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…
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…
Tutorials for ISPF v2.2 / MVS 3.8J
Overview Tutorials for ISPF v2.2 / MVS 3.8J using LBTUTOR(current version 0.9.01 2023-11-15) Based on various ISPF manuals, while using ISPF, the HELP function is triggered by PF1/PF13 (default PF keys) to display additional information about a displayed message or transition into a tutorial mode displaying a help (tutorial) panel and/or a series of help panels. The term help and…
LBTUTOR Non-Select Tutorial
This post describes how LBTUTOR processes a non-select (no menu) tutorial under ISPF v2.2 (ISPF-like product from Wally Mclaughlin) with the LBTUTOR add-on. Sample Tutorial without Selection Topics A simple form of a tutorial can be comprised of a single panel or a series of panels displayed in sequence to convey online information to the end user. For example, the…
Using ISPF v2.2 with MVS 3.8J
Overview The current ISPF-like product from Wally Mclaughlin enhances the MVS 3.8J / TSO landscape on your personal mainframe! Like with any other hobbyist / enthusiasts designing, developing, testing and distributing developer tools / utilities, one must finalize on what features and/or functions to offer end users for a particular release. The focus may center on previously used tools behavior…
LBTUTOR in MVS38J
Overview LBTUTOR– ISPFv2.2 Tutorial Utility for MVS38J / Hercules(current version 0.9.02 2024-07-01) ISPF 2.2 from Wally Mclaughlin is a great addition to MVS 3.8J TSO providing an ISPF-like environment on you personal mainframe. ISPTUTOR allows help panels to provide help tutorials for ISPF applications when defined and arranged in a special manner. Under the real-ISPF, the HELP function integrates with…