REXX

SESSION 1

Introduction to REXX REXX basics REXX Instructions REXX Built-in Functions REXX External functions REXX TSO/E External commands

SESSION 2

Executing REXX in BATCH mode Introduction to REXX Edit macros Examples on REXX Edit macros File Tailoring ISPF Tables REXX Quiz

What is REXX after all ?

Restructured EXtended eXecutor

language Programming Language Free format language Issues commands to different Host environments Has extensive mathematical capabilities Suitable for beginners as well computer professionals

USAGE of REXX
Automating repetitive tasks - Increases productivity - Ex : Allocation of datasets for a release - Ex : Deleting 7th char in all records of a file Interacting with TSO/ISPF dialog manager - to create and display custom-made panels - can store and retrieve variables Creating new commands - Like TIME command, DATE can be created For personal programming tasks - to send a mesg to other MVS users everytime you logon

Writing a simple REXX exec

An exec is nothing but a group of REXX statements in a sequential dataset or a PDS member
The first statement of an exec should be /* REXX */ ,but not in all cases A simple exec (In a PDS member,MYFIRST) /*REXX*/

SAY This is first REXX exec

EXIT REXX is case insensitive

Executing a REXX exec

Explicit execution from tso ready prompt
READY EXEC TATA.REXX.EXEC(MYFIRST) EXEC READY

Implicit execution requires the PDS library to be concatenated to either SYSEXEC or the SYSPROC system DDNAMEs.
READY ALLOC DD(SYSEXEC) DSN(TATA.REXX.EXEC) SHR REUSE

READY
%MYFIRST From ISPF,one can execute it by issuing the following command at command prompt

TSO MYFIRST

Executing a REXX exec

A sequential dataset needs no allocation

It can only be executed using the explicit method or the long form
From READY prompt, READY EXEC TATA.SEQ.EXEC EXEC READY CTP LOGON ALLOCATION In CTP main panel, Select 0 --> CTP parms

REXX - Arithmetic operators

+
*

Add
Subtract Multiply

/
% // **

Divide
Divide and return a whole number without a remainder Divide and return the remainder only Raise a number to a whole number power

-number Negate the number

+number Add the number to 0

REXX - Logical operators

& AND (4 > 2) & (a = a) /* true, so result is 1 */ (2 > 4) & (a = a) /* false, so result is 0 */ | Inclusive OR (4 > 2) | (5 = 3) /* at least one is true, so result is 1 * (2 > 4) | (5 = 3) /* neither one is true, so result is 0 */ && Exclusive OR (4 > 2) && (5 = 3) /* only one is true, so result is 1 */ (4 > 2) && (5 = 5) /* both are true, so result is 0 */ Prefix \ \0 \ (4 > 2) Logical NOT /* opposite of 0, so result is 1 */ /* opposite of true, so result is 0 */

REXX - comparison operators

== = \ == \= > < >< >= \< <= \> Strictly Equal Equal Not strictly equal Not equal Greater than Less than Greater than or less than (same as not equal) Greater than or equal to Not less than Less than or equal to Not greater than

Note: The not character, "", is synonymous with the backslash ("\").

REXX Symbols
A REXX symbol can consist of
A...Z a...z 0...9 @#$?!._ uppercase alphabetic lowercase alphabetic numbers special characters

Rules for valid REXX symbols are :

The first character cannot be 0 through 9 or a period (.) The variable name cannot exceed 250 bytes The variable name should not be RC, SIGL, or RESULT, which are REXX special variables

REXX Special Variables

RC: RC stands for return code and is set every time a command is issued.When a command ends without error, RC is usually set to 0. When a command ends in error, RC is set to whatever return code is assigned to that error.

SIGL: The SIGL special variable is used in connection with a transfer of control within an exec because of a function, or a SIGNAL or CALL instruction. When the language processor transfers control to another routine or another part of the exec, it sets the SIGL special variable to the line number from which the transfer occurred.
RESULT : When an exec calls a subroutine ,the calling exec receives the value returned by the subroutine in the REXX special variable RESULT

REXX Instructions

REXX Instructions
A line contains usually one instruction

Comma(,) is the continuation character

Semi-colon(;) is the instruction delimiter Example :

say The quick fox jumps over,

the lazy brown dog; say over Output :

The quick fox jumps over the lazy brown dog

over Note that the comma operator adds a space

REXX Instructions - SAY

To write a line of output to the TSO terminal Syntax SAY {expression} Expression can be of any size and REXX will split it up according to line-width of the terminal Expression can contain variables, literals and functions Example
/*REXX*/ name=Roosevelt say Welcome to TSO name exit

Output Welcome to TSO Roosevelt

REXX instruction - PULL

to read the input from the TSO terminal(When REXX data stack is empty) Syntax : PULL var1 var2 var3 Example :
/*REXX*/ say Enter your name : pull name say Good morning name exit

The output will be

Enter your name : Lincoln Good morning LINCOLN

Note that PULL automatically converts input into uppercase

REXX Instruction - UPPER

to translate the contents of a single or several variables to uppercase Syntax : UPPER var1 var2 var3 Example :
/*REXX*/

name=Kennedy
say Name is name upper name say Now name is name

exit

Output
Name is Kennedy Now name is KENNEDY

REXX Instruction - EXIT

Used to unconditionally leave a program

Can optionally pass back a string to the caller

Syntax : EXIT {expression} Example named PROG2 /*REXX*/ a=10 exit a*10 /* passes back string 100 to the caller */ When prog2 is called in an exec as x=prog2(),then x will have the value 100

REXX Instruction - IF
Used to conditionally execute a single REXX stmt or a group of REXX statements Syntax : If expression then stmt; else stmt;

If expression is evaluated TRUE(1) then the THEN part is performed and if FALSE(0) then the ELSE part is performed.
A group of REXX statements can be grouped together by using DOEND Nested IFs are allowed in REXX.

REXX Instructions - NOP

NOP stands for No-operation

Causes REXX to create No-operation condition Only useful as a target of THEN or ELSE clause

Syntax : NOP;

REXX Instructions - IF Example

/*REXX*/ say Enter AM/PM :' pull ampm if ampm = 'AM' then say 'Good morning!!!' else if ampm = 'PM' then say 'Good evening!!!' else NOP; EXIT Output : Enter AM/PM : AM Good morning!!!

When the input is blank or other than AM/PM , the instruction that gets executed is NOP Also note that the ELSE clause is not mandatory When the ELSE clause is removed ,the functionality of the program will still be the same

REXX Instructions - DO
Used to execute a group of REXX statements under the control of an expression Has several formats The repetitive DO construct
DO 5
say hi there!!! END

/* DO X=5 is the same */

The rexx statements within DO..END will be executed five times

Contd...

REXX Instructions - DO
Do with loop counter
/*REXX*/
Do I = 1 to 7 by 2 say I End I /* optional to specify the variable */ /* 2 is the step value */

The output will be

1 3 5 7 Contd...

