Using Line Operators and List Commands

This section provides information on how to use line operators and list commands.

Entering Line Operators and List Commands

Whereas line operators work with the individual entries in a data set or volume list, list commands allow you to perform an operation against all the entries in a list at one time. Enter line operators in the line operator field and list commands on the command line.

Line Operators

Line operators work with the individual entries in a data set or volume list. You enter line operators in the line operator field, column 1, next to the data set or volume entries you want to affect. For example, to tailor your list and exclude a data set from the list, enterthe HIDE line operator next to the name of the data set you want to exclude (see Figure 1). The entry is hidden, and the warning line contains the reminder **ENTRIES HIDDEN**. A hidden entry is not affected by list commands.

Figure 1. Entering the HIDE Line Operator

   Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  DATA SET LIST
 Command ===>                                                  Scroll ===> HALF
                                                            Entries 1-14 of 389
 Enter Line Operators below:                                View in Use
                                                        **ENTRIES HIDDEN**
      LINE                                                    DEVICE  COMPRESSED
      OPERATOR                  DATA SET NAME                 TYPE    FORMAT
     ---(1)----  --------------------(2)--------------------- -(19)-- -------
                 SYS1.ABUSBINR                                ??????? ???

If you have entered a storage management command, such as the COMPRESS line operator, ISMF then displays the COMPRESS Entry Panel, which lets you display and change processing options for the COMPRESS line operator.

List Commands

List commands allow you to perform an operation against all the entries in a list at one time. You enter list commands on the command line of the list panel. For example, if you want to build a job to compress all the data sets in the list instead of a single data set, you can use COMPRESS as a list command (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Entering the COMPRESS List Command

   Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
 --------------------------------------------
                                DATA SET LIST
Command ===> compress

Enter Line Operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
               USER230.ISMF.ALIST
               USER230.ISMF.CLIST
               USER230.ISMF.DGTLLIB

When you enter a list command, ISMF displays the entry panel associated with the list command. Like the entry panels for line operators, the entry panels for storage management list commands allow you to display and change the processing options for executing the command. The entry panels for list customization commands such as FILTER, VIEW, or SORT, for example, allow you to change the selection criteria for the command.

Each time you enter a storage management list command, ISMF scans the entire list to make sure that each entry is correct before attempting to process the command. For example, when you issue the COMPRESS list command, ISMF checks to make sure that the list consists of only partitioned data sets before displaying the entry panel associated with COMPRESS. The list command is not executed if there are any entries in error or if you try to use a list command and line operator at the same time.

Abbreviating Line Operators and List Commands

When you enter a line operator or a list command, you can use the full word or you can abbreviate it by specifying enough of the word to make the command identifiable. ISMF scans from left to right in the line operator field or on the command line until any ambiguity is resolved. You can enter COP for COPY, COM for COMPRESS, REST for RESTORE, and REL for RELEASE.

Table 1 and Table 2, lists the minimum abbreviations for line operators and list commands. TSO CLIST names, such as CATLIST, cannot be abbreviated.

Short Ways of Entering Line Operators

This section applies to line operators only.

Entering More Than One Line Operator on an Entry

If you want to perform several operations on one data set or volume, you can do so by entering the new line operator, or abbreviation, followed by a single blank space. ISMF recognizes the new line operator even if you do not blank out the remaining characters of the previous line operator.

For example, if you want to replace COMPRESS with DUMP, you do not need to erase the remaining characters in COMPRESS. Just enter DUMP (or DU) followed by one or more blank spaces (see Figure 3).

Figure 3. Reusing the Line Operator Field

   Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
 --------------------------------------------
                                DATA SET LIST
Command ===>

Enter Line Operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
   DUMP ESS    USER230.ISMF.PLS3

Repeat Line Operator

Use the repeat line operator to respecify a line operator against an entry that follows later in the list. ISMF repeats the last line operator executed when it finds an equal sign (=) in the line operator column. By using the equal sign, you do not have to reenter the same line operator for each list entry.

For example, Figure 4 shows how you can execute the same line operator over a number of data sets with the repeat line operator.A line operator is entered against all but one of the list entries. ISMF processes the COMPRESS line operator against the first, second and fourth list entries and the DELETE line operator against the next four entries.

Figure 4. Using the Repeat Line Operator

  Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
--------------------------------------------
                                DATA SET LIST
Command ===>

Enter Line Operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
   compress    USER230.ISMF.PLS01
   =           USER230.ISMF.PLS02
               USER230.ISMF.PLS03
   =           USER230.ISMF.PLS04
   delete      USER230.ISMF.PLS05
   =           USER230.ISMF.PLS06
   =           USER230.ISMF.PLS07
   =           USER230.ISMF.PLS08

The repeat line operator can be used in last-use mode. See Repeat Line Operator in Last-Use Mode.

