Attaching ISPF Tools

The "Execute ISPF Command" tool lets you execute a procedure, for example a REXX procedure, a CLIST or a program, on a remote z/OS system in an ISPF environment.

In this case, a client application communicates with a remote user session running in an ISPF environment. For this tool interface to be used correctly, the TSO/ISPF environment must be correctly configured. See z/Server Installation Guide: Setting up the JCL for a User Server for more information.

The product is delivered with several REXX procedures that are only to be used in the context of attaching ISPF tools. After successful installation of the REXX procedures and configuration of the TSO/ISPF environment, the defined ISPF tools can be used.

Calling an ISPF tool can be modeled in these ways:
  • REXX (Call …)
  • CMD (Select CMD(…)
  • PGM (Select PGM(…) PARM(…))

Regardless of the call-up type, you can configure whether a tool should be executed in the ISPF online or in batch.

In this context, online means that the client carries out the tool execution synchronously.

Batch means the asynchronous execution of an ISPF tool through submitting a batch job. Exits must be adapted for batch support. See ISPF exits for more information.

To integrate an existing ISPF function into the Eclipse client, it is usually necessary to develop a tool adapter that regulates the required parameter input/output and file transfers. This tool adapter is entered as a program or procedure name in the modeled application. The following topics describe how a tool adapter of this kind is developed.