Choosing between Using RACF Commands and ISPF Panels

In general, you can perform the same RACF functions using RACF commands and ISPF panels.

The RACF commands provide the following advantages:

Entering commands can be faster than displaying many panels in sequence.
Using commands from book descriptions should be relatively straightforward. The examples in the books are generally command examples.
Getting online HELP
- To see online help for the PERMIT command when you are using the RAC command, enter:
```
RAC HELP PERMIT
```
- In a RACF command session, enter:
```
HELP PERMIT
```
- To limit the information displayed, specify operands on the HELP command. To see only the syntax of the PERMIT command, enter:
```
HELP PERMIT SYNTAX    or    RAC HELP PERMIT SYNTAX
```

The ISPF panels provide the following advantages:

ISPF creates a summary record in the ISPF log of the work that you do; unless you spool your console on z/VM (see CMS User's Guide), the RACF commands do not create such a record.
From the panels, you can press the HELP key to display brief descriptions of the fields on the panels.
The options chosen when installing the RACF panels determine whether output (for example, profile listings, search results, RACF options, and z/VM event settings) is displayed in a scrollable form.
On z/VM, if your installation uses XEDIT for display in ISPF, you can even save the listings on your A-disk. You can also save the output from a SEARCH (including SRFILE and SRDIR) in a REXX exec.
The ISPF panels for working with z/VM events provide selection lists. Using the selection lists, you can avoid typing errors when specifying RACF event names.
The ISPF panels for working with password rules allow you to enter all the password rules on one panel.