virtual memory and memory mapped files.

CM provides object code compatibility between MPE V/E based systems and 900 Series computers. CM allows you to move applications and data to 900 Series computers without changes or recompilation.

MPE/iX is a compatible superset of MPE V/E. CM provides a working MPE V/E environment, including MPE V/E code and stack structures and most callable MPE V/E system intrinsics.

MPE/iX Mixed Modes

Applications can run partly in Native Mode (NM) and partly in Compatibility Mode (CM). MPE/iX transparently switches between modes for system routines. MPE/iX has a Switch Subsystem that determines if code is in NM or CM and automatically switches between them, as needed, while the routine is running. When the called routines are in the other mode, users must write their own switching routines.