EMAX Pty.Ltd.

ISPF/Dialog Management Services course.

Duration: 5 days

Description: This course introduces the student to the concepts of the IBM ISPF/Dialog Management Services available for use in an IBM TSO or batch environment. It describes the difference the different types of panels and how to use each basic type of screen display. It looks at the importance of help and Tutorial facilities and how to code them. The course looks at how to define messages and the various methods of displaying them ISPF tables, explaining their basic structure and use, and ISPF file tailoring routines (skeletons), with details of how they are defined and executed. Some of the functions available in the latest releases of ISPF are also covered, such as Pop-up screens, Pop-up Messages, Scrollable panels and Action lines. Hands on exercises are designed to teach the student how to use these services and facilities. While ISPF/DMS may be called by many programming languages, all exercises are REXX based to allow for ease of use. ISPF/Library Management Access services are briefly explained but are not included in the exercises.

Upon completion, a student should be able to:

List the functions and services provided by ISPF/DMS and where DMS fits into an MVS and ISPF processing environment.
Invoke ISPF/DMS.
Identify the various mandatory and optional libraries used by ISPF/DMS.
Identify the syntax and use of the ISPF/DMS services.
Identify the difference between the function, application and profile variable pools.
Identify the common system variables available.
Code and use the 5 types of panels available.
Identify the Control Variables, Statements and Built-in Functions available for use in panel definitions.
Describe the use of return codes when displaying panels.
Code Help and Tutorial facilities and recognize the need for them.
Code Messages and Message IDs in the appropriate libraries, and identify the rules regarding message IDs and their use.
Define messages and know the various methods of displaying them.
Define and use tables within ISPF/DMS applications.
Identify the table services used when working with ISPF tables.
Identify the difference between Keyed and Non-Keyed Tables.
Identify the restrictions that must be taken into consideration when using tables.
Code and use ISPF file tailoring routines (skeletons).
Identify the difference between control records and data records in skeletons.
Code basic Pop-up panels and Pop-up messages, Scrollable panels and Action Bars.
Define Application Ids and Command Tables.
Run an ISPF/DMS Application in batch.

Audience: Operations, Production or programming staff with knowledge of at least one programming language.

Prerequisites: Programming experience in a standard language such as COBOL, PLI, REXX or CLIST and a working knowledge of ISPF and its editor environment. A knowledge of REXX is an definite advantage, but not absolutely necessary.