Multiple physical page input

An input message can consist of more than one physical page. For example, a 3275 or 3277 Model 1 display (480 characters) requires four physical pages for an input message designed to be equal to the 3275 or 3277 Model 2 screen size (1920 characters).

Use the following operational sequence as a guide when preparing procedures for 3270 operators who use Message Format Service (MFS) and enter multiple physical pages of data to create one message.

Figure 1. Data entry sequence for multiple physical pages
This figure illustrates the sequence of entry for multiple physical pages.
Note: The following notes describe the processing that occurs in the previous figure.
  1. IMS sends the data-entry format for the physical pages to the 3270 screen.
  2. The 3270 terminal is ready to accept your input whenever it displays the format of a physical page. You can input data (to start or continue creating a message) or use control functions.
    While the 3270 terminal displays the first physical page of an output message, your action determines what operation IMS performs:
    1. You can enter a message or choose not to enter a message.
      • When the 3270 terminal displays the first physical page and before you signal data entry, the following control functions are valid:
        • The PA1, PA2, and PA3 keys
        • The Clear key
        • The NEXTPP, NEXTMSG, NEXTMSGP, and PAGEREQ functions

        After you signal data entry, the rules for normal message creation apply.

    2. When you do not signal data entry on the first physical page, IMS assumes a display-only operation. When the 3270 terminal is displaying the first physical page, MFS can create an input message only if an output message is still available. An output message is not available if your previous request dequeued the current message and no other messages are enqueued. When IMS displays any page other than the first physical page on a display-only operation, only the following control functions are valid:
      • The Clear key
      • The PA1, PA2, and PA3 keys

      Attempting any other function results in an error message.

    3. You can create an input message and call for entry of that data:

      Enter the required data into the physical page format displayed on the screen and then press Enter. Pressing a PF key that has not been assigned another specific function also causes the data to be entered.

      You may want to advance to the next physical page without entering data from the currently displayed page. When the displayed physical page is not the first physical page, press the PA1 key.

    4. You can signal the end of the current input message by entering the ENDMPPI function.

      MFS edits the data keyed onto the screen and then performs end-of-message procedures to send the message to the message queue.

    5. You can cancel the current input message by pressing one of the Clear, PA2, or PA3 keys, or by entering one of the NEXTLP, NEXTMSGP, or PAGEREQ functions.

      IMS performs the respective function and discards all previous input for the current message.

  3. You signal that the data on the screen is to be entered by pressing the Enter key.

    MFS accepts the data from the 3270 terminal and performs any message editing that is required (inserting fill characters, literals, and so forth).

  4. MFS sends the completed message to the IMS message queue.

    You signal the end of the current message by entering the ENDMPPI function. MFS performs all required message editing and end-of-message procedures.

Additional rules that you must be aware of when you operate a 3270:

  • You can enter the following from any physical page, but only once per message:
    • A PFK literal
    • An immediate pen-detect literal
    • An Op-ID card
  • If you define DFLDs (device fields) with the same label on more than one physical page, MFS accepts data from only the first one defined as a part of the message.