Software contributions to the MVS 3.8J enthusiasts and hobbyists community are listed below in chronological order with most current announcement at top.
Also, current development workload in progress is listed for awareness purposes to be published and announced at a later date.
This post serves as an archive of announcements.
Dates are in the format MM/DD/CCYY or monthname-day-ccyy.
Thanks,
Larry Belmontes
Active Development Workload
- DFSPC (Display Freespace Information) – remove dependency of temporary panel set for mod-2 displays
- ISPF 2.2 Tutorial – add tutorial for option 3 (Utilities)
- FINDSRCH (Member Find-Search) – rework add-on request panel (member, DSL), add tutorial
- ISPF 2.2 Tutorial – add tutorial for option 5 (Batch Language processors from ISP5000 add-on)
- CUTIL00, spilt into separate modules for modularization purposes; corrections to REPLACE and ZFILL functions
- Add LINKLIST and APF list (as an option) to DALCDS.
- SHRABIT load ISPF app to quickly load ISPF add-on installation data sets to MVS 3.8J
Announcement Feburary-17-2025 (02/17/25)
After Rob’s recent TK5 Update 4 announcement, I promptly updated my TK5 system while simultaneously experimenting with additional system functionality including the debut of a TK5 Update 4 demo system for public access.
I am pleased to announce the following to the MVS 3.8J community:
- CLGLST (ISPF Log and List) add-on v0r9m03 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product) corrects initialization of ISPF LIST dataset printing counters when an ISPF user accesses the LIST function first-time. This bug was discovered during updating my TK5 system! See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/clglst-in-mvs38j/ - PRTSCR (ISPF PrintScreen-like function) add-on v0r9m01 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product) improves use of return codes to better communicate an exception to user. This bug was discovered during installation on my TK5 system. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/prtscr-in-mvs-3-8j/ - Addendum for installation of CICS programs GUESS01 and GUESS02 depicting corrections to $INST04 JCL. See details at:
https://www.shareabitofit.net/gguess-in-kicks/ - Aid for implementing KICKS v1.5 on TK5 Update 4, See details at:
https://www.shareabitofit.net/kicks-in-tk5/ - Implementing a user-wide access level of PDSs on TK5 Update 4 to facilitate user-wide access, user-software installs (non-TK5 software), and residence persistency after a TK5 distribution update. See details at:
https://www.shareabitofit.net/user-wide-software-in-tk5/ - TK5 Update 4 Demo system, see details at:
https://www.shareabitofit.net/demo-mvs38j-system/
As always, your feedback is welcomed.
Enjoy!!!
Larry Belmontes
Announcement Feburary-01-2025 (02/01/25)
I am pleased to announce the following utility and ISPF (ISPF-like product from Wally Mclaughlin) add-on updates.
In preparation for this release, the use of utility GETDTE was removed from latest versions of DFSPC v1r2m01, DUCBD v1r1m01 and DALCDS v1r2M02 add-on applications (new versions announced on November-24-2024). Originally, GETDTE was used to supply some Z-date values (e.g. ZJ4DATE) that were not supported is ISPF v2.1.
The below updated utilities include new tutorial pages, sample programs and/or interactive testing ISPF panel:
- GETDTE (Get Date-Time-Environment) v1r1m02, modified parameter communication area to support MVS Batch requests via the EXEC PARM= JCL statement. New keywords (ABOUT, SHOW, FILE) added to GETDTE command, ISPF interactive panel, tutorial panels and sample programs calling GETDTE utility. Select macros parameter usage relaxed to support MVS 3.8J and SVS17l assemblers. Consequently, some ISPF add-ons will be impacted if not upgraded to current versions. See post for more details and download link
https://www.shareabitofit.net/getdte-in-mvs38j/ - PUTCARD (write 80-byte records) v0r9m01, changed default record delimiter from a tilde (~) to backslash (\), added two keywords (ABOUT, STAT) to PUTCARD command, added ISPF interactive panel, tutorial panels and sample programs calling PUTCARD utility. See post for more details and download link
https://www.shareabitofit.net/putcard-in-mvs38j/ - CHKDSN (check for DSN) v1r0m02, added keyword (/ABOUT) to CHKDSN command, ISPF interactive panel and tutorial panels. Select macros parameter usage relaxed to support MVS 3.8J and SVS17l assemblers. See post for more details and download link
https://www.shareabitofit.net/chkdsn-in-mvs38j/ - LISTDSJ (LISTDSI-like CP) v2r0m01, underwent minor updates to correct RECFM and DSORG variable values when DSORG is UNDEFINED. Added MYTUTOR command to interactive panel along with new tutorial panels. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/listdsj-for-mvs-3-8j/
The below updated ISPF add-ons are:
