Unformatted system services command syntax

The unformatted system services (USS) table defines the format or syntax of commands that the operator enters. USS commands that can be found in this table include all:
  • DISPLAY commands
  • MODIFY commands
  • VARY commands
When one of the preceding commands is entered by a VTAM® operator (including a program operator), USS performs the following actions:
  • Supplies default values for omitted operands.
  • Detects duplicate or conflicting operands. In either case the command is rejected and an error message is issued.
  • Converts abbreviations or user-defined keywords into keywords acceptable to VTAM command processors. For example, if OPT=CIO is entered on the MODIFY TRACE command, USS converts it to OPTION=CIO because OPT is defined as an abbreviation for the OPTION operand.

The command conversions that are to be done by USS are defined in the IBM®-supplied USS table, ISTINCNO. The system programmer can supply a modified syntax for these commands by using USS facilities. If the syntax of a command has been changed, it is the responsibility of the system programmer to supply the operator with an explanation of the new command syntax. For more information about USS tables, see the z/OS Communications Server: SNA Resource Definition Reference.

Enter the procedure name or procname as the first operand in a USS command. You can enter additional operands in any order. Exceptions to this include operands that normally contain a keyword, but can be abbreviated with a single value (for example, SCOPE=ALL can be abbreviated as ALL on the VARY ACT command and TYPE=IMMED can be abbreviated as IMMED or I on the VARY INACT command). In cases when an operand is coded using an abbreviation and the abbreviation does not include the keyword, the operand must not immediately follow the procedure name.