REXX Instructions - DO
Do..While construct
/*REXX*/
I=1 Do while I < 3 say I I=I+1 End

The output
1 2 Contd...

REXX Instructions - DO
Do..Until construct
/*REXX*/
I=1 Do until I > 3 say I I= I+ 1 End

The output will be

1 2 3

Contd...

REXX Instructions - DO
The Do..Forever special construct

/*REXX*/
Do forever say infinite loop end The above exec results into an infinite loop

Enough care should be taken to check the exit criteria of the loop, before executing the exec
The LEAVE instruction can be used to exit from the loop

REXX Instructions - LEAVE

Causes REXX to stop executing the current DO-END loop and Syntax : LEAVE {name} Example
/*REXX*/ Do forever Say Enter the code : Pull code If code = BYE then Leave; end Exit The above exec will prompt the user for a code until the user enters the code BYE. The name will be used to exit from a particular loop in case of several nested do loops

control passes to the next statement after the END of the DO-END pair

REXX Instructions - ITERATE

Used to restart execution in a DO loop Syntax : ITERATE {name} If name is not specified ,ITERATE will step the innermost active loop If name is specified,that particular loop is stepped

Example
/*REXX*/ Do I = 1 to 3 by 1 If I = 2 then iterate I; say I = I /* name is not required */

end Output
I=1 I=3

REXX Instructions - SELECT

Causes REXX to execute one of several different instructions Most used when one of the several paths must be followed Example :
/*REXX*/ Say Enter 1 for salad,2 for pizza : pull choice select when choice = 1 then say Here is the salad when choice = 2 then say Here is the pizza otherwise say You have opted nothing End

When the input is anything other than 1 or 2 then the control is transferred to OTHERWISE clause.

REXX Instructions - INTERPRET

Used to execute instructions that are built dynamically Allows to build the REXX statements in an exec Syntax : INTERPRET expression Example :
/*REXX*/

out='say hi there!!!' Interpret out stmts='do 3; say 'loop'; end' Interpret stmts exit
Output will be HI THERE!!! LOOP LOOP LOOP

REXX Instructions - NUMERIC

Sets controlling limits that govern how REXX evaluates and reports the results of arithmetic operations Syntax : NUMERIC DIGITS {expression} This tells REXX how many significant digits to use when calculating and printing results Syntax : NUMERIC FORM { SCIENTIFIC | ENGINEERING }
This tells REXX how arithmetic values that must be

expressed in exponential notation will be presented

NUMERIC FUZZ {expression} This determines how much two numbers can be different from each other and still be considered equal by REXX

REXX Instructions - NUMERIC

Example
/*REXX*/ numeric digits 4 numeric fuzz 1 a=1000 b=1004 if a = b then say equal else say unequal exit

Output
EQUAL Since the FUZZ value is 1,the rightmost is not considered

in the comparison. In the same example ,note that when B takes value 1005 and numeric digit is 5 ,the output is UNEQUAL ,as REXX rounds off the value of B to 101,while eliminating its rightmost digit

REXX Instructions - NUMERIC

Numeric form scientific causes REXX to always place one non-zero digit to the left of the decimal point Numeric form engineering makes REXX use powers of ten in exponential notation that are always a multiple of three Example
/*REXX*/ numeric digits 5 numeric form scientific a=123.45 * 1e11 say a form() numeric form engineering a=123.45 * 1e11 say a form() exit

/* 1.2345E+13 SCIENTIFIC */

/* 12.345E+12 ENGINEERING */

REXX Instructions - PARSE

Tells REXX how to assign data to one or more variables

PARSE NUMERIC name returns the current settings of numeric options DIGITS,FUZZ and FORM
PARSE PULL makes REXX get the string from the REXX data stack.If the stack is empty,REXX will get the string from the terminal PARSE VALUE parses a string under the control of the template PARSE VALUE expression WITH template PARSE VAR indicates that the string to be parsed is not a literal but a variable PARSE VERSION returns REXX interpreter level and the date released

REXX Instructions - PARSE Ex.

parse value Napolean the great with w1 w2 w3

w1 = Napolean w2 = the w3 = great

parse value Napolean the great with w1 9 w2 w1 = Napolean w2 = the great

parse value 'salt+water=brine' with w1 '+' w2 '=' w3

w1 = salt w2 = water w3 = brine parse version vervar say vervar
REXX370 3.48 01 May 1992

REXX Instructions - DROP

Used to return one or more REXX variables to their initial or uninitialised state Syntax : DROP name1 name2 name3.; Same variable can be dropped more than once

Examples
drop a drop z.5 drop d. /* Unassigns the variable a*/ /* Unassigns the stem variable z.5 */ /* Unassigns all the vars starting with d. */

REXX Instructions - ADDRESS

To indicate the destination of non-rexx commands Syntax ADDRESS destination The destination could be any one of these TSO - Routes commands to TSO ISPEXEC - Routes commands to ISPF/PDF ISREDIT - Routes commands to the ISPF Edit macro processor Note : Other destinations exist,but beyond the scope of this training Example : Address tso lista st /* the destination is set */ listds(tcs.rexx.exec) members /* to TSO */ Address ispexec /* Dest. Changed and set */

REXX Instructions - Procedure

used to protect the variables in existence when the function or subroutine is called
When a RETURN instruction is executed by the called function or subroutine ,all variables saved by the PROCEDURE instruction are restored to the state they were in when saved Syntax : PROCEDURE { EXPOSE name1 {name2}}

name1, name2 are not protected from the subroutine.That is they are exposed to the subroutine

REXX Instructions - Procedure

Example /*REXX */ lines=2 pages=3 call showlyns say 'The line count is' lines ',the page count is' pages /* 'say' above displays 10 for lines and 3 for pages */ exit showlyns: procedure expose lines lines=10;pages=1 /* sets caller's 'lines' variable */ /* but a local 'pages' variable */ return

REXX Instructions - ARG

To parse out the arguments passed to a program or internal subroutine and store the arguments in variables Ex : /*REXX*/ arg a,b c = a+ b say The sum is c exit When invoked as TSO SUM 4 5,the output will be The sum is 9 REXX does not prompt for any missing arguments ARG converts the parameters passed to uppercase

REXX Instructions - RETURN

used to pass control back to the caller of a subroutine or function.An optional value can also be passed Syntax : RETURN {expression } If invoked as a function ,the value in the return instruction is substituted for the function call If invoked as a subroutine , the value in the RETURN instruction is stored in the REXX special variable RESULT

If the RETURN instruction doesnt have any expression , then a null string is passed to the caller

REXX Instructions - CALL

used to invoke an internal or external subroutine and builtin-functions The called routine usually uses the ARG function to extract the parameters passed by the call Example arg x call factorial x say x'! =' result exit factorial: procedure arg n if n=0 then return 1 call factorial n-1 return result * n /* parse 'x' */ /* go get factorial of 'x' */ /* write result out */ /* factorial subroutine */ /* parse 'x' */ /* quit when done */ /* call myself with x minus 1 */ /* build up answer in 'result' */