- CLGLST (ISPF Log and List) add-on v0r9m02 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product) limits TSO status capture items and replaces CLSTIT print driver from CLIST to a compiled program for faster execution (eliminate CLIST interpretation). Minor correction to line truncation values for ISPF LIST. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/clglst-in-mvs38j/ - LBTUTOR (ISPF TUTOR-like function) add-on v0r9m02 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product) underwent minor updates. Implemented new CANCEL command and three print screen commands (PRINT, PRINTF, PRINTR). New beta CP, LBHELP, attempts to start a tutor session from a currently displayed panel provided a .HELP screen is defined and ZPANELID passed from ISPF to the LBHELP. Updates to affected tutorial and help panels. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/lbtutor-in-mvs38j/ - PRTSCR (ISPF PrintScreen-like function) add-on v0r9m00 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product) is new. PRTSCR is designed to be invoked as a CLIST after an ISPF DISPLAY service gives control to a dialog manager. Screen contents can be captured to a sequential file, ISPF LIST file or online printer via PRINTOFF. This function is not the same as native ISPF PRINT as CPRTSCR is an application outside of ISPF proper given dialog control by ISPF. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/prtscr-in-mvs-3-8j/ - ISPFAUTO (ISPF AUTOEXEC) add-on v0r9m01 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product)
updated installation validation steps and PROCS with display actions for visual logging purposes. This add-on facilitates user AUTOEXEC-like scripts at ISPF user session sign-on. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispfauto-in-mvs38j/ - ISPFPAP (ISPF PreProcess and PostProcess) add-on v0r9m01 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product) updated select PROCS with display actions for visual logging purposes. This add-on uses the ISPF logon procedure to implement a pre-process (via CLIST) before starting ISPF and a post-process (via CLIST) after ISPF termination to facilitate a single declaration point for any task (command) submission. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispfpap-in-mvs38j/
The below are miscellaneous contributions and notes:
- GGUESS (Number Guessing Game) is a free-lance education and learning project that started with an idea from the early 1980’s using a set of CICS programs that randomly set a one-time session number between 0 and 99 and displayed a screen asking end-user for their guess of that number. The CICS programs would continue asking for a number guess until the user guessed correctly or terminated the game! This was the objective of the game software.
This post is an educational and learning experience using a simple number guessing game to functionally execute in different technology platforms from BASIC (back from TRS-80 days) to MVS 3.8J COBOL/CICS (using KICKS v1.5) to TSO CLIST to ISPF v2.2 and finally HTML/JavaScript (using desktop browser). For the most part, presentation of the game remains “somewhat” similar across technology stacks. Enjoy the transitional “technology ride” for a simple game! See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/gguess-in-mvs38j/ - TASKLIST, as ISPF planning application, is from CBT 231 authored by Joe Veilleux. This contribution is merely a transformation of Joe’s TASKLIST to operate under ISPF v2.2 serving as an educational reference. Functionality remains the same per original author publication in or around 1985. An alternate solution applied to compensate for the absence of skeleton processing in ISPF v2.2. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/tasklist-in-mvs38j/ - The ISPF Command table utility (3.9) was released with ISPF v2.1 by Wally Mclaughlin. Although not all command table functionality (in reference to current versions of ISPF) is supported in ISPF v2.1, this post outlines my personal experiences including limitations for awareness purposes to the community. Hope to see some updates from Wally!!! See post for more details.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispf-command-table-in-mvs-3-8j/ - The TK4- demo system is up-to-date with all add-on software components. By the end of next week, I hope to have an additional demo system up and running TK5! Stay tuned and see post for more details.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/demo-mvs38j-system/ - A dedicated page exists on my website summarizing all announcements to the MVS 3.8J community including planned projects. This page can be frequently viewed for historical and current activity. See post for more information.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/mvs38j-software-contributions/
The above add-ons include installation JCL requiring adjustments based on your MVS 3.8J system (e.g. TK3, TK4- or TK5). Review associated readme.txt file and satisfy all pre-reqs before attempting to use.
As always, your feedback is welcomed.
Enjoy!!!
