Variable field lists (FLD)

An FLD statement along with FLDENT statements defines the fields that are displayed on an SDSF panel. It is associated with the field list for a particular panel by a GROUP statement.

Generally, you do not need to define a field list. When a field list is defined in ISFPRMxx, it overrides the default field list supplied by SDSF. In particular, new columns that are added by SDSF will not appear on the panel unless you update your local field list in ISFPRMxx. Additionally, if you are using your field list definition to change the default column order, be aware that the user can change the order by issuing the ARRANGE command. The ARRANGE command can also be used to hide columns and change their default widths. For these reasons, IBM does not recommend you define field lists in ISFPRMxx.

However, you can define a primary and alternate variable field list for each SDSF panel. The primary field list contains those fields that are shown upon entry into a panel. The alternate field list contains fields that can be displayed by use of the ? command.

For using SDSF interactively, it is important to locate overtypeable fields on the panel so that the entire field is visible on one screen. An overtypeable field can be overtyped only when the entire field is visible.

The fields that are available on a panel can also be affected by the JES level. The ARRANGE command allows users to change the order and widths of the fields in each field list.

You can include the ISFEND column in ISFPRMxx. Because the ISFEND column title and width cannot be changed, the TITLE and WIDTH parameters of the FLDENT statement are ignored and message ISF870W is issued. When ISFEND is not included in the field list, SDSF automatically adds it to the end of the list.

With SDSF's support for REXX, users can develop REXX execs that have dependencies on specific columns. You should be aware when removing columns from a field list that this may impact REXX execs.