REXX Instructions - SIGNAL

It is an equivalent command for the infamous GOTO command in other languages Syntax : SIGNAL label Example
/*REXX*/ say Before signal signal bye say After signal exit bye: say In signal exit
/* displayed */ /* never gets executed */ /* displayed */

Note that the say instruction after signal will never get executed

REXX Instruction - PUSH

used to place a new element on a REXX data stack Syntax : PUSH {expression} Places the element on the top of the REXX data stack The length of an element can be up to 16,777,215 A null string of length zero is stacked if the expression is omitted stacks strings LIFO sequence

REXX Instruction - QUEUE

used to place a new element on the bottom of a REXX data stack Syntax : QUEUE { expression } stacks strings in FIFO sequence a null length string is stacked if expression is omitted

The PULL instruction is used extract an element from the top of the REXX data stack

REXX Functions

REXX Functions
A function is a sequence of instructions that can receive data, process that data, and return a value. In REXX, there are several kinds of functions: Built-in functions -- These functions are built into the language processor. More about built-in functions appears later in this topic. User-written functions -- These functions are written by an individual user or supplied by an installation and can be internal or external.An internal function is part of the current exec that starts at a label. An external function is a selfcontained program or exec outside of the calling exec

REXX Functions - ABS

Returns the absolute value of a number The absolute value of a number is the value of the number without the sign being considered

The number of digits returned is governed by current NUMERIC DIGITS setting

Examples:
ABS(56.7') returns the number 56.7 numeric digits 2 ABS(' -0.125') returns the number 0.13

REXX Functions - ADDRESS

returns the current setting of the destination to which the non-REXX commands in an REXX exec is addressed to Note the the default destination is TSO Example
/*REXX*/
say address() address ispexec say address() address isredit say address() exit /* returns ISPEXEC */ /* returns ISREDIT */ /* returns TSO */

REXX Functions - CENTER

used to center one string within a certain length area and pad on the left and right of the centered string with an optional padding character
Syntax : CENTER(string, length{,pad}) The default padding character is spaces Examples :

say center(uswest,10,*)
returns **USWEST**

 used to compare two strings and return a zero if the strings are the same ,or a non-zero number if they are not

REXX Functions - COMPARE

non-zero number is the position of the first mismatching character found

Syntax : COMPARE(string1,string2{,pad})

If the optional padding character is specified,then the shorter string is padded and compared
Examples :
COMPARE('123','123') COMPARE('FO?? ','FO','?') COMPARE('abc','ak') COMPARE('ZZ ','ZZ','x') COMPARE('MA ','MA') COMPARE('xy ','xy',' ') returns a 0 (exact match) returns a 5 (1st mismatch after padding) returns a 2 (first mismatching char) returns a 3 (1st mismatch found 3 chars in) returns a 0 (exact match with padding) returns a 0 (exact match with padding)

REXX Functions - COPIES

used to concatenate or append a string to itself a certain
number of times Syntax : COPIES(string,n) Examples
COPIES('Hello',4) returns 'HelloHelloHelloHello'

COPIES('Say what?',0) returns '' (null string)

REXX Functions - DATATYPE

used to determine the data type of the string passed Syntax : DATATYPE(string{,type}) If type is omitted,NUM is returned if the string is a valid number and CHAR is returned in all other cases If type is specified,either TRUE(1) or FALSE(0) is returned The valid types are as follows
A - Alphanumeric N - Numeric W - Whole number L - Lowercase U - Uppercase M - Mixed case

Examples
DATATYPE(' 44 ') returns NUM (numeric) DATATYPE('*1**') returns CHAR (caharcter string) DATATYPE('Wally','M') returns a 1 (mixed case) DATATYPE('75.54','W') returns a 0 (not a whole number)

REXX Functions - DATE

returns the current date

An optional character can be passed to obtain date in specific formats

Syntax : DATE({option}) Some of the chars that can be passed are
U returns date in USA format, 'mm/dd/yy J returns a Julian date in the form 'yyddd W returns the day of the week (e.g. 'Tuesday', 'Sunday', etc.)

Examples
say date() say date('U') say date('J') say date('W') /* returns 17 Dec 1999 */ /* returns 12/17/99 */ /* returns 99351 */ /* returns Friday */

REXX Functions - DELSTR

used to delete or remove one string from within another string Syntax : DELSTR(string,n{,length}) 'string' is the string from which a portion is to be deleted starting with character number 'n', where 'n' is a positive integer The length of the portion to be deleted is given by the optional length parameter When n is greater than the length of the string no action is performed Examples
DELSTR('abcde',3,2) deletes 'cd', leaving 'abe' DELSTR('zyxw',3) leaves 'zy', deleting 'xw' DELSTR('12345',6) no change, since 6 is greater than string length

REXX Functions - DIGITS

returns the current setting of the NUMERIC DIGITS option Takes no parameters

Example
DIGITS() /* returns a 9 if REXX default hasn't been changed */

REXX Functions - FORM

used to extract the current setting of the NUMERIC FORM option returns SCIENTIFIC or ENGINEERING

Example
say from() numeric form engineering say form() /* returns engineering */ /* returns default scientific */

REXX Functions - FORMAT

used to round off and format a number using REXX rules
optional values can be passed which decides the number of digits before and after the decimal point

Syntax : FORMAT(number{,{before}}{,{after}})
If before and after are not specified ,the number of digits that are needed to present the rounded number are used

Examples
FORMAT('78',3) returns rounded number ' 78' FORMAT(' - 8.7',,2) returns rounded number '-8.70' FORMAT('5.46',3,0) returns rounded number ' 5'

REXX Functions - FUZZ

used to extract the current setting of the NUMERIC FUZZ option The value of FUZZ cannot be greater than the DIGITS setting Example /*REXX*/

say fuzz()
numeric fuzz 2 say fuzz()

/* returns the default zero */

/* returns 2 */

REXX Functions - INDEX

used to find the position of one character string within another character string Syntax : INDEX(string,substring{,start})

'start' is an optional starting character position for the search within string
Examples
INDEX('hello','ll') INDEX('say what','w ') INDEX('zyxwvu','vu',6) INDEX('zyxwvu','vu',2) returns a 3 returns a 0 returns a 0 returns a 5

REXX Functions - LEFT

used to extract the leftmost characters of the string Syntax : LENGTH(string,length{,pad}) If string is shorter than length,the string returned is padded with pad char in the function call if available or with the default pad character blank. Examples :
LEFT('Wallawalla',4) returns 'Wall' LEFT('Republicans',20,'-') returns 'Republicans---------' LEFT('Motley Crue ',8) returns 'Motley C'

REXX Functions - LENGTH

used to return the length of the string passed to the function

Syntax : LENGTH(string)
Examples :

