Interacting with z/OS: TSO, ISPF, and z/OS UNIX

interfaces
z/OS concepts

z/OS is ideal for processing batch jobs workloads that run in the background with little or no human
interaction. However, z/OS is just as much an interactive operating system as it is a batch processing
system. By interactive we mean that end users (sometimes tens of thousands of them concurrently)
can use the system through direct interaction, such as commands and menu style user interfaces.

In z/OS, the facility known as Time Sharing Option/Extensions or TSO allows multiple users to log on
and interactively share the resources of the mainframe. TSO also provides users with a limited set of
basic commands; using this set is sometimes called using TSO in its native mode.

ISPF is a menu-driven interface for user interaction with a z/OS system. The ISPF environment is
executed from native TSO. ISPF provides utilities, an editor and ISPF applications to the user. To the
extent permitted by various security controls, an ISPF user has full access to most z/OS system
functions.

TSO/ISPF serves as both a system management interface and a development interface for traditional
z/OS programming.

The z/OS UNIX shell and utilities provide a command interface to the z/OS UNIX environment. You can
access the shell either by logging on to TSO/E or by using the remote login facilities of TCP/IP (rlogin).

If you use TSO/E, a command called OMVS creates a shell for you. You can work in the shell
environment until exiting or temporarily switching back to the TSO/E environment.

What is TSO?
Time Sharing Option/Extensions (TSO/E) allows users to create an interactive session with the
z/OS system. TSO provides a single-user logon capability and a basic command prompt
interface to z/OS.

What is ISPF?
ISPF is a full panel application navigated by keyboard. ISPF includes a text editor and browser,
and functions for locating and listing files and performing other utility functions.

What is z/OS UNIX?

The z/OS UNIX shell and utilities provide an interactive interface to z/OS.

What is TSO?
z/OS concepts

Time Sharing Option/Extensions (TSO/E) allows users to create an interactive session with the z/OS
system. TSO provides a single-user logon capability and a basic command prompt interface to z/OS.

Most users work with TSO through its menu-driven interface, Interactive System Productivity Facility
(ISPF). This collection of menus and panels offers a wide range of functions to assist users in working
with data files on the system. ISPF users include system programmers, application programmers,
administrators, and others who access z/OS. In general, TSO and ISPF make it easier for people with
varying levels of experience to interact with the z/OS system.

In a z/OS system, each user is granted a user ID and a password authorized for TSO logon. Logging on
to TSO requires a 3270 display device or, more commonly, a TN3270 emulator running on a PC.

During TSO logon, the system displays the TSO logon screen on the user's 3270 display device or
TN3270 emulator. The logon screen serves the same purpose as a Windows logon panel.

z/OS system programmers often modify the particular text layout and information of the TSO logon
panel to better suit the needs of the system's users. Therefore, the screen captures used in examples
will likely differ from what you might see on an actual production system.

Figure 1 shows a typical example of a TSO logon screen.

Many of the screen capture examples also show program function (PF) key settings. Because it is
common practice for z/OS sites to customize the PF key assignments to suit their needs, the key
assignments shown in examples might not match the PF key settings in use at your site.

Figure 1. Typical TSO/E logon screen

------------------------------- TSO/E LOGON-----------------------------------

Enter LOGON parameters below: RACF LOGON parameters:

Userid ===> ZUSER

Password ===> New Password ===>

Procedure ===> IKJACCNT Group Ident ===>

Acct Nmbr ===> ACCNT#

Size ===> 860000

Perform ===>

Command ===>

Enter an 'S' before each option desired below:

-Nomail -Nonotice -Reconnect -OIDcard

PF1/PF13 ==> Help PF3/PF15 ==> Logoff PA1 ==>

Attention PA2 ==> Reshow
You may request specific help information by entering a '?' in any
entry field

What is TSO native mode?

Most z/OS sites prefer to have the TSO user session automatically switch to the ISPF interface
after TSO logon. It is possible, however, to use a limited set of basic TSO commands
independent of other complementary programs, such as ISPF. Using TSO in this way is called
using TSO in its native mode.

How are CLISTs and REXX used?

