Overview PRTSCR – ISPFv2.2 Print Screen Utility(current version 0.9.00 2024-10-11) ISPF v2.2 (ISPF-like product from Wally Mclaughlin) does not include a print screen function (i.e. PRINT, PRINT-HI) as provided by the IBM ISPF product. ISPF maintains several system Z-variables for developer use. Some Z-type variables for screen information include ZSCREENW (screen width, e.g. 80), ZSCREEND (screen depth, e.g. 24) and…
Author: Larry
GGUESS in MVS38J
GGUESS – Number Guessing Game across technology stacks from PC BASIC to MVS 3.8J TSO / ISPF / KICKS /Hercules to HTML JavaScript(current version 0.9.00 2024-05-01) One of my first programs to write (during the late 1970’s) was a number guessing game using interactive BASIC interpreters on the Altair 8800 and TRS-80 Model I microcomputers (Intel 8080 CPU). The program…
Spool+1 in MVS38J
Preface JES2 (Job Entry System 2) is the spooling package distributed with MVS 3.8J to queue manage (schedule) job in-take, route and/or hold printer and punch output. JES2 is a principal component of MVS. The following manuals, at minimum, should be referenced whether following up on MVS / JES2 functionality, modifying JES2 or Hercules configuration: As a software developer or…
Files(n) in MVS38J
Preface Using the Hercules hardware emulator to run MVS 3.8J declares various files on your PC OS (e.g. Windows, Linux) file system such as MVS DASD devices, communication devices, MVS printer output, MVS logs, and punched output. A Hercules configuration file may contain the following unit-record devices as depicted in the below sample snippet: . . # Card Readers 000C…
BrowserLog in MVS38J
Preface Using the Hercules emulator to host MVS 3.8J requires real-time interaction with each system including host OS (i.e. Windows, Linux, etc.). A typical interactive setup may include: This post is a short communication for awareness purposes which outlines an alternative console log using a web browser immediately available via Hercules in tk4- and tk5 base distributions. Hercules Console Per…
TASKLIST in MVS38J
Preview Using a daily planning application under ISPF to conveniently manage and maintain a to-do calendar list was a brilliant idea, especially in the 1980’s, before the availability of personal digital assistants (e.g. PalmPilot or Newton MessagePad)! On CBTTAPE.ORG, CBT231 contains such an application named TASKLIST written by Joe Veilleux from APC contributed circa 1985. Download CBT231 for reference and…
MVS38J Software Contributions
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…
Stubborn JES2 in MVS38J
My Experience… Over the years of using the public domain version of MVS 3.8J (e.g. tk3 or tk4-8), I encountered a halt state during the overall MVS shutdown process. The purpose of this post is to share my resolutions when JES2 encounters a ‘holding’ state when attempting to normally terminate (bring down) MVS 3.8J. Before continuing, it is suggested obtaining…
VSI in MVS38J
Overview VSI – VSAM Information ISPF add-on for MVS38J / Hercules(current version 0.9.00 2023-11-15) VSI provides a function to display VSAM file information on one screen as an ISPF add-on. The single display screen offers a HELP screen, but has no other processing options. This original tool (VI) has been rewritten as a TSO CLIST for MVS 3.8J and ISPF…
CATMGT in MVS38J
Overview CATMGT – Catalog Management ISPF Add-on for MVS 3.8J TSO / ISPF / Hercules(current version 0.9.01 2023-11-15) While searching for miscellaneous MVS information, I stumbled across an article from the early 1980s that described the CATLOG Management function as a TSO/ISPF option. Although limited in the use of IDCAMS commands utilized by the option, I decided to embark on…