Larry Belmontes
Announcement November-24-2024 (11/24/24)
I am pleased to announce the following ISPF (ISPF-like product from Wally Mclaughlin) add-on updates. Below are highlights and links:
- DFSPC (Display Freespace) add-on displays online DASD freespace information using multiple views. This update, DFSPC v1r2m01, includes a new view (screen) showing freespace and device mount status, SYSRES indication, Pagefile indication, and VSAM Catalog Reference. Additionally, new ABOUT command implemented to display software version information along with updated tutorial content. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/dfspc-in-mvs38j/ - DUCBD (Display UCB Information) add-on displays select UCB information for DASD and TAPE devices using two views. This update, DUCBD v1r1m01, introduces two new screens supporting new commands to display devices -UREC (unit-record), DISP (display), COMM (communications), CTCH (channel-to-channel), CHAR (character reader) and ALLU (all UCB devices). Each device type displays select UCB information on one screen. Additionally, status and PF Key line added to screens, new ABOUT command to display software version information along with updated tutorial content. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ducbd-in-mvs38j/ - DALCDS (Display Allocations) add-on displays user TSO allocations. This update, DALCDS v1r2M02, includes additional columns on the detail view – device unit number, EXCP count, and multi-volume indicator. Additionally, new ABOUT command implemented to display software version information along with updated tutorial content. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/dalcds-in-mvs38j/
All of the above functions include revised help screens and ISPF tutorials that can be invoked via command MYTUTOR.
The above add-ons include installation JCL requiring adjustments based on your MVS 3.8J system (e.g. TK3, TK4- or TK5).
For all add-ons, please review the readme.txt file and satisfy all pre-reqs before attempting to use.
As always, your feedback is welcomed.
Enjoy!!!
Larry Belmontes
Announcement January-23-2024 (01/23/24)
I am pleased to announce the following ISPF (ISPF-like product from Wally Mclaughlin) add-on updates. Below are highlights and links:
- VSI (VSAM Information) add-on displays VSAM file information on one screen. VSI is a transformation of VI (CBT File #137) originally authored by Steve Kleeves as a ISPF/REXX solution by ‘scraping’ a LISTCAT report. VSI is rewritten using CLIST and ISPF services from ISPF 2.2 (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product). This function will be used as a selection code from the DVTOC VTOC Entries screen. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/vsi-in-mvs38j/ - CPRT36 (Hardcopy Utility) add-on provides a simple and elementary batch (using IEBGENER) or foreground (using PRINTOFF) dataset printing function. It enables the currently inactive option 3.6 on ISPF 2.2. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/cprt36-in-mvs38j/ - DVTOC (Display VTOC Entries) add-on underwent maintenance to ensure all working-storage (GETMAIN storage) was initialized and utilized accordingly per RENT,REUS attributes. Other modifications included capturing all DVTOC requests to ISPF log (via CLOGIT) , content updates to help / tutorials panels and adding two new selection codes to the DVTOC VTOC Entries dataset list (L – listcat and VI – VSAM information). See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/dvtoc-in-mvs38j/ - DALCDS (Display Allocations) add-on underwent a minor modification to correct resetting of DD and DSN counters display on the status line of the results display screen and ensure proper use of working-storage (GETMAIN storage) per RENT,REUS attributes. Help and tutorial content was updated accordingly. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/dalcds-in-mvs38j/ - The ISPF 2.2 primary menu has an inactive option T (Tutorial) – Display Information about ISPF. To fill this gap, using the ISPF 2.2 primary option menu as a tutorial guide, I created a ISPF Tutorial set assembled from ISPF 2.2 content (provided in Wally’s ISPF distribution) along with REVIEW content (from Greg Price’s Z/OS panels) resulting in a foundational ISPF tutorial! Some of the options are shell panels. This tutorial is a starting-point and will be incrementally augmented over time. See post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/tutorials-for-ispfv22-mvs38j/
The above add-ons include installation JCL requiring adjustments based on your MVS 3.8J system (e.g. TK3, TK4- or TK5).
For all add-ons, please review the readme.txt file and satisfy all pre-reqs before attempting to use.
While corresponding recently with Rob Prins, some of the above add-ons will be included in the upcoming release update of TK5.
As always, your feedback is welcomed.
Enjoy!!!
