VT52: Difference between revisions
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The | The '''VT52''' was a very popular [[video terminal]] by [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]], introduced in 1975. The [[cathode ray tube|CRT]] displayed 24 lines of 80 characters in both upper and lower case. | ||
[[Image:vt52.jpg|thumb|right|VT52 terminal]] | [[Image:vt52.jpg|thumb|right|VT52 terminal]] | ||
It | It used a custom processor built from [[transistor-transistor logic|TTL]] parts to execute 1024 words of 8-bit wide [[microcode]]. The [[data path]] was 7 bits wide, as was the 2048-word [[Random Access Memory|RAM]]. | ||
The predecessor '''VT50''' was almost identical, except there was only 512 words of microcode, 1024 words of RAM, the CRT display 12 lines, and text was upper case only. | |||
A VT52-compatible terminal emulator was used in the [[Atari]] [[Atari TOS|TOS]] [[operating system]]. | A VT52-compatible terminal emulator was used in the [[Atari]] [[Atari TOS|TOS]] [[operating system]]. | ||
==Escape sequences== | ==Escape sequences== | ||
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| Disable Line Wrap || ESC w || | | Disable Line Wrap || ESC w || | ||
|} | |} | ||
{{semi-stub}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/terminal/vt52/EK-VT52-MM-002_maint_Jul78.pdf VT52 DECscope Maintenance Manual] (EK-VT52-MM-002) | ** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/terminal/vt52/EK-VT52-MM-002_maint_Jul78.pdf VT52 DECscope Maintenance Manual] (EK-VT52-MM-002) | ||
** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/terminal/vt52/MP00035_VT52schem.pdf VT52 Field Maintenance Print Set] (MP00035) | ** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/terminal/vt52/MP00035_VT52schem.pdf VT52 Field Maintenance Print Set] (MP00035) | ||
* [https://vt100.net/dec/ek-vt502-pg-001.pdf VT50/VT52 Pocket Service Guide] (EK-VT502-PG-001) | |||
* [https://vt100.net/dec/ek-vt55e-tm-001.pdf VT55-E,F,H,J DECgraphic Scope Users' Manual] (EK-VT55E-TM-001) | |||
* [https://github.com/larsbrinkhoff/vt52-simulator/tree/master/rom Microcode ROM images] | * [https://github.com/larsbrinkhoff/vt52-simulator/tree/master/rom Microcode ROM images] | ||
* [https://github.com/fritzm/vt52/tree/master/data Character generator ROM image] | * [https://github.com/fritzm/vt52/tree/master/data Character generator ROM image] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:18, 7 October 2026
The VT52 was a very popular video terminal by DEC, introduced in 1975. The CRT displayed 24 lines of 80 characters in both upper and lower case.
It used a custom processor built from TTL parts to execute 1024 words of 8-bit wide microcode. The data path was 7 bits wide, as was the 2048-word RAM.
The predecessor VT50 was almost identical, except there was only 512 words of microcode, 1024 words of RAM, the CRT display 12 lines, and text was upper case only.
A VT52-compatible terminal emulator was used in the Atari TOS operating system.
Escape sequences
Due to its popularity, the VT52 escape sequences became a de facto standard for microcomputers for a while, before VT100 and ANSI took over.
| Name | Sequence | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Line Feed | LF | Move cursor down. On last line, scroll text up. |
| Cursor Down | ESC B | Move cursor down. On last line, do not scroll. |
| Reverse Line Feed | ESC I | Move cursor up. On first line, scroll text down. |
| Cursor Up | ESC A | Move cursor up. On first line, do not scroll. |
| Cursor Right | ESC C | Move cursor right. On last column, stay there. |
| Cursor Left | ESC D, or BS | Move cursor left. On first column, stay there. |
| Home | ESC H | Move cursor to top line, first column. |
| Carriage Return | CR | More cursor to first column. |
| TAB | Move cursor to next tab stop. | |
| Direct Cursor Addressing | ESC Y <line> <column> | Move cursor. |
| Erase to End of Line | ESC K | Erase from cursor position to end of line. |
| Erase to End of of Screen | ESC J | Erase from cursor position to end of screen. |
| Ring the Bell | BEL | Sound the buzzer |
| Identify Terminal Type | ESC Z | Respond e.g. "ESC K" for a plain VT52. |
| Enter Hold Screen Mode | ESC [ | |
| Exit Hold Screen Mode | ESC \ | |
| Enter Alternate Keypad Mode | ESC = | |
| Exit Alternate Keypad Mode | ESC > | |
| Enter Graphics Mode | ESC F | |
| Exit Graphics Mode | ESC G | |
| Extensions from Digital Research | ||
| Erase and Home | ESC E | Erase screen and move cursor to top line, first column. |
| Erase Current Line | ESC l | |
| Erase to Beginning of Line | ESC o | |
| Erase to Beginning of Screen | ESC d | |
| Insert Line | ESC L | |
| Save Cursor Position | ESC j | |
| Restore Cursor Position | ESC k | |
| Reverse Video | ESC p | |
| Normal Video | ESC q | |
| Set Foreground Color | ESC b <color> | |
| Set Background Color | ESC c <color> | |
| Enable Cursor | ESC e | |
| Disable Cursor | ESC d | |
| Enable Line Wrap | ESC v | |
| Disable Line Wrap | ESC w | |
External links
- VT52 - documentation at Bitsavers
- DECscope Users' Manual (EK-VT5X-OP-001)
- VT52 DECscope Maintenance Manual (EK-VT52-MM-002)
- VT52 Field Maintenance Print Set (MP00035)
- VT50/VT52 Pocket Service Guide (EK-VT502-PG-001)
- VT55-E,F,H,J DECgraphic Scope Users' Manual (EK-VT55E-TM-001)
- Microcode ROM images
- Character generator ROM image
- VT52 hardware simulation
| v • d • e DEC Terminals and Printers |
|---|
| Hardcopy Terminals - DECwriter • DECwriter II • DECwriter III • DECwriter IV
CRT Terminals - VT05 • VT52 • VT100 • VT220 • VT240 • VT320 Monitors - VR201 |
