Wild Card Lookup Routine

The WILD module is a subroutine designed to centralize and simplify the handling of complex wild-card LOOKUP and ENTER operations on the 5-series monitor's disk structures. It addresses the complexity of directory scanning, device selection, and file structure interpretation, allowing other programs to delegate these tasks. This document provides a complete technical specification of the WILD interface, including:

• Functional Overview: Describes how WILD manages file structure abbreviations, ersatz devices (like SYS:, HLP:), and complex directory scans.
• Subroutine Call Formats: Details the calling sequences for main lookup routines (.LKWLD) and secondary wildcard routines (.SCWLD), including argument block layouts.
• Integration Details: Provides information on register, channel, and memory usage for programs integrating WILD.
• Error Handling: Explains defensive halts and lists standard error message conventions.
• Appendices: Includes a sample program, assembly instructions, and suggestions for future developments.

This document specifically applies to the software as of Version 5.