Larry Belmontes
Announcement October-25-2023 (10/25/23)
I am pleased to announce the below updates to several ISPF (using ISPF 2.2 from Wally Mclaughlin) add-on applications. Below are some highlights with post links for additional details:
- CATMGT (Catalog Management) add-on allows for defining / deleting aliases and listing catalog entries via IDCAMS real-time with results being displayed in a browse session. Optionally, catalog entries can be printed to hardcopy via PRINTOFF. This option was 3.4 in early versions of ISPF! This add-on is integrated into the DVTOC menu along with other DASD type functions. See the CATMGT post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
Note: A tutorial is available by using MYTUTOR as the CATMGT command if LBTUTOR is installed. - RECVXMIT (RECV370 and XMIT370 using ISPF panels) add-on underwent a minor incident correction, relocated userid and panel name on panels, and added a tutorial set of panels. See the RECVXMIT post for more details including download link.
Note: A tutorial is available by using MYTUTOR as the RECV or XMIT option if LBTUTOR is installed. - DVTOC (Display VTOC Datasets) add-on underwent minor incident correction, cosmetic panel changes, and added a tutorial set of panels. See the DVTOC post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
Note: Two tutorials are available by using MYTUTOR from the VTOC Utilities menu or VTOC Entries list as the COMMAND if LBTUTOR is installed. - FYI… DALCDS and DFSPC (current versions) include tutorial panels that can be invoked by using the MYTUTOR keyword in the COMMAND line.
- Access to my MVS 38J TK4- demo system now requires TLS 1.2 encryption. SSL v3 is not longer utilized. See DEMO post for more information.
- Over the past months, I wrote and continue updating a post with my personal development experiences with ISPF v2.2 regarding constraints, limitations and solutions applied to meet a development requirement. This post is updated when new discoveries arise.
- Also, as tutorial content is being assembled for ISPF v2.2, I created a post around this topic from my point of view. Any feedback or suggestions are welcomed.
- LBTUTOR (Tutorial program) is a stand-alone ISPTUTOR-like program that is invoked similar to option T from the ISPF primary main menu. This program is used exclusively by my ISPF add-on application to display associated tutorials. The program, at this time, is rated at alpha-level. It is being hosted on my demo system in attempt to host an ISPF v2.2 online tutorial. If you elect to use this program, please communicate any incidents via my post link. See the LBTUTOR post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
For all add-ons, please review the readme.txt file and satisfy all pre-reqs before attempting to use.
If you elect to install LBTUTOR, the following current version add-ons already have tutorials that can be invoked by using the command, MYTUTOR:
- DVTOC, DALCDS, DFSPC, CATMGT, RECVXMIT
- Other add-ons will be retrofitted over time
This is a major announcement from my point of view. If any installation process or add-on encounters a ‘hic-up’, please communicate directly to myself for immediate resolution.
In addition, your feedback is welcomed.
Any suggestion and/or improvement is a benefit to the community.
Thanks and have fun ‘mainframing’!!!
Larry Belmontes
Announcement September-14-2023 (09/14/23)
I am pleased to announce updates to three ISPF (using ISPF 2.x from Wally Mclaughlin) add-on applications. Below are some highlights with post links for additional details:
- DFSPC (Display Freespace) v1r2m00 was enhanced to show disk volume space usage depicted in a bar-graph (3270 nostalgic style using dashes and arrow!!) and numeric percent using a new panel. Also, the new VOL command is introduced to limit the volumes selected and displayed. The same information from the previous version can be displayed by using the PF10 or PF11 to swap between views. Nice addition. See the DFSPC post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version from your 3270 emulator.
- DALCDS (Display Allocations and Data Sets) v1r2m00 was enhanced to display additional attributes about each allocated dataset using two views (summary DD allocations and detail DD/DSN attributes). The displays can be swapped for viewing using PF10 or PF11. Added new commands to include or exclude DD names, COUNT members of a PDS, and find a MEMBER in a PDS (similar to ISRDDN). See the DALCDS post for more details, download link, and information on accessing a demo version using your 3270 emulator.
- DVTOC (Display VTOC) v1r0m00 introduces two new menu selections. The /C command to declare personal preferences for initial display view including sort order and column). The X command launches a new modified version (for MVS 3.8J / ISPF 2.2) of the Disk Space Info utility (CBT161 ULXL01) written by Bill Godfrey (from 1985). See the DVTOC post for more details, download link and information on accessing a demo version using your 3270 emulator.
This utility from Bill Godfrey fits ‘just right’ with Wally’s ISPF product with a couple of minor mods for MVS 3.8J / ISPF v2.2. It requires downloading CBT161 and applying modifications as detailed here.
