DEC Text Processing Utility
| Industry | Computer hardware and software |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1957 |
| Products | DEC Text Processing Utility (DECTPU), OpenVMS, EDT, EVE, Language-Sensitive Editor, TPUVI (VITPU) |
The DEC Text Processing Utility (DECTPU) is a programming language crafted by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) to facilitate the efficient development of versatile text editors.
Integrated within the OpenVMS environment, TPU functions across terminals, consoles, and graphical interfaces such as DECwindows.
Functionality
TPU provides APIs for managing text buffers and windows, specifically tailored for the VT100 terminal family. These capabilities include support for split-screen window layouts, scrolling features, and the ability to display multiple views of a single buffer simultaneously. Additionally, TPU offers flexible key mapping APIs that enable both users and administrators to customize keyboard behavior extensively.
This utility allows the creation of specialized editors, including those capable of translating text or error messages into various languages within synchronized text windows. TPU-based editors can be invoked programmatically, facilitating their integration into software like mail clients. Through inter-process communication, applications can redirect their output into text windows, allowing real-time presentation of dynamic content such as web service responses within text buffers.
Implementations
- The first TPU editor, EVE (Extensible Versatile Editor), was distributed with VAX/VMS by mid-1985.
- In 1986, DEC redeveloped the EDT editor utilizing TPU technology.
- The Language-Sensitive Editor, included in the VAXset development suite.
- TPUVI or VITPU, a variant of the vi editor developed by Gregg Wonderly at Oklahoma State University, remains accessible through DECUS archives.