ISPF Editor Quick Reference: Line & Primary Commands

This quick reference provides essential ISPF editor commands at a glance. Use this as a cheat sheet for the most commonly used line commands and primary commands. For detailed explanations and advanced usage, refer to the comprehensive line commands and primary commands tutorials.

Line commands are placed in the line number area (to the left of line numbers) and operate on specific lines. Primary commands are entered on the command line (labeled "Command >>>") and perform file-wide operations. This reference consolidates the most important commands for quick lookup.

Line Commands Quick Reference

Line commands are single or double characters placed in the line number area. They operate on the line where they're placed or on ranges of lines.

Basic Line Operations

Move and Copy Operations

Text Manipulation Line Commands

Navigation Line Commands

Primary Commands Quick Reference

Primary commands are entered on the command line and perform file-wide operations.

File Operations

Search and Replace

Navigation Commands

Editor Configuration

Text Transformation

Function Keys Quick Reference

Function keys provide quick access to common operations:

Common Command Combinations

Common combinations of commands for frequent tasks:

Copying Lines

To copy lines:

• Place C (or CC for multiple) on source lines
• Place A (After) or B (Before) on target line
• Press Enter

Moving Lines

To move lines:

• Place M (or MM for multiple) on source lines
• Place A (After) or B (Before) on target line
• Press Enter

Search and Replace

To replace text:

• Use FIND text first to verify occurrences
• Use CHANGE old new to replace one occurrence
• Use CHANGE old new ALL to replace all occurrences

Quick Navigation

To navigate quickly:

• Type line number on command line to jump to that line
• Use FIND text to locate specific content
• Use TOP or BOTTOM to jump to file boundaries

Command Usage Tips

Tips for using commands effectively:

• Line Commands: Place in line number area (left of line numbers), press Enter to execute
• Primary Commands: Type on command line (labeled "Command >>>"), press Enter to execute
• Multiple Lines: Use repeated letters (DD, CC) or place command on first and last line of range
• Undo: Use RESET to undo all changes, or CANCEL to exit without saving
• Help: Press PF1 for context-sensitive help on any command
• Case Sensitivity: Most commands are case-insensitive, but text in FIND/CHANGE is case-sensitive by default
• Command History: Use command history (if available) to recall previous commands

Explain Like I'm 5: ISPF Commands

Think of ISPF commands like different tools for editing:

• Line Commands are like sticky notes you put on specific lines. You write a letter (like D for delete, I for insert) on the sticky note, and when you press Enter, the editor does that action on that line. It's like putting a note that says "delete this" or "add a new line here"!
• Primary Commands are like instructions you give to the whole editor. You type them on the command line (like "find this word" or "save everything"), and the editor does that action for the whole file. It's like telling the editor "do this for everything"!
• Function Keys are like shortcut buttons. Instead of typing commands, you just press a button (like PF3 to save and exit). It's like having a remote control with buttons for common actions!
• Combining Commands is like using multiple tools together. You might mark lines to copy (C), then mark where to put them (A for after), and press Enter to do both actions together. It's like saying "copy these lines and put them after that line"!

So ISPF commands are like having different tools - sticky notes for specific lines, instructions for the whole file, and shortcut buttons for quick actions!

Practice Exercises

Practice using commands from this quick reference:

Exercise 1: Basic Line Commands

Objective: Practice basic line operations.

Steps:

• Open a file in ISPF editor
• Use I to insert a new line
• Use D to delete a line
• Use R to repeat a line
• Practice with multiple lines (II, DD, RR)

Exercise 2: Move and Copy

Objective: Practice moving and copying lines.

Steps:

• Use C to mark lines to copy
• Use A to specify where to copy them
• Press Enter to execute
• Use M to move lines instead
• Compare the difference

Exercise 3: Primary Commands

Objective: Practice primary commands.

Steps:

• Use FIND to locate text
• Use CHANGE to replace text
• Use TOP and BOTTOM to navigate
• Use SAVE to save changes
• Practice with different command options

Related Concepts