After downloading the add-on ZIP archive to your device:
- Unzip the ZIP archive which includes txt, JCL, HET and XMI files
- Review the readme.txt file regarding software pre-requisites and your software distribution load approach (HET using tape, or XMI using RECV370/TSO RECEIVE).
- Follow the readme.txt instructions to load and install the software add-on.
For TK5 users, the above 3 enhanced add-ons are already installed and available from Rob Princ’s website (per his announcement on 9/9/2023).
Enjoy the enhanced add-ons and look forward to your feedback.
Larry Belmontes
Announcement April-17-2023 (04/17/23)
Fellow Members,
I am pleased to contribute the following to the community. Below is a brief summary including URLs:
- ISPF Log and List Add-on v0r9m01 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product)
Minor corrections to FREE delete statements for both LOG and LIST datasets
https://www.shareabitofit.net/clglst-in-mvs38j/ - ISPF AUTOEXEC v0r9m00 Add-on for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product)
Add support for user AUTOEXEC-like script to trigger at ISPF user session sign-on
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispfauto-in-mvs38j/ - ISPF Calendar View Add-on v0r9m00 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product)
Add a calendar view to a panel to display the current calendar month.
This add-on is not as ‘powerful’ as the real calendar view under a current
version of ISPF, but provides a handy calendar in a dynamic area on a panel
for quick reference.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/calispf-in-mvs38j/ - ISPF Personal Dataset Manager Add-on v0r9m00 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product)
This add-on is from CBT File#47 from Jim Lane retrofitted to MVS 3.8J / TSO / ISPF v2.x.
Nice add-on for maintaining a list of frequently used DSNs including actions (e.g. edit, browse)
on that list!
https://www.shareabitofit.net/cpdm-in-mvs38j/ - ISPF RECVXMIT Add-on v0r9m01 for ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product)
Added support for mixed-case filenames. This was actually pointed out to me last year
a Linux user. Great suggestion!
Also, the PUTCARD utility was rewritten to support mixed-case and must be installed for this version.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/recvxmit-in-mvs38j/ - PUTCARD 80-byte record writer to sequential dataset
PUTCARD is used by some of my add-ons. This version is a rewritten to provide addition
flexibility in passing data to the utility and setting a DD name.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/putcard-in-mvs38j/
A quick shout-out to Wally Mclaughlin for his ISPF-like tool and Rob Prins for ‘wrapping’ a more complete current set of tools into a TK4- DASD rollup pack for the community.
Some of my add-ons are included in Rob Prins TK4 DASD rollup package for TK4-.
Enjoy and look forward to your feedback.
Thanks,
Larry Belmontes
Announcement October-13-2022 (10/13/22)
I am contributing several projects to the MVS 3.8J community using ISPF v2.2 (ISPF-like product from Wally Mclaughlin).
1. Perpetual Calendar on ISPF Panel
This application is updated to include the monthly JULIAN date as an aid to quickly determine a calendar date from a julian date.
This was suggested by a member of this community. Great suggestion!
Please refer my updated page for more details at: https://www.shareabitofit.net/rcqcal-in-mvs38j/
2. LOG and LIST add-on for ISPF 2.2
This project has been an ongoing item since my intro to Wally’s ISPF product which uses CLISTs. I finally completed a post and
download file. As mentioned, this is an add-on!
You can read more at: https://www.shareabitofit.net/clglst-in-mvs38j/
3. VTOC Search
This is another project that has been a long-running task for me! It is a hybrid-like ISPF aid between VTOC (3.6) and VTOC search.
I like it because in provides a ‘windows file explorer’ type search given a partial or portion of a DSN looking across all online DASD.
You can read more at: https://www.shareabitofit.net/dvtoc-in-mvs38j/
4. Upgrades to 3 other ISPF utilities that integrate into #3 above and makes use of logging activity to LOG data set.
More information at the below links…
– DASD Freespace https://www.shareabitofit.net/dfspc-in-mvs38j/
– DASD UCB Info https://www.shareabitofit.net/ducbd-in-mvs38j/
– TSO Allocations https://www.shareabitofit.net/dalcds-in-mvs38j/
The above items allows me to better ‘peak’ into my DSNs on my system including integrating (enabling) logging
into other functions on my ISPF system.
Take a look… Let me know if you encounter any issues with downloads and/or installation.
This is a larger distribution than my prior contributions and more ‘eyes’ on these functions
may discover issues I did not!