The CLIST and REXX command languages shell script-type processing for TSO users.

What is ISPF?
z/OS concepts

ISPF is a full panel application navigated by keyboard. ISPF includes a text editor and browser, and
functions for locating and listing files and performing other utility functions.

After logging on to TSO, users typically access the ISPF menu. In fact, many use ISPF exclusively for
performing work on z/OS. ISPF menus list the functions that are most frequently needed by online users.

Figure 1 shows the allocate procedure to create a data set using ISPF.

Figure 1. Allocating a data set using ISPF panels

Menu RefList Utilities Help

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocate New Data Set
Command ===>
Data Set Name . . . : ZUSER.TEST.CNTL
Management class . . . (Blank for default management class)
Storage class . . . . (Blank for default storage class)
Volume serial . . . . TEST01 (Blank for system default volume) **
Device type . . . . . (Generic unit or device address) **
Data class . . . . . . (Blank for default data class)
Space units . . . . . TRACK (BLKS, TRKS, CYLS, KB, MB, BYTES
or RECORDS)
Average record unit (M, K, or U)
Primary quantity . . 2 (In above units)
Secondary quantity 1 (In above units)
Directory blocks . . 0 (Zero for sequential data set)*
Record format . . . . F
Record length . . . . 80
Block size . . . . .
Data set name type : (LIBRARY, HFS, PDS, or blank)*
(YY/MM/DD, YYYY/MM/DD
Expiration date . . . YY.DDD, YYYY.DDD in Julian form
Enter "/" to select option DDDD for retention period in days
Allocate Multiple Volumes or blank)

( * Specifying LIBRARY may override zero directory block)

( ** Only one of these fields may be specified)

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F7=Backward F8=Forward F9=Swap F10=Actions F12=Cancel

Figure 2 shows the results of allocating a data set using ISPF panels.

Figure 2. Result of data set allocation using ISPF

Data Set Information

Command ===>

Data Set Name . . . : ZUSER.TEST.CNTL

General Data Current Allocation

Volume serial . . . : TEST01 Allocated tracks . : 2
Device type . . . . : 3390 Allocated extents . : 1
Organization . . . : PS
Record format . . . : F
Record length . . . : 80
Block size . . . . : 80 Current Utilization
1st extent tracks . : 2 Used tracks . . . . : 0
Secondary tracks . : 1 Used extents . . . : 0

Creation date . . . : 2005/01/31

 Referenced date . . : 2005/01/31
Expiration date . . : ***None***

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F7=Backward F8=Forward F9=Swap F12=Cancel

Figure 3 shows the ISPF menu structure.

Figure 3. ISPF menu structure

To access ISPF under TSO, the user enters a command such as ISPPDF from the READY prompt to display
the ISPF Primary Option Menu.

Figure 4 shows an example of the ISPF Primary Menu.

Figure 4. ISPF Primary Option Menu

Menu Utilities Compilers Options Status Help

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISPF Primary Option Menu
Option ===>

0 Settings Terminal and user parameters User ID .: ZUSER

1 View Display source data or listings Time. . .: 17:29
2 Edit Create or change source data Terminal.: 3278
3 Utilities Perform utility functions Screen. .: 1
4 Foreground Interactive language processing Language.: ENGLISH
5 Batch Submit job for language processing Appl ID .: PDF
6 Command Enter TSO or Workstation commands TSO logon: IKJACCT
7 Dialog Test Perform dialog testing TSOprefix: ZUSER
8 LM Facility Library administrator functions System ID: SC04
9 IBM Products IBM program development products MVS acct.: ACCNT#
10 SCLM SW Configuration Library Manager Release .: ISPF 5.2
11 Workplace ISPF Object/Action Workplace
M More Additional IBM Products

Enter X to Terminate using log/list defaults

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F7=Backward F8=Forward F9=Swap F10=Actions F12=Cancel

The ISPF panel can be customized with additional options by the local system programmer. Therefore, it can
vary in features and content from site to site.

To reach the ISPF menu selections shown in Figure 5, you enter M on the option line.

