ISPF Help System & Context-Sensitive Help

The ISPF help system is a comprehensive resource that provides guidance and information about ISPF panels, functions, and features. Understanding how to access and use help effectively is essential for learning ISPF and getting assistance when needed. This tutorial covers the ISPF help system, including context-sensitive help, how to access help, navigating help content, and getting the most from help resources.

ISPF help is context-sensitive, meaning the help information displayed is specific to the panel or function you're currently using. This makes help more relevant and useful than generic documentation. When you press PF1 for help, ISPF shows information relevant to your current context, making it easier to understand what you're working with and how to use it.

Accessing Help in ISPF

ISPF provides several ways to access help, with PF1 being the primary method.

Using PF1 for Help

The primary way to access help in ISPF is by pressing PF1 (or F1):

• Press PF1 (or F1) on any ISPF panel
• ISPF displays help information for the current panel
• Help explains the panel's purpose, how to use it, and what options are available
• Press PF3 to return to the panel from help

Help Availability

Help is available on most ISPF panels:

• Most Panels: Help is available on most user-facing panels, menus, and utilities
• Menus: Help is available on menu panels, explaining what each option does
• Data Entry Panels: Help explains what each field means and what values are expected
• Editor: Help is available in the editor, explaining editor commands and features
• Utilities: Help is available for utility functions, explaining how to use them

Some very simple panels or system-level panels may not have help, but most panels you'll use regularly have help available.

Context-Sensitive Help

ISPF help is context-sensitive, meaning it provides information specific to your current context.

What Context-Sensitive Means

Context-sensitive help means:

• Panel-Specific: Help is specific to the panel you're viewing
• Function-Specific: Help relates to the function or operation you're performing
• Field-Specific: Help may provide information about the field your cursor is on
• Relevant Information: Help shows information relevant to your current situation

Benefits of Context-Sensitive Help

Context-sensitive help provides several benefits:

• Relevance: Information is directly relevant to what you're doing
• Efficiency: You don't need to search through generic documentation
• Clarity: Help explains exactly what you need to know for the current panel
• Learning: Helps you learn ISPF by providing relevant information as you work
• Reduced Confusion: Reduces confusion by focusing on the current context

Examples of Context-Sensitive Help

Here are examples of how help is context-sensitive:

• On a Menu Panel: Help explains what each menu option does
• On a Data Entry Panel: Help explains what each field means and what values to enter
• In the Editor: Help explains editor commands and how to use them
• On a Utility Panel: Help explains how to use that specific utility
• On an Error Panel: Help may explain what the error means and how to resolve it

Help Content

ISPF help provides comprehensive information about panels and functions.

Types of Information in Help

Help typically includes:

• Panel Description: Explanation of what the panel does and when to use it
• Field Descriptions: Explanations of what each field means and what values are expected
• Usage Instructions: Step-by-step instructions for using the panel
• Function Key Information: What each function key does on this panel
• Command Information: Available commands and their syntax
• Options and Parameters: Available options and what they do
• Related Information: Links to related panels, commands, or topics
• Examples: Example usage scenarios
• Tips and Notes: Helpful tips and important notes

Help Organization

Help content is typically organized into sections:

• Overview: General description of the panel or function
• Fields: Detailed field descriptions
• Usage: How to use the panel or function
• Commands: Available commands and their syntax
• Function Keys: Function key assignments
• Examples: Usage examples
• Related Topics: Links to related help topics

Navigating Help

ISPF help can be navigated using function keys and other methods.

Scrolling Through Help

Help content may span multiple screens. To navigate through help:

• PF7 (Up): Scroll up through help content to see earlier information
• PF8 (Down): Scroll down through help content to see later information
• PF10/PF11: Scroll left/right if help content is wide

Returning from Help

To return to the panel from help:

• Press PF3 (End) to return to the panel you were viewing
• You return to the exact same state you were in before accessing help
• Any data you entered is preserved

Help Navigation Features

Some help systems may provide additional navigation:

• Topic Links: Links to related help topics that you can select
• Index: An index of help topics
• Search: Ability to search help content (in some systems)
• History: Ability to go back to previously viewed help topics

Help for Different Panel Types

Help content varies depending on the type of panel you're viewing.

