Line command
A short command typed next to one line or item on an ISPF screen, as opposed to a primary command typed on the command line.
Also written primary command, prefix command, prefix area, ISPF line commands
ISPF has two places to type commands. A primary command goes on the command line at the top of the screen and acts on everything, such as FIND, CHANGE, SAVE or SUBMIT. A line command goes next to one line or one item and acts on that line only.
In the editor, the line commands go in the column of line numbers on the left. I inserts a new line, D deletes a line and R repeats it. C copies a line and M moves it, and you then mark where it goes with A for after or B for before. Doubling the letter works on a block: CC on the first line and CC on the last copies everything between them.
You can add a number to repeat a command. D5 deletes five lines. I10 inserts ten empty lines.
Lists work the same way. In DSLIST, SDSF and member lists, you type a letter next to an item, such as S to select it or B to browse it, and press Enter. Once you know where each kind of command goes, most ISPF screens feel familiar.
Where can I learn this hands-on?
Right here, at ZedBank. You take a junior job at a simulated bank and learn each part of the work by doing it, with Zed beside you. There's nothing to install.
Start at ZedBankRelated
- ISPF editorThe full-screen text editor used to write and change JCL, COBOL, REXX and anything else held in a dataset.
- ISPFThe full-screen, menu-driven workbench most people use to do their day-to-day work on z/OS.
- ISPF panelA single screen within ISPF, whether a menu, a list or a form, identified by a number you can jump straight to.
- SDSFThe tool for looking at what jobs are running, what has finished, and what output they produced.
- PF keysThe function keys F1 to F24, which carry the main actions on a mainframe screen: help, exit, save, page up and down.