ISPF command shell

Figure 1 shows the pop-up prompt window that appears when you enter the ISPF command shell. To get to this window, choose Command from the File action bar choice, then choose ISPF Command Shell on the Command Action prompt panel.

Figure 1. ISPF Command Shell panel (ISRTSO)

   Menu  List  Mode  Functions  Utilities  Help
 ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                               ISPF Command Shell
 Enter TSO or Workstation commands below:

 ===>                                                                          
                                                                               
                                                                               

 Place cursor on choice and press enter to Retrieve command

 => xmit carvm3.userid da('userid.private.clist(types)')seq
 => status
 =>
 =>
 =>
 =>
 =>
 =>
 =>
 =>

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

The ISPF Command Shell option enables you to run TSO commands, CLISTs, and REXX execs under ISPF. This panel has one input field. Type the command and its parameters into the input field, leaving at least one space between the command name and the first parameter. The input field continues for two full lines below the start of the input field. The maximum number of characters that you can enter is 234. For example:

Enter TSO or Work Station commands below

===> SEND 'THIS MESSAGE DEMONSTRATES THAT A TSO COMMAND ENTERED UNDER
ISPF CAN EXCEED ONE LINE ON THE 3270' USER(ALICE)

You can also enter ISPF commands, such as END or RETURN, in this field.

Note: If you enter HELP or CANCEL, it is interpreted as the ISPF Help or Cancel command. To issue TSO Help, enter:

===> TSO HELP xxxxx

To issue TSO Cancel, enter:

===> TSO CANCEL xxxxx

The ISPF command shell option enables you to enter most TSO commands under ISPF. Here is a list of commands that are not supported:

LOGON
LOGOFF
ISPSTART, PDF, and ISPF
TEST
Commands that you are restricted from using by TSO
Commands requiring large parameter lists (234 characters is the maximum allowed, including command name)

You can run command procedures under ISPF, subject to these restrictions:

CLISTs and execs must not invoke restricted commands listed previously.
TERMIN command procedure statements are not supported.

These restrictions also apply to commands entered from other panels.

After you type a command in the input field, press ENTER to start the command. If you are not operating in Session Manager mode, the cursor is positioned below the command input field. Line-at-a-time I/O from the command, if any, starts at the cursor position. When the command finishes, three asterisks (***) may appear on the screen. To return to ISPF full-screen mode, press ENTER.

The ISPF command shell panel is then redisplayed with the command you entered displayed in the command list (unless you entered the TSO or WS prefix, or List mode is set to update off).