Line Operator Mode

There are two ways to enter line operators: normal mode and last-use mode. List commands can only be entered in normal mode.

In normal mode, enter the line operator by itself in the line operator field (for example, COMPRESS in Figure 4). ISMF displays the entry panel associated with the line operator you specify. You can then display or change the processing options on the entry panel.

In last-use mode, enter the line operator followed by an equal sign in the line operator field. ISMF does not display the entry panel for the line operator. Instead, the line operator is processed with the values present on the entry panel the last time the line operator was executed. In Figure 5, COMPRESS is specified in last-use mode.

Figure 5. Specifying a Line Operator in Last-Use Mode

  Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
---------------------------------------------
                              DATA SET LIST
Command ===>

Enter Line Operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
   com=        USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL

Instead of displaying the COMPRESS Entry Panel and the background job submission panels, ISMF uses the processing options that you specified the last time you used the COMPRESS line operator.

If you chose to submit the last job immediately, the new job is sent to the job queue. If you chose to save the job stream in a data set the last time you submitted a background job, the new job is also saved. However, the new job is added to the end of the data set regardless of the option you specified the last time you used the Job Submission Entry Panel.

Repeat Line Operator in Last-Use Mode

You can use the repeat line operator in last-use mode.Two equal signs together in the line operator column repeat the previous line operator in last-use mode. Figure 6 shows an example of the repeat line operator.

Figure 6. Specifying a Repeat Line Operator in Last-Use Mode

  Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
--------------------------------------------
                              DATA SET LIST
Command ===>

Enter Line Operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
   com=        USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL1
   ==          USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL2
   ==          USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL3
   com         USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL4
   =           USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL5
   =           USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL6

In Figure 6, the first three data sets are compressed using last-use mode. The last three data sets are compressed using normal mode. The COMPRESS Entry Panel is displayed for the last three data sets. For information on the repeat line operator, see Repeat Line Operator.

Using Parameters with Line Operators and List Commands

You can use TSO commands and CLISTs as line operators to perform functions against single list entries, and as list commands to perform functions against all entries in the list. These commands often require parameters. You can specify TSO commands and CLISTs with parameters from any application. Refer to Invoking TSO Commands and CLISTs for more information.

Line Operator and List Command Feedback and Fixes

ISMF provides feedback for both successful completion or submission of line operators and for error conditions.

Getting Feedback

ISMF informs you upon successful or unsuccessful completion of a command.

Successful Completion of Line Operators and List Commands

When a line operator is successful, ISMFinserts an asterisk before the line operator in the line operator field. When a list command is successful, all the entries in the list are preceded with an asterisk and the command. In both cases, a short message in the upper right corner of the screen indicates that the operation has completed successfully. Abbreviations are replaced with the full word. Figure 7 shows the feedback for the DUMP line operator entered in Figure 3. The asterisk represents a return code of 0.

Figure 7. Asterisk Symbol Showing Successful Completion of a Line Operator

  Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
--------------------------------------------
                                DATA SET LIST
Command ===>

Enter Line Operators Below:

    LINE
    OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME
   ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------
   *DUMP       USER230.ISMF.PLS3

If the COMPRESS command issued in Figure 2 is successful, the data set list will contain the asterisk history symbols next to each data set entry and the short message shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8. Asterisk History Symbol Showing Successful Completion of a List Command

  Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 DATA SET LIST             COMPRESS JOB CREATED
 Command ===>                                                  SCROLL ===> PAGE
                                                          Entries 1-14 of 18
 Enter Line Operators Below:                              Data Columns 3-5 of 42

     LINE                                      ALLOC      ALLOC    % NOT  
     OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME           SPACE      USED     USED   
    ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------  ---(3)---  ---(4)---  -(5)-  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.ALIST               1020K      1020K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.CLIST               1020K      1020K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.DGTLLIB              464K       464K      0

Tips

Because ISMF does not process line operators preceded by an asterisk, the asterisk history symbol gives you a record of the line operators you have used.
You can also use an asterisk as the first character for any comments you want to place in the line operator field. The information following the asterisk (both comments and successful line operators) remains in the line operator field until you perform one of the following actions:
- Blank out the field.
- Enter the CLEAR command on the command line. CLEAR erases pending line operators and line operator history symbols for all entries in the list except those hidden or excluded by filtering.
- Refresh the list or construct another list using different selection criteria.
- Exit the application.

Error Condition that Affects a Line Operator or List Command

When there is an error during the execution of a line operator or list command, and the error is not severeenough to keep ISMF from processing the rest of the list, ISMFdisplays the line operator or command next to the list entry that failed and prefixes them with a not sign (¬). The list entry is bypassed, and processing continues for the rest of the line operators or entries in the list, as shown in Figure 9. The not sign prefix represents a return code of 4.