Thanks and enjoy!
Larry Belmontes
Announcement September-21-2022 (09/21/22)
I am contributing several simple projects to the MVS 3.8J community using ISPF v2.2 (ISPF-like product from Wally Mclaughlin).
- Perpetual Calendar on ISPF Panel
This application is retrofitted to run under MVS 3.8J TSO and ISPF v2.2. Original application is from CBT file#182. The application is nifty in the sense that it displays the current month in a calendar view including the previous month the next two months on one panel!!.
You can read more at: https://www.shareabitofit.net/rcqcal-in-mvs38j/
- Print Data Set (option 3.6)
This application is a replacement for the null 3.6 option in ISPF v2.2. For the most part, it attempts to ‘mirror’ the ISPF 3.6 function. It will print a sequential data set, member of a PDS data set, or index of a PDS data set using BATCH JCL or PRINTOFF for foreground printing (similar to DSPRINT).
You can read more at: https://www.shareabitofit.net/cprt36-in-mvs38j/
- PRINTOFF ISPF Add-on
This application is an add-on for ISPF to display a panel with PRINTOFF options and print a data set in the foreground.
You can read more at: https://www.shareabitofit.net/cprtoff-in-mvs38j/
Please provide any feedback via my website especially if you encounter installation and/or functional issues.
Enjoy!
Larry Belmontes
Announcement May-25-2022 (05/26/22)
Hello!
This announcement is for a DSCOPY and ISPOPT5 add-on functions using ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product).
The functions are not the real-iron stuff, but it certainly provides a convenient online tool set to perform two important functions via ISPF.
One other item related to educational learning using legacy compilers and ISPF for dialogue development. This link describes using FORTRAN, PL/1 F and GCC to display a simple Calendar on a ISPF panel.
CALNDR2
https://www.shareabitofit.net/calndr2-in-mvs-3-8j/
Please take a look and let me know your feedback.
Enjoy!
Larry Belmontes
DSCOPY (copy a PO/PS data set in one-step!)
https://www.shareabitofit.net/dscopy-in-mvs38j/
ISPOPT5 (Batch Compiles)
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispopt5-in-mvs38j/
Announcement February-09-2022 (02/09/22)
Hello!
This announcement is for a COMPARE and FIND-SRCH functions using ISPF 2.x (Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF-like product).
The functions are not the real-iron stuff, but it certainly provides a convenient online tool to perform two important function via ISPF.
Please take a look and let me know your feedback.
Enjoy
Larry Belmontes
Compare
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ccompr-in-mvs38j/
Find-Srch
https://www.shareabitofit.net/findsrch-in-mvs38j/
Announcement January-27-2022 (01/27/22)
Hello!
Happy Belated New Year!
I have posted some articles and add-ons for ISPF 2.x for the MVS 3.8J community.
Take a look… Let me know your feedback.
Enjoy
Larry Belmontes
Receive and Transmit (RECVXMIT) panels to load and create XMIT files using RECV70/XMIT370.
https://www.shareabitofit.net/recvxmit-in-mvs38j/
Post on using TBDISPL with ISPF 2.x
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispf-tbdispl-updates-in-mvs-3-8j/
CLIST utility to list allocated datasets, uses LISTDSJ!
https://www.shareabitofit.net/cfldsi-in-mvs38j/
Post on personal task for planning my ISPF installation
https://www.shareabitofit.net/planning-for-ispf-in-mvs38j/
Display Calendar on ISPF Panel using CLIST, Assembler and COBOL to exploit different languages using Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF 2.x product
https://www.shareabitofit.net/calndrs-in-mvs38j/
Post on detecting PARM TYPES (length,date vs. length,offset,buffer) in COBOL! A thought provoking article….
https://www.shareabitofit.net/parms-in-mvs38j/
Post on high-level description on Wally’s ISPF 2.x product…
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispf-in-mvs38j/
Conversion of CBT 366 World Clock program under MVS 3.8J and ISPF 2.x
https://www.shareabitofit.net/wrldwtch-in-mvs38j/
Credit has been given to original authors.
Announcement July-01-2021 (07/01/21)
Fellow Members,
Just a quick note on some new software contributions to the MVS 3.8J community.
