In deciding how to set up languages for the user, consider how TSO/E locates the language it uses to display information. Figure 1 shows the language search order that TSO/E uses.

Figure 1. TSO/E language search order

TSO/E first checks the logon pre-prompt exit, IKJEFLD1, if it exists. If a language is not defined in IKJEFLD1, then TSO/E takes one of two paths.

If you have RACF® installed, TSO/E uses the primary and secondary languages from the user's RACF language segment if one has been defined. The language segment reflects any changes made by the user with the TSO/E PROFILE command. If a language segment has not been defined for the user, TSO/E uses the installation defaults established using the RACF SETROPTS command. If you have not specified language defaults, mixed case U.S. English (ENU) is used as the primary and secondary languages.

If you do not have RACF installed and your version of the user profile table (UPT) supports languages, TSO/E uses the primary and secondary languages from the UPT. The default values in the UPT for the primary and secondary languages is mixed case U.S. English (ENU), unless the user changes these using the TSO/E PROFILE command.