Figure 5. More ISPF options displayed

Menu Help
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IBM Products Panel
More: +
1 SMP/E System Modification Program/Extended
2 ISMF Integrated Storage Management Facility
3 RACF Resource Access Control Facility
4 HCD Hardware Configuration Dialogs
5 SDSF Spool Search and Display Facility
6 IPCS Interactive Problem Control System
7 DITTO DITTO/ESA for MVS Version 1
8 RMF Resource Measurement Facility
9 DFSORT Data Facility Sort
10 OMVS MVS OpenEdition
11 DB2 Data Base Products
12 RRS Resource Recovery Services
13 DB2ADM Data Base Admin Tool
14 QMF Query Management Facility
15 MQ WMQ Series Operations and Control
16 FMN File Manager 3.1 Operations and Control
17 WLM Workload Manager
18 PE Performance Expert

Option ===> 9______________________________________________________________________

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F7=Backward F8=Forward F9=Swap
F10=Actions F12=Cancel

In Figure 5, DFSORT is offered as option 9 on this panel. We will select it now as a useful example of the
ISPF panel-driven applications.

Figure 6 shows the panel that would be displayed for option 9 of ISPF.

Figure 6. SORT panel

DFSORT PRIMARY OPTION MENU

ENTER SELECTION OR COMMAND ===>

SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

0 DFSORT PROFILE - Change DFSORT user profile

1 SORT - Perform Sort Application
2 COPY - Perform Copy Application
3 MERGE - Perform Merge Application
X EXIT - Terminate DFSORT

\----------------------------------------------------/
| \------------------------------------------------/ |
| | Licensed Materials - Property of IBM | |
| | | |
| | 5740-SM1 (C) Copyright IBM Corp. 1988, 1992. | |
| | All rights reserved. US Government Users | |
| | Restricted Rights - Use, duplication or | |
| | disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule | |
| | Contract with IBM Corp. | |
| /------------------------------------------------\ |
/----------------------------------------------------\

USE HELP COMMAND FOR HELP; USE END COMMAND TO EXIT.

F1=HELP F2=SPLIT F3=END F4=RETURN F5=RFIND F6=RCHANGE

F7=UP F8=DOWN F9=SWAP F10=LEFT F11=RIGHT F12=CURSOR

The TSO sort function is available through ISPF as a menu-selectable option. Through the SORT option, the
user can allow ISPF to handle the TSO allocations, create the SORT control statement, and call the SORT
program to produce the results of the sort.

Notice the keyboard program function key (PF key) selections at the bottom of each panel; using PF3 (END)
returns the user to the previous panel.

Although ISPF is a full panel application navigated by keyboard, you may download and install a variety of
ISPF graphical user interface (GUI) clients to include with a z/OS system. After installing the ISPF GUI
client, it is possible to use the mouse.

ISPF keyboard keys and functions

Many screen capture examples show ISPF program function (PF) key settings at the bottom of the
panel. Because it is common for z/OS users to customize the PF key assignments to suit their
needs, the key assignments shown might not match the PF key settings in use on your system.
Actual function key settings vary from customer to customer.

The ISPF Data Set List utility

z/OS users typically use the ISPF Data Set List utility to work with data sets.

The ISPF editor

z/OS users typically use the ISPF editor to create or modify data set members.

The ISPF Settings menu

The ISPF Settings menu and HILITE command allow you to customize the appearance of your ISPF
session.

ISPF keyboard keys and functions

z/OS concepts

Many screen capture examples show ISPF program function (PF) key settings at the bottom of the panel.
Because it is common for z/OS users to customize the PF key assignments to suit their needs, the key
assignments shown might not match the PF key settings in use on your system. Actual function key
settings vary from customer to customer.

Keyboard mapping lists some of the most frequently used PF keys and other keyboard functions and
their corresponding keys.

The examples in this section use these keyboard settings. For example, directions to press Enter mean
that you should press the keyboard's control key (Ctrl) at the lower right. If the keyboard locks up, press
the control key at the lower left.