LENGTH('LIFO') returns 4 LENGTH('Rubber baby buggy bumpers') returns 25 LENGTH('') returns 0 (null string)

REXX Functions - MAX

returns the maximum numeric value from a list of numeric values Syntax : MAX(number{,number}...) The size of the numeric value returned is limited to the current setting of NUMERIC DIGITS. Up to 20 numbers may be specified as arguments to MAX. Calls to MAX can be nested if more are needed Examples :
MAX(21,22,81,67) returns 81 MAX(27.32,0.45,102.3) returns 102.3 The MIN function is similar to MAX except that it returns the minimum value

REXX Functions - POS

returns the position, relative to 1, of one string within another. Syntax : POS(substring,string{,startloc}) A zero is returned if substring is not found within string Examples
POS('M','ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ') returns 13 POS('Smith','Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Smith') returns 37 POS('hart','MVS is breaking my heart...',4) returns 0 (not found)

REXX Functions - QUEUED

returns the no of elements that remain on the REXX data stack No arguments If queued() returns zero,that indicates the REXX data stack is empty and the next PULL instruction will obtain input from the TSO terminal Example
/*REXX*/ newstack push a queue b say queued() delstack exit

/* returns 2 */

REXX Functions - RANDOM

generates a "pseudo-random" number that will lie somewhere between a supplied (or defaulted) upper and lower bound."pseudo-random" means that the number is not truly random, but it behaves as if it was. Syntax : RANDOM({min}{,{max}{,seed}}) Difference between min & max <= 100000 the default value for min is 0 and max is 999 If only one number is supplied,then a number will be generated in the range of zero to that number seed is an optional whole number and when specified gives repeatable results each time the exec is invoked Examples :
RANDOM() returns a random number 'n', in range 0 =< n =< 999

RANDOM(32,35) returns a random number 'n', in range 32 =< n =< 35

RANDOM(,,251) returns a random number 'n', in range 0 =< n =< 999, and returns the same one every time called this way

REXX Functions - REVERSE

This function reverses the order of all characters in a string Syntax : REVERSE( string) Example say reverse(TCSUSWEST)

returns TSEWSUSCT

REXX Functions - SIGN

used to determine the sign of a number Syntax : SIGN(number) returns -1 if the number is negative returns 0, if the nuber is zero returns +1,if the number is positive the number is rounded to meet the current setting for NUMERIC DIGITS before the test. Examples :
SIGN('-22.811') returns -1 SIGN(0.0) returns 0

REXX Functions - STRIP

used to remove the leading and/or trailing characters from a character string Syntax : STRIP(string{,{option}{,char}}) The default char for char is blank

The option can take either L or T or B and the default option is B

Examples :
STRIP(' February 11, 1989 ') returns 'February 11, 1989' STRIP('7642.7600',T,0) returns '7642.76' STRIP('$$$$52.4',Leading,$) returns '52.4'

REXX Function - SUBSTR

used to extract a portion of a string

Syntax : SUBSTR(string,n{,{length}{,pad}})
length is the length of extracted substring if length is omitted,the remainder of the string from char number n is extracted The extract string is padded on the right with pad char, if there are not enough characters in the extracted substring to reach length Examples :
SUBSTR('Hi there',4) returns 'there' SUBSTR('MVS',1,5) returns 'MVS ' SUBSTR('December 7, 1941',6,15,'-') + 'ber 7, 1941----'

REXX Function - SYMBOL

used to determine whether a symbol is valid REXX symbol

Syntax : SYMBOL(name)
Returns BAD if the name is not a valid REXX symbol If name is name of the variable with a value assigned to it,VAR is returned In other cases, LIT is returned Examples :
j='TSO/E Version 2.1' Symbol('J') Drop j Symbol('J') Symbol('.variable') /* assign value to variable J */ /* returns VAR since assigned */ /* returns LIT after Drop */ /* returns BAD since 1st character is a '.' */

REXX Function - TIME

returns the current time of day in a variety of different formats and can also be used to perform elapsed time calculations Syntax : TIME({option})
R - elapsed time clock to be set to zero E - return elapsed time since previous TIME(R) H - No. of hours since midnight L - hh:mm:ss:uuuuuu S - No. of seconds since midnight

Examples :
TIME() returns 09:18:04 TIME('L') returns 11:00:32.672567 TIME('M') returns 840 /* at 2 in the afternoon */ TIME('H') returns 12 /* at noon */ TIME('R') returns 0 /* The first call */ TIME('E') returns 18.278190 /* about 18 seconds later */

REXX Function - TRUNC

used to truncate a number to an integer portion and a decimal fraction portion Syntax : TRUNC(number{,n})

'n' is the number of decimal places to retain to the right of the decimal point.If n is omitted,no decimal places are returned
Examples:
TRUNC(4096.6904) /* returns 4096, dropping decimal fraction */ TRUNC(0.3,3) /* returns 0.300 */

REXX Function - USERID

returns the current TSO user id Format : USERID() Example say userid() /* returns the current user id */

REXX Function - WORD

used to extract a specific word from within a string of words Syntax : WORD(string,n) The words in the string must be separated by blanks

n indicates that the nth word in the string is to be extracted

Examples :
WORD(Arise Awake and Stop not',4) /* returns Stop' */ test = '1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9' WORD(test,1) /* returns '1' */ WORD('Carolina moon, what are you doing over Gismo Beach?',10) /* returns null string */

REXX Function - WORDS

used to determine the number of words contained within a string of words Syntax : WORDS(string) Examples :
WORDS(Arise, Awake and Stop not till the goal is reached) /* returns 10 */ WORDS('1234567890abcdefghikjlmnopqrstuvwxyz $@#!') /* returns 2 */

REXX TSO/E External Functions

REXX TSO/E external functions

In addition to the built-in functions,TSO/E provides external functions that you can use to do some specific tasks.

Functions we will be discussing and frequently used are :

LISTDSI OUTTRAP SYSDSN SYSVAR

LISTDSI - External Function

Returns in variables the dataset attributes of a specified dataset The function call is replaced by a function code that indicates whether or not the call was successful.A non-zero code indicates that the call was not successful Example
/*REXX*/ X=LISTDSI(TCS.PDS.COBOL) /* x = function code */ IF X=0 THEN DO SAY SYSDSORG SYSDSORG SAY SYSLRECL SYSLRECL END ELSE SAY CALL UNSUCCESSFUL EXIT

LISTDSI - External function

The following points are note-worthy Note two sets of quotes in the call to LISTDSI - to indicate the parm is literal to REXX - to indicate the dsname is fully qualified The function code should always be checked after the call The output of the above REXX could be
SYSDSORG PO
SYSLRECL 80

- PO- Partitioned Dataset

- Record length

Totally there are 33 variables that are set as a result of the

call to LISTDSI external function

OUTTRAP - External Function

Traps TSO/E command output into a stem variable The function call returns the name of the variable specified Trapping is capturing the lines of data which otherwise would have been displayed at the terminal Example /*REXX*/ x=outtrap("a.") /* turns trap on. x=a. */ "listds 'rhkrish.rexx.exec' members" x=outtrap("off") /* turns trap off. x=off */ say 'No of lines trapped ' a.0 EXIT

OUTTRAP - External function

Contd.. The output of the exec could be this No of lines trapped 57 Note that the no of lines trapped is stored in A.0 All the trapped lines from A.1 to A.n can be used The outtrap function can be used to trap only a certain no of lines. OUTTRAP(A.,10) Only 10 lines trapped.