Figure 9 shows a data set list where all the list entries except the fifth one have been processed successfully.

Figure 9. Not Sign Showing Unsuccessful Completion of a List Command

  Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 DATA SET LIST             COMPRESS JOB CREATED
 Command ===>                                                  SCROLL ===> PAGE
                                                          Entries 1-14 of 18
 Enter Line Operators Below:                              Data Columns 3-5 of 42
                                                        **ENTRIES HIDDEN**
     LINE                                      ALLOC      ALLOC    % NOT  
     OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME           SPACE      USED     USED   
    ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------  ---(3)---  ---(4)---  -(5)-  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.ALIST               1020K      1020K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.CLIST               1020K      1020K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.DGTLLIB              464K       464K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.DGTMLIB               46K        40K     13  
    ¬COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.DGTPLIB              649K       649K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.DGTSLIB              139K        93K     33  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL             1020K      1020K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.ISPPLIB              278K       278K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.ISPSLIB               93K        93K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.JCL                  417K       417K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.LKED                  93K        93K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.MACLIB               185K       185K      0  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.OBJ                  139K        93K     33  
    *COMPRESS   USER230.ISMF.PLIST              1020     1020      0  ---

Error Condition that Affects the List Processing

If there is an error during the execution of a line operator or list command that is so severe thatISMF cannot continue with the rest of the list, ISMF prefixes the line operator with a question mark. For a list command, ISMF displays the command next to the list entry that failed and prefixes the command with a question mark. A question mark represents a return code greater than 4.

For example, ISMF could not continue processing the list shown in Figure 10 once the error occurred on the fourth line operator.

Figure 10. Example of a Question Mark Return Code Symbol for a Line Operator

  Panel List Dataset Utilities Scroll Help
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 DATA SET LIST                  INVALID COMMAND
 Command ===>                                                  SCROLL ===> PAGE
                                                          Entries 1-14 of 18
 Enter Line Operators Below:                              Data Columns 3-5 of 42

     LINE                                      ALLOC      ALLOC    % NOT  
     OPERATOR          DATA SET NAME           SPACE      USED     USED   
    ---(1)----  ------------(2)------------  ---(3)---  ---(4)---  -(5)-  
    *COPY       USER230.ISMF.ALIST               1020K      1020K      0  
    *COPY       USER230.ISMF.CLIST               1020K      1020K      0  
    *COPY       USER230.ISMF.DGTLLIB              464K       464K      0  
    ?COPY       USER230.ISMF.DGTMLIB               46K        40K     13  
    COPY        USER230.ISMF.DGTPLIB              649K       649K      0  
    COPY        USER230.ISMF.DGTSLIB              139K        93K     33  
    COPY        USER230.ISMF.DGTTABL             1020K      1020K      0  
    COPY        USER230.ISMF.ISPPLIB              278K       278K      0  
                USER230.ISMF.ISPSLIB               93K        93K      0  
                USER230.ISMF.JCL                  417K       417K      0  
                USER230.ISMF.LKED                  93K        93K      0  
                USER230.ISMF.MACLIB               185K       185K      0  
                USER230.ISMF.OBJ                  139K        93K     33  
                USER230.ISMF.PLIST               1020K      1020K      0

Correcting Errors for Line Operators and List Commands

You have several options to correct an error for a line operator prefixed with either a not sign (¬) or a question mark (?):

Correct any obvious spelling errors, erase the history symbol, and retry the line operator.
Use the HELP command to display the long error message and the message help panel for information to help you correct the error.
Enter the MESSAGE line operator on top of the line operator with the error. ISMF displays a message on the particular line operator that can help you diagnose the problem. For more information, see MESSAGE Line Operator.
Hide the list entry and continue working with the list.
Erase the line operator field in error and continue working with the list.
Enter the CLEAR command on the command line. This clears the entire line operator column and cancels any pending line operators. Then retry the line operator that caused the error.
Press ENTER again to continue working with the list.

You have several options to correct errors for list commands:

Use the HELP command to display the long error message and the message help panel for information to help you correct the error.
Blank out the command line and issue the MESSAGE line operator against the list entry causing the problem. ISMF displays a series of messages that can help you diagnose the problem. See MESSAGE Line Operator for more information.
Use the HIDE line operator to exclude the entry causing the error from the list. Enter H followed by a blank space in the line operator field of the entry you want to hide. ISMF executes the HIDE line operator and continues processing the list beginning with the first entry on the list. If there are no other entries in error, the entry panel for the list command is displayed.
Clear the command line by blanking out the list command. This cancels the list command.