DIGITAL


          Read Before Installing or Using DEC BASIC[TM] Version 1.2
          for OpenVMS[TM] Alpha Systems

          AV-Q29TC-TE

          November 1995


          Dear DEC BASIC Customer,

          Please take time to read the following information about
          DEC BASIC Version 1.2 for OpenVMS Alpha Systems.

          Licensing Information

          To install DEC BASIC Version 1.2 for OpenVMS Alpha Systems, you
          must first register a License Product Authorization Key (license
          PAK) using the License Management Facility (LMF). See the DEC
          BASIC Installation Guide for licensing instructions.

          Before you can read documentation on the Layered Products Docu-
          mentation CD-ROM (CD) using Bookreader, a BOOKBROWSER PAK must
          be activated (see the OpenVMS Alpha Layered Products Compact
          Disc User's Guide).

          Installation Information

          Installing DEC BASIC requires OpenVMS Alpha operating system
          Version 6.1 or higher.

          The OpenVMS Alpha Layered Products media consists of the follow-
          ing:

          o  The installation save sets (kit), the DEC BASIC Installation
             Guide, and related documentation in ASCII and POSTSCRIPT[R]
             format.  The CD contains the following DEC BASIC files:

             -  The DEC BASIC installation save set:

                   [BASIC012.KIT]BASIC012.A,BASIC012.B,BASIC012.C

             -  The DEC BASIC Installation Guide and this letter in
                POSTSCRIPT (.ps) and ASCII (.txt) format:

                   [BASIC012.DOCUMENTATION]*.PS, *.TXT

          o  The Layered Product Documentation CD-ROM contains documenta-
             tion files in Bookreader format.

          ___________________
       [TM] Bookreader, DEC BASIC, DECwindows, OpenVMS, and the DIGITAL logo
            are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.
        [R] POSTSCRIPT is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.


              ©Digital Equipment Corporation. 1995. All rights reserved.


           Release Notes Information

          The release notes for DEC BASIC Version 1.2 for OpenVMS Alpha
          Systems contain general notes, performance hints, differences
          from VAX BASIC, a summary of known problems, and
          documentation information. To read the release notes before
          installing DEC BASIC, invoke VMSINSTAL and follow the instructions 
          in the installation guide.  After installation of DEC BASIC, the 
          release notes are located in:

             SYS$HELP:BASIC012.RELEASE_NOTES

          Contents of the Media Kit

          o  Bill of Materials (BOM)

             Please read the BOM enclosed in this kit and check to see
             that all items listed are actually in your kit. If your
             kit is damaged or any items are missing, call your Digital
             representative.

          o  Media

             The Media CD contains the DEC BASIC directory and save set.
             For information about installing DEC BASIC, see the DEC BASIC
             Installation Guide.

          o  CD User's Guide and Read First Letter

             The OpenVMS Alpha Layered Products Compact Disc User's Guide
             and a read first letter accompany the CD distribution kit.
             The CD User's Guide lists the directory names provided for
             each product on the Media CD.

          o  Documentation

             The DEC BASIC and VAX BASIC for OpenVMS Systems Reference
             Manual and DEC BASIC and VAX BASIC for OpenVMS Systems User's
             Manual contain information about DEC BASIC and VAX BASIC. The
             DEC BASIC Installation Guide contains information specific to
             DEC BASIC.

             Depending on your order, this kit may include printed copies
             of the following manuals from the DEC BASIC documentation
             set:

             -  DEC BASIC and VAX BASIC for OpenVMS Systems Reference
                Manual

             -  DEC BASIC and VAX BASIC for OpenVMS Systems User's Manual

             -  DEC BASIC Installation Guide

             The manuals are provided as Bookreader-formatted files in the
             [DECW$BOOK] directory of the CD device. To enable access to
             these files, your system manager should refer to the OpenVMS
             Alpha Layered Products Compact Disc User's Guide in the CD
             distribution kit.











             To read the DEC BASIC Version 1.2 documents, use the
             Bookreader from a DECwindows terminal or Workstation:

             -  Invoke Bookreader; the initial or navigation Bookreader
                window appears.

             -  Within the navigation window, select the topic Programming
                Languages and Tools.

             -  Select the topic DEC BASIC for OpenVMS Alpha Systems.

             -  Select the appropriate DEC BASIC document; the table of
                contents will appear.

          o  Software Product Description (SPD)

             The SPD provides an overview of the DEC BASIC product and its
             features (provided on line).