SYSDSN - External Function

Returns OK if the specified dataset exists; Otherwise returns appropriate error messages Example call
available = SYSDSN(tcs.rexx.exec) /* available could be set to "OK" */

The other possible error messages are as follows

MEMBER SPECIFIED, BUT DATASET IS NOT PARTITIONED MEMBER NOT FOUND DATASET NOT FOUND ERROR PROCESSING REQUESTED DATASET PROTECTED DATASET VOLUME NOT ON SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE DATASET INVALID DATASET NAME, data-set-name MISSING DATASET NAME

SYSVAR - External Function

Uses specific argument values to return information about the user ,terminal ,language ,system ,exec and console session Example

say sysvar(sysuid)
displays the user id. The arguments corresponding to user information are SYSPREF - Prefix as defined in user profile SYSPROC - Logon procedure of current session SYSUID - User id of current session

SYSVAR - External Function

Terminal information

SYSLTERM - No of lines available on screen

SYSWTERM - Width of screen Exec information SYSENV - Whether exec is running in fore or background SYSISPF - whether ISPF is active or not System information SYSRACF - Whether RACF is available SYSNODE - Network node name SYSTSOE - Level to TSO/E installed Note : Only some of the variables are covered

REXX TSO/E Commands

REXX TSO/E Commands

Commands provided with the TSO/E implementation of the language. These commands do REXX-related tasks in an exec, such as: - Control I/O processing of information to and from data sets(EXECIO) - Perform data stack services (MAKEBUF, DROPBUF, QBUF, QELEM,NEWSTACK, DELSTACK, QSTACK) - Change characteristics that control the execution of an exec - Check for the existence of a host command environment (SUBCOM).

REXX Command - NEWSTACK

used to create a new data stack in the REXX environment When this command is executed, the current data stack is saved and a new stack is created and made the current stack When the stack is empty,the subsequent pull instruction obtains input from the TSO terminal When the stack has data elements,the pull instruction gets the input from the top of the stack

Example
"NEWSTACK" Push tcs Push uswest pull data say from the stack data pull data say from the stack data pull data "DELSTACK" /* creates new stack */ /* puts tcs in top of stack */ /* puts uswest over tcs */ /* pulls data from the top of stack */ /* displays uswest */ /* pulls data from top of stack */ /* displays tcs */ /* obtains input from tso terminal */ /* delete stack */

REXX Command - DELSTACK

used to delete the data stack that was created last in the REXX environment When this command is executed the most recently created stack is deleted and all elements on it are purged If there is any previous data stack,that is made available

Example :
NEWSTACK push a queue b NEWSTACK push c say queued() DELSTACK say queued() DELSTACK /* new stack is created */ /* a is stored on top */ /* b is stored at the bottom */ /* new stack is created */ /* c is stored on top */ /* displays 1 */ /* deletes the current stack */ /* displays 2 */ /* deletes the stack */

REXX Command - MAKEBUF

used to add a buffer to the data stack in REXX environment

returns the relative number of the buffer on the stack in the special variable RC
Its a temporary extension to the data stack and used when need arises to pass some of the elements to a subroutine Example :
NEWSTACK Push elem1 "MAKEBUF" saverc = RC Push elem1 Push saverc Call subrtn1 "DROPBUF" /* creates new stack */ /* add an element */ /* add a buffer to stack */ /* save number of buffer */ /* add contents of variable elem1 to data stack */ /* pass buffer number too */ /* call subroutine to handle elements */ /* delete buffer,but not stack before makebuf */

REXX Command - DROPBUF

used to delete data stack buffer from the data stack in the REXX environment Syntax : DROPBUF {n} 'n' is optional and is the number of the data stack buffer that you wish to remove. That data stack buffer and all those higher on the stack are removed from the stack when DROPBUF is executed If n is omitted ,the recently created buffer is dropped Example :
DROPBUF /* deletes the recently created buffer */ DROPBUF 0 /* deletes buffer and all elements of stack */

REXX Command - QBUF

used to determine the number of data stack buffers that have been explicitly created by the MAKEBUF REXX command number of buffers will be returned through special variable RC If no buffers have been created via makebuf , a 0(zero) is returned is RC Example :
"MAKEBUF" "MAKEBUF" "DROPBUF" "MAKEBUF" "QBUF" /* creates buffer 1 */ /* creates buffer 2 */ /* deletes buffer 2 */ /* creates buffer 2 again */ /* returns a 2 */

REXX Command - QELEM

The QELEM REXX command is used to determine the number of data stack elements that are contained in the buffer that was most recently created by the MAKEBUF REXX command If no buffers have been created via makebuf , a 0 is returned in RC Example :
"MAKEBUF" /* creates a buffer */ Push TCS Push TATA Push CONSULTANCY Push SERVICES "QELEM" /* returns a 4 in RC */ "DROPBUF" /* deletes buffer and elements in it */ "QELEM" /* returns a 0 in RC */

REXX Command - QSTACK

used to determine the total number of data stacks currently is existence The no of data stacks includes the original REXX data stack, as well as those created via the NEWSTACK command If no additional stacks have been created via NEWSTACK , a 1 is returned is RC Example
"QSTACK" "NEWSTACK" "NEWSTACK" "QSTACK" /* returns a 1 in RC */ /* creates a new data stack*/ /* creates another new data stack*/ /* returns a 3 in RC */

REXX Command - EXECIO

used to perform read and write operations against a sequential dataset or a pds member The data is either read from the data set and placed on the data stack or into a list of variables, or written from the data stack or a list of variables into the data set Syntax for read operations :
EXECIO {lines *} DISKR ddname {linenum} { ( {{FINIS}} { STEM var {FINIS} } {)} }

Syntax for write operations :

EXECIO {lines *} DISKW ddname { ( {STEM var} {FINIS} {)} }

REXX Command - EXECIO

Example /* read all lines in data set and display them */
Address TSO /* pass unknowns to TSO */ Parse Arg dsn /* get data set name */ "ALLOC DD(TEMP) DA("dsn") SHR" /* allocate file */ end_of_data = 0 /* negate end of file */ Do While end_of_data = 0 'EXECIO 1 DISKR TEMP ( FINIS' /* read a record onto stack */ If RC = 2 then end_of_data = 1 Else Nop /* set end-of-file? */ Pull line /* get line off stack */ Say line /* display line */ End Note : This example uses the original REXX data stack.