Table 1. Keyboard mapping

Function Key

Enter Ctrl (right side)

Exit, end, or return PF3

Help PF1

PA1 or Attention Alt-Ins or Esc

PA2 Alt-Home

Cursor movement Tab or Enter

Clear Pause

Page up PF7

Page down PF8

Scroll left PF10

Scroll right PF11

Reset locked keyboard Ctrl (left side)

From the ISPF Primary Menu, press the PF1 HELP key to display the ISPF tutorial. New users of ISPF
should acquaint themselves with the tutorial (Figure 1) and with the extensive online help facilities of
ISPF.

Besides the tutorial, you can access online help from any of the ISPF panels. When you invoke help, you
can scroll through information. Press the PF1-Help key for explanations of common ISPF entry mistakes,
and examples of valid entries. ISPF Help also contains help for the various functions found in the primary
option menu.

Figure 1. ISPF Tutorial main menu

Tutorial --------------------- Table of Contents-------------------- Tutorial

ISPF Program Development Facility Tutorial

The following topics are presented in sequence, or may be selected by entering

a selection code in the option field:
G General - General information about ISPF
0 Settings - Specify terminal and user parameters
1 View - Display source data or output listings
2 Edit - Create or change source data
3 Utilities - Perform utility functions
4 Foreground - Invoke language processors in foreground
5 Batch - Submit job for language processing
6 Command - Enter TSO command, CLIST, or REXX exec
7 Dialog Test - Perform dialog testing
9 IBM Products - Use additional IBM program development products
10 SCLM - Software Configuration and Library Manager
11 Workplace - ISPF Object/Action Workplace
X Exit - Terminate ISPF using log and list defaults
The following topics will be presented only if selected by number:
 A Appendices - Dynamic allocation errors and ISPF listing formats
I Index - Alphabetical index of tutorial topics

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F4=Resize F5=Exhelp F6=Keyshelp

F7=PrvTopic F8=NxtTopic F9=Swap F10=PrvPage F11=NxtPage F12=Cancel

PA1 is a very important key for TSO users and every user should know how to find it on the keyboard.
Back in the early days, the "real" 3270 terminals had keys labeled PA1, PA2, and PA3. These were called
Program Action keys or PA keys. In practice, only PA1 is still widely used and it functions as a break key
for TSO. In TSO terminology, this is an attention interrupt. That is, pressing the PA1 key will end the
current task.

Finding the PA1 key on the keyboard of a 3270 terminal emulator such as TN3270 emulator can be a
challenge. A 3270 emulator can be customized to many different key combinations. On an unmodified
x3270 session, the PA1 key is Left Alt-1.

The ISPF Data Set List utility

z/OS concepts

z/OS users typically use the ISPF Data Set List utility to work with data sets.

To access this utility from the ISPF Primary Option Menu, select Utilities, then select Dslist to display the
Utility Selection Panel, which is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Using the Data Set List utility

Menu RefList RefMode Utilities Help

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data Set List Utility
Option ===> ____________________________________________________________

blank Display data set list P Print data set list

V Display VTOC information PV Print VTOC information

Enter one or both of the parameters below:

Dsname Level . . . ZUSER_______________________________
Volume serial . . ______
Data set list options
Initial View . . . 1 1. Volume Enter "/" to select option
2. Space / Confirm Data Set Delete
3. Attrib / Confirm Member Delete
4. Total / Include Additional Qualifiers

When the data set list is displayed, enter either:

"/" on the data set list command field for the command promptpop-up,
an ISPF line command, the name of a TSO command, CLIST, or REXX exec, or
"=" to execute the previous command.

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F7=Backward F8=Forward F9=Swap F10=Actions F12=Cancel

In the panel, you can use the Dsname Level data entry field to locate and list data sets. To search for
one data set in particular, enter the complete (or fully qualified) data set name. To search for a range
of data sets, such as all data sets sharing a common HLQ, enter only the HLQ in the Dsname Level field.

Qualifiers can be specified fully, partially, or defaulted. At least one qualifier must be partially specified.
To search for a portion of a name, specify an asterisk (*) before or after part of a data set name. Doing
so will cause the utility to return all data sets that match the search criteria. Avoid searching on * alone,
because TSO has many places to search in z/OS so this could take quite awhile.

