In this course, you will be using TSO and ISPF on the Marist College z/OS system to perform your JCL-writing assignments.

The ISPF/PDF Primary Option Menu

Take another look at the ISPF/PDF Primary Option Menu. (Use QWS3270 to connect to Marist College, or click here to see a sample.)

The line at the bottom of the panel, starting with "F1=HELP ...", is a list of the functions on this panel that can be performed by pressing one of the four named Program Function Keys.

Program function keys were an innovation available on 3270 terminals, and were popularized by SPF and later ISPF. With QWS3270, your 3270 terminal emulator, those keys are mapped to the keys F1 through F12 at the top of almost every PC keyboard.

Downloadable Help Documents

The following MS Word documents will help you use QWS3270 and ISPF; they can be downloaded in the same way that you downloaded the file QWS3270.ZIP (from "Files to Download" in "Course Study Tools"):

• ISPFPFKs.doc is a document listing the ISPF function keys, formatted to be placed above a PC keyboard's function keys. Print it, cut it out, and put it on your keyboard to help you use ISPF.
• QWS3270.doc was copied from the information shown by selecting "Keyboard Mapping" fom the QWS3270 "Help" menu. It describes QWS3270's PC-to-3270 keyboard mapping.

ISPF Help

In ISPF, at any time you can press F1, the ISPF "help" key, to get an explanation of an error message, or to access a more extensive tutorial.

You can always return from ISPF help function or the ISPF tutorial by pressing the F3 key. e.g. When you're logged on and using ISPF, press F1 to display the main ISPF help panel, and then F3 to return to the Primary Option Menu.

If you're feeling ambitious, press F1 and navigate the ISPF tutorial: Type a character matching a listed choice and press the Enter key, then repeat that process until you find the Help you're looking for. (Pressing F1 within the Tutorial will provide you with instructions on how to access the tutorial itself.)

When you're ready, click on Next in the above ACTION MENU to learn how to create a Library to contain your JCL.