I had a small drafting and publishing marathon over the past week that includes hobbyist work I’ve had on the my queue for a while for this community…
- Using ISPF Table Services in MVS 3.8J
- https://www.shareabitofit.net/using-ispf-table-services-in-mvs-3-8j/
- This post is a educational and learning read on using ISPF 2.1 table services (ISPF is Wally Mclaughlin’s product). You can download a set of CLISTs and panels to demonstrate each ISPF table service under ISPF 2.1.
- Additionally, you can try this series of table services CLISTs via my TK4- system available to the public. Learn to access this system by reading the post. If you like, you can download and install in your MVS 3.8J Hercules system with ISPF 2.1
- ISPF TBDISPL Updates in MVS 3.8J
- https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispf-tbdispl-updates-in-mvs-3-8j/
- This post describes logic used by two CLISTs to perform updates on a factious employee ISPF table using ISPF 2.1. Again, an educational and learning read.
- DYNBLOAD in MVS38J
- https://www.shareabitofit.net/dynbload-in-mvs38j/
- This post is an update to a dynamic call routine (DYNALOAD) for MVT COBOL written by Ed Liss. My modification is to capture the return code from the called program and return to the caller in the communications area.
More links to increase your interest and curiosity!!!
Three functions integrated into ISPF to display-
- DFSPC in MVS38J, display online dasd free space using ISPF TBDISPL
https://www.shareabitofit.net/dfspc-in-mvs38j/ - DALCDS in MVS38J, display tso allocations using ISPF TBDISPL
https://www.shareabitofit.net/dalcds-in-mvs38j/ - DUCBD in MVS38J, display DASD and TAPE select UCB information using ISPF TBDISPL
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ducbd-in-mvs38j/
Take a look at other posts on my site.
Enjoy and look forward to your feedback.
Thanks,
Larry Belmontes
Announcement March-13-2021 (03/13/21)
All,
This is a brief announcement to notify the community of my updated MVS38J LISTDSJ utility that runs under TSO that fetches data set attributes for a given dataset name and stores that information into clist variables similar to LISTDSI in current systems.
Also, I have put up a limited capacity demo system accessible via the internet to allow a ‘test drive’ experience of LISTDSJ under MVS38J before downloading and installing onto your own system.
For more information on LISTDSJ and accessing the demo system, see this link https://www.shareabitofit.net/listdsj-for-mvs-3-8j/
The demo system is the public domain MVS38J TK4- version 8 access via TN3270 SSL.
Over the next two weeks, I plan to expand public access for my other community software contributions to facilitate ‘test-drive’ experiences via my demo system.
Thanks,
Larry Belmontes
Announcement July-28-2020 (07/28/20)
For those MVS38J users that installed Wally Mclaughlin’s ISPF 2.1 product, I enhanced (customized) the TSO Command Processor panel (option 6) by adding a command save area similar to that of TSO/E ISPF. The ‘plumbing’ is all contained within the panel logic and appears to ‘play’ well within ISPF 2.1. The command save area content is saved to the PROFILE to safe-keep between TSO sessions.
The enhancement uses all ISPF 2.1 supported panel functions (VPUT, VGET) to provide this new feature.
If you would like to download and install, take a look at my post at:
https://www.shareabitofit.net/ispf-option-6-in-mvs38j/
This is a community contribution. Please communicate any comments or issues directly to me via my site.
Thanks,
Larry Belmontes
Announcement July-28-2020 (07/28/20)
Early this year, I developed the same sort solution across four languages (JCL, COBOL, PLI and Assembler) for coding comparison purposes. Additionally, sort exits are exploited as part of the programming language.
My experiences are documented on my web site.
Take a look at this community contribution.
Thanks,
Larry Belmontes
Announcement July-28-2020 (07/28/20)
I’ve documented my experience generating a simple one-level break hypothetical inventory report using RPG and COBOL Report Writer on MVS38J. The post and download samples are on my web site.
Check it out and let me know your thoughts of this community contribution.
Thanks,
Larry Belmontes
Announcement April-12-2020 (04/12/20)
Hello!
As my contribution to the MVS 3.8J hobbyist community, I developed a TSO CLIST utility that attempts to fill some functionality gaps available in more current MVS OS’s for CLIST development.
In brief, the CUTIL00 (CLIST Utility 00) is passed a function code and one or two variable names for processing as a CLIST command line.