In the majority of ISPF panels, a fully qualified data set name needs to be enclosed in single quotes.
Data set names not enclosed in single quotes will, by default, be prefixed with a high level qualifier
specified in the TSO PROFILE. This default can be changed using the PROFILE PREFIX command. In
addition, an exception is ISPF option 3.4 DSLIST; do not enclose Dsname Level in quotes on this panel.

For example, if you enter ZUSER in the Dsname field, the utility lists all data sets with ZUSER as a high-
level qualifier. The resulting list of data set names (see Figure 2) allows the user to edit or browse the
contents of any data set in the list.

Figure 2. Data Set List results for dsname ZUSER

Menu Options View Utilities Compilers Help

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSLIST - Data Sets Matching ZUSER Row 1 of 4
Command ===> Scroll ===> PAGE

Command - Enter "/" to select action Message Volume

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZUSER *ALIAS
ZUSER.JCL.CNTL SMITH1
ZUSER.LIB.SOURCE SMITH1
ZUSER.PROGRAM.CNTL SMITH1
ZUSER.PROGRAM.LOAD SMITH1
ZUSER.PROGRAM.SRC SMITH1
***************************** End of Data Set list****************************

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F5=Rfind F7=Up F8=Down F9=Swap F10=Left F11=Right

F12=Cancel

To see all of the possible actions you might take for a given data set, specify a forward slash (/) in the
command column to the left of the data set name. ISPF will display a list of possible actions, as shown
in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Displaying the Data Set List actions

Menu Options View Utilities Compilers Help

- +---------------------------------------------------------------+----------
D ! Data Set List Actions ! Row 1 of 4
C ! ! ===> PAGE
! Data Set: ZUSER.PROGRAM.CNTL !
C ! ! Volume
- ! DSLIST Action !-----------
! __ 1. Edit 12. Compress ! *ALIAS
/ ! 2. View 13. Free ! SMITH1
! 3. Browse 14. Print Index ! SMITH1
! 4. Member List 15. Reset ! SMITH1
* ! 5. Delete 16. Move !***********
! 6. Rename 17. Copy !
! 7. Info 18. Refadd !
! 8. Short Info 19. Exclude !
! 9. Print 20. Unexclude 'NX' !
! 10. Catalog 21. Unexclude first 'NXF' !
! 11. Uncatalog 22. Unexclude last 'NXL' !
! !
! Select a choice and press ENTER to process data set action. !
 ! F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F7=Backward !
! F8=Forward F9=Swap F12=Cancel !
+---------------------------------------------------------------+

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F5=Rfind F7=Up F8=Down F9=Swap F10=Left F11=Right

F12=Cancel

The ISPF editor

z/OS concepts

z/OS users typically use the ISPF editor to create or modify data set members.

To access the editor, select 2 from the ISPF Primary Option Menu and, on the Edit Entry panel, enter the
name of the data set that you want to create or modify.

In edit mode, each line of text in the data set is known as a record. You can perform the following
tasks:

To edit the contents of a data set, move the cursor to the area of the record to be changed and
type over the existing text.
To find and change text, you can enter commands on the editor command line.
To insert, copy, delete, or move text, place these commands directly on the line numbers where
the action should occur.

To commit your changes, use PF3 or save. To exit the data set without saving your changes,
enter Cancelon the edit command line.

Figure 1 shows the contents of data set ZUSER.PROGRAM.CNTL(SORTCNTL) opened in edit mode.

Figure 1. Edit a data set

File Edit Edit_Settings Menu Utilities Compilers Test Help

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT ZUSER.PROGRAM.CNTL(SORTCNTL) - 01.00 Columns 00001 00072

Command ===> Scroll ===> CSR

**************************** Top of Data *****************************

000010 SORT FIELDS=(1,3,CH,A)

*************************** Bottom of Data ***************************

Take a look at the line numbers, the text area, and the editor command line. Primary command line, line
commands placed on the line numbers, and text overtype are three different ways in which you can
modify the contents of the data set. Line numbers increment by 10 with the TSO editor so that the
programmer can insert nine additional lines between each current line without having to renumber the
program.