REXX Command - EXECIO

/* Example 2 - copy a file into another */ Address TSO "ALLOC F(IN) DA('SYS1.PROCBLIB(ASMHCL)') SHR" "ALLOC F(OUT) DA(TATA001.DELETE.ME) SHR" 'EXECIO * DISKR IN (STEM DATA. FINIS' /* copy file into stem*/ Queue /* add null line to stack */ 'EXECIO * DISKW OUT (STEM DATA. FINIS' /* copy using stem*/ "FREE F(IN,OUT)" SAY No of lines in input : data.0 EXIT Note : This example uses stem variable data to read the contents of input file.The Number of lines read will be stored in data.0.

Executing REXX in Batch

Executing REXX in batch

Need arises when the REXX exec takes longer time to complete the execution.So time-consuming and low priority execs can be run in background
Main advantage - Batch mode does not interfere with persons use of the terminal Only those execs which do not require any sort of terminal interaction can be run in batch mode.

A JCL as shown in the next slide can be used to invoke a REXX exec.

Executing REXX in Batch - JCL

//TSOBATCH EXEC PGM=IKJEFT01,DYNAMBR=30,REGION=4096K //SYSEXEC DD DSN=TCS.REXX.EXEC,DISP=SHR //SYSTSPRT DD SYSOUT=A //SYSTSIN % SETUP /* // DD *

The following points are to be noted : IKJEFT01 - TSO command processor program

SYSEXEC - System DD card to which REXX libraries are concatenated

SYSTSPRT - Destination of the REXX output,as well the TSO command processor

Contd..

Executing REXX in Batch - JCL

Contd..

SYSTSIN - Instream card wherein TSO commands or invocation of REXX execs can be issued
The dataset TCS.REXX.EXEC is a PDS and has a member of the name SETUP. The Instream data can be used to invoke an REXX exec either implicitly or explicitly as indicated below
%SETUP >>>> Implicit EXEC TCS.REXX.EXEC(SETUP) EXEC >>>> Explicit

Any parameters to the exec can be passed as below %SETUP parm1 parm2

REXX Exec - Example

After the execution of the exec,If there are any elements in the REXX data stack,those elements will be treated as TSO commands and will get executed Example - To purge a user Id
/*REXX*/ arg uname queue c u =uname queue end OPER exit

Invoke the above exec as ===> TSO CUSER TATA001 A similar exec can be written to display all the users

REXX EDIT MACRO

Edit Macros - Introduction

Primary commands that users write.An example is the oftused CUT R or the PASTE K command Using Edit macros save time and keystrokes - Deleting all the lines with first character as *

Edit macro is a series of edit commands placed in a dataset or a member of partitioned dataset
- To find lines with char a in Col. 31 and char b in Col. 35

Used to perform often-repeated tasks

- Block commenting lines in a COBOL program To run an Edit macro,Type its name and any operands on the command line and press enter

Edit Macros - Basics

Assignment statement

Consists of two parts ,values and key-phrases,which are separated by an equal sign
Value segment is the data in the macro and key-phrase segment represents the data in the editor

Can be used to pass data from the edit macro to the editor or to transfer data from the editor to the edit macro
Data is always transferred from the right hand side of the equal sign in an assignment statement to the left hand side

Example : ISREDIT (data) = LINE .ZCSR

The data in the current line is stored in the variable data.so the value segment is data,key-phrase segment is LINE and hence the transfer of data is from the editor to the edit macro.

EDIT Macros - Parameters

Parameters can be passed to the EDIT macro using the statement ISREDIT MACRO(parm)
Suppose the macro name copymem and If it is invoked as Command ====> COPYMEM MYFIRST then MYFIRST is assigned to the variable parm. More than one variable can be passed

If there are more variable names than parameters, the unused variables are set to nulls.
The macro statement should be the first executable statement in a macro

EDIT Macros - Labels

A Label is an alphabetic string character used to name lines

A label must begin with a period (.) and be followed by no more than 8 alphabetic characters, the first of which cannot be Z. No special characters or numeric characters are allowed.
The editor-assigned labels are: .ZCSR The data line on which the cursor is currently positioned .ZFIRST The first data line Can be abbreviated .ZF .ZLAST The last data line. Can be abbreviated .ZL .ZFRANGE The first line in a range specified by you. .ZLRANGE The last line in a range specified by you.

EDIT Macro - Assignment stmts.

MEMBER Retrieves the name of the library member being edited If a sequential dataset is being edited ,the variable is set to blanks ISREDIT (memname) = MEMBER DATASET Used to get the current dataset name ISREDIT (dsnname) = DATASET

LOCATE
Used to position the cursor in a particular line using label or the line number ISREDIT LOCATE .ZCSR

EDIT MACRO - Ex : Showonly

/*REXX*/ "ISREDIT MACRO (STRING)" /* STRING IS THE PARAMETER */ "ISREDIT X ALL" "ISREDIT F ALL " STRING /* EXCLUDE ALL LINES */ /* FIND ONLY PARM PASSED */

EXIT

This macro is very simple one and uses EXCLUDE and

FIND macro commands It displays only the lines with the string passed to the macro

EDIT Macro - Assignment stmts.

CURSOR

used to position the cursor in a particular row and column

ISREDIT (row,col) = CURSOR ISREDIT CURSOR = (row,col)

LABEL
sets or retrieves the values for the label on the specified line and places the values in variables ISREDIT (var1) = LABEL .ZCSR ISREDIT LABEL .ZCSR = (.here) LINENUM retrieves the current relative line number of a specified label ISREDIT (lnum) = LINENUM .ZL

EDIT Macro - Assignment stmts.

LINE

Sets or retrieves the data from the data line specified by the line pointer ISREDIT (lndata) = LINE .ZCSR ISREDIT LINE .ZCSR = (datavar) LINE_AFTER Adds a line after a specified line in the current dataset
ISREDIT LINE_AFTER lptr = <DATALINE> data <INFOLINE> <MSGLINE > <NOTELINE> ISREDIT LINE_AFTER .ZCSR = DATALINE (datavar)

LINE_BEFORE Similar to the LINE_AFTER stmt except that it adds a line before the specified the line

EDIT Macro - Assignment stmts.

RANGE_CMD Identifies the name of a line command entered from the keyboard ISREDIT (varname) = RANGE_CMD NUMBER Sets number mode, which controls the numbering of lines in the current data. ISREDIT NUMBER ON STD COBOL ISREDIT NUMBER ON STD DISPLAY

EDIT Macro - Ex : VSAVE

/*REXX*/ /* This macro is used to save a member of a PDS when in view mode */ 'isredit macro' /* No arguments */ address isredit /* Changing the host environment */ "(mem) = MEMBER" /* storing member name in mem */ "(dsn) = DATASET" /* storing dsname is dsn */ If mem = '' then do /* if mem is spaces,its PS */ say 'designed for PDS member' exit /* exit from program */ end "isredit save" /* trying to save the source */ if rc = 0 then do /* Not in view mode */ say 'Not in view mode.use SAVE' exit /* Exit from the program */ end Contd.

