  The terse masked input dept 
 The Question is:
 
I would like to know if there is dcl code you can use to mask the input of a
 user in OpenVMS?  I'm trying to customize users accounts in our area and would
 appreciate the help. If it isn't dcl code how would you do so?  Thanks.
 
Tim
 
 The Answer is :
 
  Please contact the support center, as there is insufficient
  information included -- as stated in the introduction, many
  one- or two-line questions are surprisingly difficult for
  the OpenVMS Wizard to answer, as such questions often lack
  sufficient context.  Without details of what you mean by
  your use of the mask phrasing in this context, the OpenVMS
  Wizard is unable to provide an answer.
 
  If by mask you mean to prompt for a password or otherwise
  not display output, first realize that this is something
  that the OpenVMS Wizard STRONGLY DISCOURAGES, for reasons
  including accountability and security -- but consider the
  following approach if you wish to RISK SYSTEM SECURITY
  and to effectively DISPENSE WITH USER ACCOUNTABILITY.
 
 
  $ On Warning Then Goto End
  $ On CONTROL_Y Then Goto End
  $ TT_NoEcho = f$getdvi("TT:", "TT_NoEcho")
  $ If (.Not. TT_NoEcho) Then -
  $   Set Terminal /NoEcho
  $ Read Sys$Command Pwd /Prompt="Pwd: " /End=End
  $ Set Terminal /Echo
  $ If (Pwd .Eqs. "") Then Goto End
  $ !
  .
  .
  .
  $End:
  $ If (.Not. TT_NoEcho) Then -
  $   Set Terminal /Echo
  $ Exit
  $ !
 
 
  If you wish to maintain security, provide the users with
  unique usernames, and passwords -- do NOT allow usernames
  and passwords to be shared.  Group usernames are hazardous,
  and require exceedingly careful DCL coding lest security
  problems be introduced.
 
  If you wish information on DCL programming, please see the
  OpenVMS User's Guide in the HP OpenVMS manual set and the
  Guide to Writing Real Programs In DCL from DIGITAL Press.
 
  Again, terse questions are difficult to answer -- the OpenVMS
  Wizard has GUESSED at your intended question, and may or may
  not have answered the actual question.
 
 Answer written or last revised on  7-JUN-2003 