PF1 in edit mode displays the entire editor tutorial (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Edit Help panel and tutorial

TUTORIAL -------------------------- EDIT ----------------------------- TUTORIAL

OPTION ===>

-----------------------------------
| EDIT |
-----------------------------------

Edit allows you to create or change source data.

The following topics are presented in sequence, or may be selected by number:

0 - General introduction 8 - Display modes(CAPS/HEX/NULLS)
1 - Types of data sets 9 - Tabbing (hardware/software/logical)
2 - Edit entry panel 10 - Automatic recovery
3 - SCLM edit entry panel 11 - Edit profiles
4 - Member selection list 12 - Edit line commands
5 - Display screen format 13 - Edit primary commands
6 - Scrolling data 14 - Labels and line ranges
7 - Sequence numbering 15 - Ending an edit session

The following topics will be presented only if selected by number:

16 - Edit models
17 - Miscellaneous notes about edit

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F4=Resize F5=Exhelp F6=Keyshelp

F7=PrvTopic F8=NxtTopic F9=Swap F10=PrvPage F11=NxtPage F12=Cancel

A subset of the line commands includes:

i
Insert a line
Enter
Press Enter without entering anything to escape insert mode
i5
Obtain five input lines
d
Delete a line
d5
Delete five lines
dd/dd
Delete a block of lines
r
Repeat a line
rr/rr
Repeat a block of lines
c
With a or b: Copy a line after or before
c5
With a or b: Copy five lines after or before
cc/cc
With a or b: Copy a block of lines after or before
m
Move lines. As with copy commands, m5, mm/mm and use with a or b are also valid
commands.
x
Exclude a line

The ISPF Settings menu

z/OS concepts

The ISPF Settings menu and HILITE command allow you to customize the appearance of your ISPF
session.

To access and change ISPF settings, do the following:

1. From the ISPF Primary Option Menu, select option 0 to display the Settings menu, as shown
in Figure 1.
2. In the list of options, type or remove the "/" on the line corresponding to the setting that you
want to change. Use the Tab or New line key to move the cursor.

Figure 1. ISPF settings

Log/List Function keys Colors Environ Workstation Identifier Help

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISPF Settings
Command ===>

Options Print Graphics

Enter "/" to select option Family printer type 2
_ Command line at bottom Device name . . . .
/ Panel display CUA mode Aspect ratio . . . 0
/ Long message in pop-up
_ Tab to action bar choices
_ Tab to point-and-shoot fields General
/ Restore TEST/TRACE options Input field pad . . B
_ Session Manager mode Command delimiter . ;
/ Jump from leader dots
_ Edit PRINTDS Command
/ Always show split line
_ Enable EURO sign

Terminal Characteristics
Screen format 2 1. Data 2. Std 3. Max 4. Part

Terminal Type 3 1. 3277 2. 3277A 3. 3278 4. 3278A

5. 3290A 6. 3278T 7. 3278CF 8. 3277KN
9. 3278KN 10. 3278AR 11. 3278CY 12. 3278HN
13. 3278HO 14. 3278IS 15. 3278L2 16. BE163
17. BE190 18. 3278TH 19. 3278CU 20. DEU78
21. DEU78A 22. DEU90A 23. SW116 24. SW131
25. SW500

The actions in the bar across the top usually vary from site to site.

Another way to customize ISPF panels is with the hilite command, as shown in Figure 2 . This command
allows you to tailor various ISPF options to suit the needs of your environment.

Figure 2. Using the HILITE command

File Languages Colors Help

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit Color Settings
Command ===> (this menu shows up when you type "hilite")

Language: 1. Automatic Coloring: 1. Do not color program

2. Assembler 2. Color program
3. BookMaster 3. Both IF and DO logic
4. C 4. DO logic only
5. COBOL 5. IF logic only
6. IDL
7. ISPF DTL Enter "/" to select option
 8. ISPF Panel Parentheses matching
9. ISPF Skeleton / Highlight FIND strings
10. JCL / Highlight cursor phrase
11. Pascal
12. PL/I Note: Information from this...
13. REXX saved in the edit profile.

F1=Help F2=Split F3=Exit F7=Backward F8=Forward

F9=Swap F10=Actions F12=Cancel