EDIT Macro - Ex : VSAVE

"isredit repl .zf .zl " mem /* Issuing replace command */ if rc = 0 then /* check for success */ say 'member saved.Exit from view mode' else say 'member not saved.Return code ' RC exit

The macro can be used to save a member of a PDS,when it is opened in view mode. It checks whether the dataset being edited is a PDS It also checks whether the EDIT is in VIEW mode by trying to save the dataset After these checks,the REPL command is issued. Note : CREATE command can be used to create a new member with the same data

EDIT Macro Command

PROCESS allows the macro to control when line commands or data changes typed at the keyboard are processed ISREDIT PROCESS <DEST> <RANGE cmd1 <cmd2>> DEST specifies that the macro can capture an A or B line command .The .ZDEST label is set to the line preceding the insertion point.If A or B is not not entered ZDEST is set to last line RANGE specified the line commands cmd1 and cmd2 which the user can enter The .ZFRANGE label is set to the first line identified by the line command that you have entered, and .ZLRANGE is set to the last line.

EDIT Macro - Ex : COMMENT

/*REXX*/ /*used to comment eztrieve source code in edit/view mode */ address isredit /* Changes environment */ 'MACRO NOPROCESS' /* all line cmds -process later */ 'PROCESS RANGE N' /* process line cmd N now */ if rc = 0 then do /* error if no ln cmd N entered */ say 'enter the n line command' exit end '(lcmd) = RANGE_CMD' /* stores the lncmd entered */ '(first) = LINENUM .zfrange' /* stores the first range of N */ '(last) = LINENUM .zlrange' /* stores the last range of N */ if first = last then do /* adds note to mark begin& end */ temp = '*** comment changes ends ***' 'LINE_AFTER 'last' = NOTELINE (temp)' temp = '*** comment changes begins ***' 'LINE_BEFORE 'first' = NOTELINE (temp)' end

EDIT Macro - Ex : COMMENT

Do I = first to last 'SHIFT ) ' I 'LINE I' = LINE + *' End Exit /* first range to last range */ /* shifts chrs to right 2 cols */ /* overlays first char with '*' */

the line command N must be entered prior to invoking the macro Line command - N , NN-NN , Nn Note the use of NOTELINE SHIFT command shifts chars to right To remove the comments,use the built-in (( left shift line command

EDIT Macros - Ex : CPBK

/*REXX*/ /* used to zoom a copybook in a cobol program */ /* TEST COPY USWNOTE1. */ ADDRESS ISREDIT 'MACRO' '(lnum) = LINENUM' .ZCSR '(lndata) = LINE' lnum lndata = strip(lndata) dspos = pos('COPY',lndata) if dspos = 0 then SIGNAL error_msg lastpos = pos('.',substr(lndata,dspos+5)) member = substr(lndata,dspos+5,lastpos-1) member = strip(member) dsname = 'app1.common.prod.copylib('||member||')' address ispexec "browse dataset('"dsname"')" ; exit

EDIT Macros - Ex : CPBK

error_msg: say 'Place the cursor over the COPY verb' exit

used to browse a copybook mentioned in a COPY verb of a COBOL program Note the use of SIGNAL instruction The macro command can be typed at the command prompt and cursor can be moved to the COPY verb This macro can also be assigned to a function key using KEYS command and may be invoked by pressing the particular key when the cursor is over the COPY verb

FILE TAILORING

FT - Skeletons
Skeletons are members of a PDS that have variables and fixed text.They may be part of a JCL.(Ex JOB stmt) The skeleton files can contain variable-length records, with a maximum record length of 255. Skeletons can be included in a dataset to build a complete JCL during the run time Skeleton libraries are to be allocated to the application library ddname ISPSLIB The allocation should be done before invoking ISPF Allocation can be done temporarily using ISPF service LIBDEF
LIBDEF ISPSLIB DATASET ID(TATA.PDS.SKELS)

File Tailoring - FTOPEN

Allows skeleton files to be accessed from the skeleton library specified by ddname ISPSLIB Output from the file tailoring process will be placed in a temporary file.The name of the temporary file will be stored in the profile variable ZTEMPF

If the output is to be saved in a PS or PDS , the particular library has to allocated to the ddname ISPFILE
Call invocation format ISPEXEC FTOPEN [TEMP] TEMP specifies whether the output is to be placed in temporary file or not If TEMP is not specified,then the ddname ISPFILE should

File Tailoring - FTINCL

Specifies the skeleton that is to be used to produce the file tailoring output
Command invocation format ISPEXEC FTINCL skel-name [NOFT] NOFT specifies that no file tailoring is to be performed on the skeleton.So the entire skeleton will be copied to the output file exactly as is with no variable substitution or interpretation of control records NOFT can be used when there are no variables in the skeleton to be included

File Tailoring - FTCLOSE

used to terminate the file tailoring process and to indicate the final disposition of file tailoring output Command invocation format
ISPEXEC FTCLOSE [NAME(member-name)] [LIBRARY(library)] [NOREPL]

NOREPL specifies that FTCLOSE is not to overlay an existing member in the output library NAME specifies the name of the member in the output library that is to contain the file tailoring output LIBRARY specifies the name of a DD statement or lib-type on the LIBDEF service request that defines the output library in which the member-name exists. If specified, a generic (non-ISPF) DD name must be used. If this parameter is omitted, the default is ISPFILE.

File Tailoring - Example

Assume skeleton library as TATA.UTIL.SKELS Skeleton member JOBSTMT
//&JOBNAME JOB (BILL01E0),TATA',NOTIFY=&&SYSUID, // MSGCLASS=T,MSGLEVEL=(1,1) Skeleton member SYNCSORT //STEP01 EXEC PGM=SYNCSORT,REGION=400K //SORTIN DD DISP=SHR,DSN=&OLDSRC //SORTOUT DD DISP=SHR,DSN=&NEWSRC //SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=* //SYSIN DD * SORT FIELDS=(1,10,CH,A) /*

These are the two skeletons we will be using in the REXX exec to build the sort jcl

File Tailoring - Example

/*REXX*/ "ispexec libdef ispslib dataset id(tata.util.skels')" say 'enter the jobname :' pull jobname say 'enter old source dsn :' pull oldsrc say 'enter new source dsn :' pull newsrc "ispexec ftopen temp" "ispexec ftincl jobstmt " "ispexec ftincl syncsort " "ispexec ftclose " "ispexec vget (ztempf)" "ispexec edit dataset('"ztempf"')" exit

File Tailoring - Example

If you respond to the prompts for jobname,old dsname and new dsname with jobsort,tata.old.file and tata.new.file respectively,the tailored output will look like
//JOBSORT JOB (BILL01E0),TATA',NOTIFY=&SYSUID, // MSGCLASS=T,MSGLEVEL=(1,1) //STEP01 EXEC PGM=SYNCSORT,REGION=400K //SORTIN DD DISP=SHR,DSN=TATA.OLD.FILE //SORTOUT DD DISP=SHR,DSN=TATA.NEW.FILE //SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=* //SYSIN DD * SORT FIELDS=(1,10,CH,A) /*

Note that all three variables have been substituted with appropriate values Note the single ampersand in the NOTIFY parameter

ISPF Panels

A Simple panel definition

)ATTR DEFAULT(%+_) % TYPE(TEXT) INTENS(HIGH) + TYPE(TEXT) INTENS(LOW) _ TYPE(INPUT) INTENS(HIGH) CAPS(ON) JUST(LEFT) )BODY + A Sample panel - REXX Training + ------------------------------------+ + %Enter your name please ==>_urname + + + %Name cannot exceed more than 15 chars + + + +Press ENTER to continue,PF3 to exit + + + + )INIT )PROC VER (&URNAME,NB,ALPHAB) )END

REXX Exec - Panel Ex.

