Restrictions for all HELP files

The following restrictions apply when you create new files or modify existing files for the HELP facility.

  • Name conventions:
  • If your installation uses SFS, you can create your own HELP files on minidisks or in any accessed directory. However, the system HELP disk cannot be replaced by a directory in a file pool.

    You can create your own HELP files, store them in an SFS directory, and HELP displays the files if the directory is accessed. For HELP files that are sent with z/VM, installations continue to use a minidisk.

  • HELPABBR, HELPMENU, and HELPTASK files must have a file mode number of 2.
  • If you have your own set of HELP files, you can do as you wish with them. However, if you share a set of HELP files with other users, you will have to get authority from the system administrator to alter the HELP facility.
  • The length of a record in a HELP file must not exceed 133 characters. Long lines might require scrolling right and left to see the entire line.
    Tip: z/VM HELP files contain lines of 80 characters or less.