1  REQUEST
   Displays a message at a system operator's terminal and optionally
   requests a reply. All messages are logged at the operator's
   console and in the operator's log file, if that file is
   initialized.

   To use this command, you must start the operator communication
   process (OPCOM) at boot time by specifying the DCL command
   @SYS$SYSTEM:STARTUP OPCOM in the site-specific startup command
   file, SYS$MANAGER:SYSTARTUP.COM.

   Format

     REQUEST  message-text
 

2  Parameter
 

message-text

   Specifies the text of the message to be displayed. The string can
   be up to 128 characters. If the string contains spaces, special
   characters, or lowercase characters, enclose it in quotation
   marks (" ").
 

2  Qualifiers
 

/REPLY

   Requests a reply to the message and issues a unique
   identification number to which the operator sends the response.
   The system displays a message that the operator has been
   notified; you cannot enter any commands until the operator
   responds. If you press Ctrl/C before the operator responds, you
   can then enter another message to the operator, or press Ctrl/Z
   to cancel the request.
 

/TO

      /TO=(operator[,...])

   Specifies one or more operators to whom you want to send the
   message. Possible keywords are as follows:

   CARDS              Sends the message to operators designated to
                      respond to card reader requests.

   CENTRAL            Sends the message to the central system
                      operator.

   CLUSTER            Sends the message to operators designated to
                      respond to cluster-related requests.

   DEVICES            Sends the message to operators who mount and
                      dismount disks.

   DISKS              Sends the message to operators who mount and
                      dismount disk volumes.

   NETWORK            Sends the message to the network operator.

   OPER1 to OPER12    Sends the message to operators identified as
                      OPER1 to OPER12.

   PRINTER            Sends the message to operators designated to
                      handle print requests.

   SECURITY           Sends the message to operators designated to
                      respond to security-related requests.

   TAPES              Sends the message to operators designated to
                      mount and dismount tape volumes.
 

2  Examples

   1.$ PRINT/COPIES=2/QUEUE=LQ_PRINT  REPORT.OUT/FORM=LETTER
       Job REPRT (queue LQA1, entry 401) pending
     $ REQUEST/REPLY/TO=PRINTER -
     _$"Have queued job 401 as FORM=LETTER;  can you print it?"
     %OPCOM-S-OPRNOTIF, operator notified, waiting...10:42:16.10
     %OPCOM-S-OPREPLY, AFTER 11:00
      14-DEC-2001 10:25:32.40, request 3 completed by operator OPA0

     In this example the PRINT command requests that multiple copies
     of a file be printed using a special paper (/FORM=LETTER).
     After queueing the job to the printer, the REQUEST command
     sends a message to the system operator.

     The operator sends a reply after completing the request.

   2.$ REQUEST/REPLY  "Are you there?"
     %OPCOM-S-OPRNOTIF, operator notified, waiting...14:54:30.33
<Ctrl/C>

     REQUEST-Enter message or cancel request with ^Z
     REQUEST-Message?<Ctrl/Z>
     %OPCOM-S-OPRNOTIF, operator notified, waiting... 14:59:01.38
     %OPCOM-F-RQSTCAN, request was canceled

     In this example the REQUEST command issues a message and
     requests a response. When no operator replies to the question,
     Ctrl/C is used to interrupt the request; then Ctrl/Z is used to
     cancel it.