/*REXX*/ "ispexec libdef ispplib dataset id('rhkrish.test.panels')" "ispexec display panel(expan)" if RC = 0 then do say 'command cancelled' exit end else say 'Your name is ' urname exit

A simple REXX Exec that displays a panel that prompts for the user name After the panel is submitted, the name entered is displayed After the panel is displayed and inputs are entered,if enter is pressed RC is zero and if PF3 pressed, RC will be 8

REXX - Panel Ex. Output

A Sample panel - REXX Training ------------------------------------Enter your name please ==> abcdefghijklmno Name cannot exceed more than 15 chars Press ENTER to continue,PF3 to exit Advanced panels Point and Shoot Fields Action Bar Choice

ISPF TABLES

ISPF Tables
ISPF tables are analogous to arrays A table can exist with or without a key

An ISPF table is stored in a PDS dataset

Application library - ISPTLIB The table output library must be allocated to a ddname of ISPTABL There are over 20 ISPF services that are relevant to tables

ISPF Tables - TBCREATE

creates a new table in virtual storage and opens it for processing allows specification of the variable names that correspond to columns in the table one or more variables can be defined as keys to a table Command invocation format
ISPEXEC TBCREATE table-name [KEYS(key-name-list)] [NAMES(name-list)] [WRITE|NOWRITE] table-name can be 1 to 8 alphanumeric characters in length

and must begin with an alphabet name-list are the list of variables that forms the columns of the table

ISPF Tables - TBCREATE

WRITE is the default option and indicates that the table is permanent and is to be saved either by TBSAVE or TBCLOSE NOWRITE specifies that the table is for temporary use only and it is to be deleted by either TBEND or TBCLOSE Example
TBCREATE FSTATUS KEYS(FCODE) NAMES(MESSAGE) WRITE

TBCREATE TELBOOK KEYS(TELNO) NAMES(ADR1 ADR2)

TBCREATE ADDRESS NAMES(NAME ADDR1 ADDR2 PIN)

ISPF Tables - TBOPEN

reads a permanent table from the table input file into

virtual storage, and opens it for processing

Command invocation format
ISPEXEC TBOPEN table-name [WRITE|NOWRITE]

Example
ISPEXEC TBOPEN FSTATUS WRITE and

ISPEXEC TBOPEN FSTATUS are the same as WRITE is the default option

ISPF Tables - TBADD

Adds a new row of variables to the table

For tables without keys,the row is added after the current row
For tables with keys ,the table is searched to ensure that the new row has a unique key Command invocation format
ISPEXEC TBADD table-name [SAVE(name-list)] [ORDER]

ORDER ensures no duplicate key condition Example

ISPEXEC TBADD TELBOOK ORDER

ISPF Tables - TBSCAN

Searches a table for a row with values that match an argument list Command invocation format
ISPEXEC TBSCAN table-name [ARGLIST(name-list)]

Example
ISPEXEC TBSCAN FSTATUS ARGLIST(FCODE)

Searches the table FSTATUS using the argument FCODE and fetches the error message associated with it.If the row exists in the table, the error message will be stored in the variable MESSAGE as in the TBCREATE service

ISPF Tables - TBSKIP

Moves the current row pointer of a table forward by +1 All variables in the row,including keys and extension variables ,If any ,are stored into the corresponding variables as defined in the TBCREATE statement Command invocation format
ISPEXEC TBSKIP table-name

TBSKIP has many other parameters which are beyond the scope of this training

ISPF Tables - TBSAVE

writes the specified table from virtual storage to the table output library The table output library must be allocated to the ddname ISPTABL The table must be open in WRITE mode TBSAVE does not delete the virtual storage of the table Command invocation format
ISPEXEC TBSAVE table-name NAME(alt-name)
alt-name - the table will stored in the output library with the alternate name

ISPF Tables - TBEND

deletes the virtual storage copy of the specified table,making it unavailable for further processing

The permanent copy is not changed

Command invocation format
ISPEXEC TBEND table-name

ISPF Tables - TBCLOSE

Terminates processing of a specified table and deletes the virtual storage copy If the table was opened in write mode ,TBCLOSE copies the table from virtual storage to the table output library If the table was opened in NOWRITE mode ,TBCLOSE simply deletes the virtual storage copy Command invocation format
ISPEXEC TBCLOSE table-name Example

ISPEXEC TBCLOSE FSTATUS

ISPF Tables - Example - 1

Creating and storing data in a table /*REXX*/ address ispexec "libdef isptabl dataset id('rhkrish.test.tables')" "tbcreate rexxerr keys(ecode) names(etext) write" do i = 1 to 49 ecode=i etext= errortext(i) "tbadd rexxerr order" end "tbclose rexxerr" exit

ISPF Tables - Example - 2

Searching the table for a particular value

/*REXX*/ address ispexec "libdef isptabl dataset id('rhkrish.test.tables')" "tbopen rexxerr nowrite" say 'enter the error code (1-49) :' pull ecode "tbscan rexxerr arglist(ecode)" if rc = 0 then say 'The error mesg is ' etext else say 'row does not exist' "tbclose rexxerr" say 'Error mesg using function-' errortext(ecode) exit

ISPF Tables - Example 3

Displaying all the rows of a table /*REXX*/ address ispexec "libdef isptabl dataset id('rhkrish.test.tables')" "tbopen rexxerr nowrite" "tbskip rexxerr" if RC = 0 then do say 'tbskip error RC - ' RC exit end say "ECODE ETEXT" do while RC = 0 say ecode etext "tbskip rexxerr" end "tbclose rexxerr" exit

List of References
REXX in the TSO Environment - Gabriel F.Gargiulo

Book manager in MVS

Shelf Name Description TSO_V2R5 ISPF_V42 TSO/E V2R5 Bookshelf ISPF 4.2 for MVS Library

Book Name Book Title

IKJ2C307
ISPEEM01 ISPSRV01

TSO/E V2R5 REXX/MVS User's Guide

Edit and Edit Macros Services Guide