As an interactive dialog, ISPF communicates with you through panels and messages. Ordinarily, the first panel you see when you enter the ISPF command is the ISPF Primary Option Menu, shown in Figure 1. Panels display data, selection lists, and data-entry fields, such as a data set name or an ISPF command.

ISPF responds interactively to the information or command you enter by displaying another panel, displaying a message, or carrying out a command. For more information about how panels and messages are displayed, see Understanding ISPF panels.

One helpful aspect of your interaction with ISPF is the online tutorial. If you need information about using the online tutorial, see the topic about ISPF Tutorial Panels in z/OS ISPF Dialog Developer's Guide and Reference.