Invoking TSO Commands and CLISTs

You can invoke TSO commands and CLISTs from the list panel in any application. TSO commands and CLISTs can be entered on list panels as line operators or list commands. There is also a CLIST line operator.

Invoking TSO Commands and CLISTs from the Command Line

You can directly invoke TSO commands and CLISTs from the command line of any list panel. The command or CLIST is invoked for every entry in the list.

Entering TSO Commands or CLISTs with Parameters

Because these commands and CLISTs often require parameters, the command lineson the list panels allow you to extend parameters to the end of the screen. Figure 1 shows an example of the XMIT command entered from the command line of a data set list panel.

Figure 1. Entering a TSO Command from the Command Line

  Panel  List  Dataset  Utilities  Scroll  Help
-----------------------------------------------
                                DATA SET LIST
Command ===> xmit stlvm27.ibmuser dsn(/) seq

Enter Line Operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
               USER230.ISMF.PLS1
               USER230.ISMF.PLS2
               USER230.ISMF.PLS3
               USER230.ISMF.PLS4

All the entries in the list shown in Figure 1 are sent to the user ID IBMUSER at the node STLVM27.

The parameter for the command shown in Figure 1 requires you to specify the data set name. Since the data set name changes for each entry in the list, you can use a slash character as a substitute for the data set name. Each data set name in the list replaces the slash when the list entry is processed. ISMF replaces only the first occurrence of the slash character with the data set name. For example, there are several slash characters used in the following command:

COMMAND ===> setdate / newdate(88/01/12)

If the data set name for a particular data set is TEST.PLI, ISMF translates the command as follows:

COMMAND ===> SETDATE 'TEST.PLI' NEWDATE(88/01/12)

You can invoke a user CLIST from the command line just like a TSO command. If you do not want the CLIST to be executed as a repeated line operator, prefix the CLIST with the TSO command. To improve performance, you can use a percent character as a prefix to the CLIST name. Figure 2 shows a CLIST with a percent character prefix.

Figure 2. Entering a CLIST from the Command Line

  Panel  List  Dataset  Utilities  Scroll  Help
-----------------------------------------------
                                DATA SET LIST
Command ===> %clistname stlvm27.ibmuser dsn(/)

Enter Line Operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
               USER230.ISMF.PLS1
               USER230.ISMF.PLS2
               USER230.ISMF.PLS3
               USER230.ISMF.PLS4

The percent character is optional.

It causes ISPF to bypass its search through the program libraries and search only the CLIST libraries for the commands. This method of locating the commands specified by the CLIST speeds up execution time by limiting the number of libraries ISPF searches.

Invoking TSO Commands and CLISTs from the Line Operator Column

You can invoke TSO commands and CLISTs for individual data set and volume list entries. These commands and CLISTs are entered just as you would enter them from the command line except that you enter them from the line operator column. When entered as a line operator, they are only invoked for a single entry. From the command line, the CLIST processes each entry in the list.

To enter parameters for these line operators, you can type over the data columns to the right of the line operator column. These data columns can act as input fields for the parameters as far as the right margin of the screen.You cannot scroll right to add more parameters.

You can use the slash character in the parameter of a TSO command or CLIST and the optional percent character prefix with a CLIST as described in Invoking TSO Commands and CLISTs from the Command Line. Figure 3 shows a CLIST with a percent character prefix entered as a line operator.

Figure 3. Entering a CLIST as a Line Operator

  Panel  List  Dataset  Utilities  Scroll  Help
-----------------------------------------------
                                DATA SET LIST
Command ===>

Enter Line operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
               USER230.ISMF.PLS1
   %clistname  stlvm27.ibmuser dsn(/)
               USER230.ISMF.PLS3
               USER230.ISMF.PLS4

Using the CLIST Line Operator

The CLIST line operator allows you to invoke the CLIST Entry Panel. From the CLIST Entry Panel, you can call an existing TSO command procedure (CLIST) or issue a single TSO command. You may enter the CLIST line operator from a data set or volume list panel. Using the CLIST line operator, you can leave the list toperform tasks against individual list entries. The CLIST you call is executed in the foreground. When the CLIST is completed, control returns to ISMF so that you can continue working with the list.

For example, you can use a CLIST to rename a data set or query the DFSMShsm status of a data set. The CLIST name should use a naming convention consistent with the application to which you want to pass data. Table 1 summarizes the CLIST line operator.

Table 1. Summary of the CLIST Line Operator
Task	Function	Scope	Action
Perform any function for which there is a CLIST.	CLIST	Single data set or volume	Invokes a TSO CLIST. Performed in the foreground.

Using ISMF Support for CLISTs

ISMF provides support for user-created commands with a system of variables. You can use these variables in your CLIST to perform the following functions:

Control the processing of your CLIST.
Acquire data on the list panel where your CLIST is invoked.
Save message text while your CLIST is in control.
Acquire data on the list panel entries.
Acquire data on the list panel selection criteria.

Acquiring Data for a User-Created CLIST describes how to use these variables in your CLIST.

Related Reading: For information on coding user-created CLISTs, refer to z/OS TSO/E Programming Guide.