Menu Panel Help

Help for menu panels typically includes:

• Description of the menu's purpose
• Explanation of what each menu option does
• How to select options
• Navigation information
• Function key assignments for the menu

Data Entry Panel Help

Help for data entry panels typically includes:

• Description of what the form is for
• Explanation of each field and what values are expected
• Required vs. optional fields
• Field format requirements
• Validation rules
• How to submit the form

Editor Help

Help in the editor typically includes:

• Editor overview and capabilities
• Line command reference
• Primary command reference
• Function key assignments
• Editing techniques and tips
• Command syntax and examples

Utility Help

Help for utilities typically includes:

• What the utility does
• How to use the utility
• Parameter descriptions
• Options and their effects
• Usage examples
• Common use cases

Getting Help for Commands

You can get help for specific commands in ISPF.

Editor Command Help

In the ISPF editor, you can get help for editor commands:

• Type HELP commandname on the command line
• For example: HELP FIND shows help for the FIND command
• Help explains command syntax, parameters, and usage

TSO Command Help

In ISPF Option 6 (Command), you can get help for TSO commands:

• Type HELP commandname at the command prompt
• For example: HELP ALLOCATE shows help for the ALLOCATE command
• Help explains TSO command syntax, qualifiers, and usage

Best Practices for Using Help

Following best practices helps you get the most from ISPF help:

• Use Help When Unsure: Don't hesitate to press PF1 when you're unsure about a panel or field
• Read Field Descriptions: Pay attention to field descriptions in help to understand what values are expected
• Check Function Keys: Use help to see what function keys are available on each panel
• Scroll Through Help: Don't stop at the first screen—scroll through help to see all available information
• Use Help for Learning: Use help as a learning tool to understand ISPF features
• Check Related Topics: Look for related topics in help to discover additional information
• Use Command Help: Use HELP commandname to get syntax help for commands
• Practice with Help: Practice accessing help on different panels to become comfortable with it

Help System Limitations

Understanding help system limitations helps you use it appropriately:

• Not All Panels Have Help: Some very simple or system-level panels may not have help
• Help May Be Basic: Some help may be basic and not cover advanced topics
• Help May Be Outdated: Help content may not always reflect the latest features or changes
• System-Specific: Help may vary between different ISPF installations or versions
• No Interactive Help: Help is typically read-only—you can't interact with it beyond navigation

Explain Like I'm 5: ISPF Help

Think of ISPF help like having a teacher nearby who can explain things:

• PF1 is like raising your hand and asking "Can you explain this?" The teacher (help) comes and explains exactly what you're looking at.
• Context-Sensitive means the teacher looks at what you're doing and explains that specific thing. If you're looking at a form, the teacher explains the form. If you're looking at a menu, the teacher explains the menu.
• Scrolling is like turning pages in a book. If the explanation is long, you can scroll through it to read all of it.
• PF3 is like saying "Thank you, I understand now" and going back to what you were doing.
• Help is Always There means you can ask for help anytime you're confused, and the teacher will explain things to help you understand.

So ISPF help is like having a helpful teacher who can explain anything you're looking at, and you can ask for help anytime by pressing PF1!

Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to reinforce your understanding of the ISPF help system:

Exercise 1: Help Access Practice

Practice accessing help on various ISPF panels. Press PF1 on menus, data entry panels, editor, and utilities. Observe what help is available on each panel type. Document your findings about help availability and content.

Exercise 2: Help Navigation Practice

Practice navigating through help content. Access help on a panel with extensive help content, scroll through it using PF7/PF8, and practice returning to the panel using PF3. Become comfortable with help navigation.

Exercise 3: Context-Sensitive Help Exploration

Explore how help is context-sensitive. Access help on different panels and note how the help content changes based on the panel. Compare help for a menu panel versus help for a data entry panel versus help for the editor. Document how help adapts to context.

Exercise 4: Command Help Practice

Practice getting help for commands. In the editor, use HELP FIND, HELP CHANGE, and other editor commands. In Option 6, use HELP ALLOCATE, HELP LISTCAT, and other TSO commands. Practice using command help to learn command syntax.

Exercise 5: Help Content Analysis

Analyze help content on different panels. Document what types of information are provided in help (field descriptions, usage instructions, function keys, etc.). Identify which panels have the most comprehensive help and which have basic help. Create a reference of help content types.

Related Concepts