Below is the current function list:
LTRIM - Remove leading spaces
RTRIM - Remove trailing spaces
TRIM - Remove leading and trailing spaces
TRIM$ - Remove leading, trailing, and duplicate spaces
INDEX - Search forward for 1-byte delimiter
INDEXB - Search backward for 1-byte delimiter
ISNUM - Test for all numeric (0-9)
ISALPHA - Test for all alphabetic (A-Z,a-z)
ISLOWER - Test for all alphabetic Lower (a-z)
ISUPPER - Test for all alphabetic Upper (A-Z)
ISBLANK - Test for all blank (whitespace)
ISDSN - Test for valid MVS Dataset Name
ECHO - Display string value
ECHOQ - Display string value surrounded by single quotes
REVRS - Translate to reverse A-Z to Z-A, 0-9 to 9-0
UPPERC - Translate to uppercase
LOWERC - Translate to lowercase
COUNT - Count occurrences of a search string
FINDF - Find starting position of FIRST search string
FINDL - Find starting position of LAST search string
CENTER - Center content
LJUST - Left justify content
RJUST - Right justify content
ZFILL - Zero fill after content is right justified
WORDS - Number of words (contiguous non-blank groups)
GEN# - Generate a 3 digit number (000-999)
DD2DSN - Dataset name associated with DD name
JOBINFO - Job Information
DAYSMM - Number of days in MM
DAYSYY - Number of days in CCYY (365 or 366)
ISLEAP - Test CCYY for leap year
CYJ-D8 - Date Conversion CCYYJJJ to monthname DD, CCYY
CYJ-DAY - Date Conversion CCYYJJJ to day name
CYJ-DOW - Date Conversion CCYYJJJ to day of week number
CYJ-mdcy - Date Conversion CCYYJJJ to MMDDCCYY
-mdcy can be in any order
JCY-D8 - Date Conversion JJJCCYY to monthname DD, CCYY
JCY-DAY - Date Conversion JJJCCYY to day name
JCY-DOW - Date Conversion JJJCCYY to day of week number
JCY-mdcy - Date Conversion JJJCCYY to MMDDCCYY
-mdcy can be in any order
MDCY-D8 - Date Conversion MMDDCCYY to monthname DD, CCYY
MDCY-DAY - Date Conversion MMDDCCYY to day name
MDCY-DOW - Date Conversion MMDDCCYY to day of week number
MDCY-cyj - Date Conversion MMDDCCYY to CCYYJJJ
-cyj can be in any order
DMCY-D8 - Date Conversion DDMMCCYY to monthname DD, CCYY
DMCY-DAY - Date Conversion DDMMCCYY to day name
DMCY-DOW - Date Conversion DDMMCCYY to day of week number
DMCY-cyj - Date Conversion DDMMCCYY to CCYYJJJ
-cyj can be in any order
CYMD-D8 - Date Conversion CCYYMMDD to monthname DD, CCYY
CYMD-DAY - Date Conversion CCYYMMDD to day name
CYMD-DOW - Date Conversion CCYYMMDD to day of week number
CYMD-cyj - Date Conversion CCYYMMDD to CCYYJJJ
-cyj can be in any order
CYDM-D8 - Date Conversion CCYYDDMM to monthname DD, CCYY
CYDM-DAY - Date Conversion CCYYDDMM to day name
CYDM-DOW - Date Conversion CCYYDDMM to day of week number
CYDM-cyj - Date Conversion CCYYDDMM to CCYYJJJ
-cyj can be in any order
FILL - Fill VAR1 nnn times with delimiter
LSTRIP - Remove leading delimiter
RSTRIP - Remove trailing delimiter
STRIP - Remove leading and trailing delimiter
STRIP$ - Remove all delimiter
CONCAT - Concatenate two strings
UNSTR - Unstring into separate variables
REPLACE - Replace substring in string
VEXIST - Test if CLIST Variable exists
TDSN - Generate temporary DSN nodes
NOW - Current system date and time
PAD - PAD string with delimiter to given length
This is the first version of CUTIL00 and I plan to add additional functionality over time. Please feel free to download, install and utilize in your CLIST development endeavors. Let me know your feedback and/or suggestions for new functions.
Please take a look at the details at my site: https://www.ShareABitofIT.net/cutil00-for-mvs-3-8j/
Download of install zip file is available at the above site.
Thanks,
Larry Belmontes
Typo – Correction needed in the 2/1/2025 announcement section:
Displayed text (correct): https://www.shareabitofit.net/gguess-in-mvs38j/
Actual, invalid clickable link: https://www.shareabitofit.net/ggues-in-mvs38j/
Thank you for all your contributions!
Scott,
Thanks for the heads up! It is now correct.
LarryB