VMS - Running PH710G on differing versions of the operating syste m

[Chris Sharman]

>Our current environment is Vax running OpenVMS v6.2 (with RMS file
>structures) and Powerhouse 7.10F1. Our package supplier is telling us that
>the next version of their package, due in early November of this year,  will
>be developed using Powerhouse 7.10G and that they are currently running
>OpenVMS v7.1 as their operating system. 

7.10G has various problems, including failure of all multiline fields.
7.10G1 appears better, but Cognos won't tell me whether there are any problems
outstanding, and won't give me a shipping date yet.
I'd be surprised if your supplier can keep their schedule, when Cognos are
nearly 6 months late and still counting. Perhaps Cognos treat their "business
partners" better than me though - I'm only a customer.

>My question is: I know that I can install and run Powerhouse 7.10G (or G1
>when it becomes available) under OpenVMS v6.2 but does it matter that our
>supplier is using OpenVMS v7.1 as the underlying operating system when they
>develop the applications (they supply QKC, QZC, QTC programs and PDL for us
>to install and run) ? 

No, I don't believe there's any problem, but your supplier should tell you that.
VMS images (.exe) will probably not run on an earlier version than they were
linked on. All other files should be OK, provided they don't use new features.
Eg a .COM using some 7.1 new feature. I don't believe .Q%% or .PDL files
present any problems.
So provided they don't ship any QKDRIVER or other .EXE files, you're probably
OK (if they do, they'll need to ship them in .OBJ form for linking at install
time.

>For a variety of reasons (including the time available to us to upgrade and
>test 4 different machines, each with different applications and programs,
>running a new version of the operating system) if I can avoid upgrading our
>version of OpenVMS at this time that would be a distinct advantage. I must
>say at this point that we were planning to upgrade to OpenVMS v7.x in the
>new year (in our own time frame) but this external factor may force our hand
>somewhat.

Presumably you know that Digital support for 6.2 ceased last April, unless you
pay the premium for "Prior version support".
______________________________________________________________________
Chris Sharman			Chris.Sharman@CCAgroup.co.uk
CCA Stationery Ltd, Eastway, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9WS.
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