ISPF Panels: Anatomy of a Panel

ISPF panels are the fundamental building blocks of the ISPF interface. Every screen you see in ISPF is a panel, and understanding panel anatomy helps you navigate and use ISPF effectively. This tutorial covers the structure of ISPF panels, including the title, body, action bar, and help components, providing a foundation for understanding how ISPF works.

Panels are defined using ISPF Panel Definition Language and stored in panel libraries. When ISPF displays a panel, it renders the panel definition as a screen that you can interact with. Understanding panel structure helps you know where to look for information, how to enter data, and how to access functions.

Panel Title

The panel title appears at the top of ISPF panels and provides identification and context information.

Title Components

The title area typically includes:

• Panel Name: The name of the panel, often displayed prominently. Panel names help identify which panel you're viewing.
• Panel Description: A brief description of what the panel does or its purpose. This helps you understand the panel's function.
• Context Information: Additional information like your userid, current date, time, or system information. This provides context for your session.
• Panel Version: Some panels may display version information or panel identifiers.

Title Examples

Title areas might look like:

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ISPF PRIMARY OPTION MENU
Userid: USERID    Date: 2024/01/15    Time: 10:30:45

Or for a specific panel:

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EDIT - Edit Entry Panel
Specify dataset name and member to edit

Title Purpose

The title serves several purposes:

• Identification: Helps you identify which panel you're viewing
• Context: Provides context about your session and the current operation
• Orientation: Helps you understand where you are in ISPF navigation
• Information: Displays useful information like userid and date

Panel Body

The body is the main working area of an ISPF panel, containing the primary content and interactive elements.

Body Components

The body typically contains:

• Input Fields: Fields where you enter data. Input fields may be text fields, selection fields, or other input types.
• Output Fields: Fields that display information. Output fields show data but don't allow input.
• Selection Lists: Lists of items you can select from, such as menu options or dataset members.
• Text and Instructions: Explanatory text, labels, and instructions that guide you in using the panel.
• Data Displays: Tables, lists, or formatted displays of information.
• Command Areas: Areas where you can enter commands or make selections.

Body Layout

The body layout varies by panel type:

• Menu Panels: Display lists of options with numbers or letters for selection
• Data Entry Panels: Show input fields with labels and instructions
• Information Panels: Display formatted information, tables, or lists
• Editor Panels: Show file contents with line numbers and editing areas
• List Panels: Display scrollable lists of items with selection capabilities

Body Interaction

You interact with the body by:

• Entering Data: Typing into input fields
• Making Selections: Selecting items from lists or menus
• Scrolling: Using function keys to scroll through content
• Navigating: Moving between fields using Tab, Enter, or other navigation keys
• Entering Commands: Typing commands in command areas

Action Bar

The action bar is a menu bar typically located at the top of ISPF panels (below the title) that provides access to panel-specific functions and options.

Action Bar Components

Action bars typically include:

• Menu Options: Text labels for available actions or functions
• Pull-Down Menus: Some action bars support pull-down menus that reveal additional options when selected
• Direct Actions: Options you can select directly from the action bar
• Navigation Options: Options for navigating to related panels or functions

Action Bar Usage

To use the action bar:

• Point and Select: Position your cursor on an action bar option and press Enter, or use mouse/trackball if supported
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Some action bar options may have keyboard shortcuts
• Pull-Down Menus: Select an option to reveal a pull-down menu with additional choices
• Context-Sensitive: Action bar options change based on the panel and context

Action Bar Examples

Action bars might display options like:

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Action Bar:  View  Edit  Utilities  Settings  Help

Or more specific options for a particular panel:

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Action Bar:  Save  Cancel  Find  Change  Settings

Help System

ISPF provides comprehensive help that is accessible from most panels. Help provides context-sensitive information about the current panel and how to use it.

Accessing Help

To access help:

• PF1 Key: Press PF1 (or F1) to display help for the current panel
• Action Bar: Some panels have a Help option in the action bar
• Command: Some panels may support a HELP command

Help Content

Help typically provides:

• 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
• Related Information: Links to related panels, commands, or topics
• Examples: Example usage scenarios

Help Navigation

Within help:

• Scroll Through Help: Use PF7/PF8 to scroll through help content
• Return to Panel: Press PF3 to return to the panel from help
• Navigate Help: Some help systems support navigation to related help topics

Other Panel Elements

In addition to the main components, ISPF panels may include other elements.

Function Key Labels

Many panels display function key labels at the bottom of the screen, showing what each function key does on that panel:

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PF1=Help  PF3=End  PF7=Up  PF8=Down  PF12=Cancel

These labels help you know what function keys are available and what they do on the current panel.

Status Line

Some panels include a status line that displays:

• Current operation status
• Error or informational messages
• Progress indicators
• System messages

Command Line

Many panels have a command line area (often at the bottom) where you can:

• Enter commands
• Type option numbers or letters
• Enter TSO commands (with "=" prefix on some panels)
• Enter panel-specific commands

Panel Types and Variations

Different types of panels emphasize different components:

Menu Panels

Menu panels emphasize:

• Clear title identifying the menu
• Body containing numbered or lettered options
• Command line for selecting options
• Function key labels for navigation

Data Entry Panels

Data entry panels emphasize:

• Clear title describing the form
• Body with labeled input fields
• Instructions and help text
• Action bar with form actions (Save, Cancel, etc.)

Information Display Panels

Information panels emphasize:

• Title identifying the information
• Body with formatted information display
• Scrolling capabilities for long content
• Function keys for navigation

Understanding Panel Flow

Understanding how panels work together helps you navigate ISPF effectively:

Panel Navigation

Panels are connected through navigation:

• Selecting an option on one panel displays another panel
• Function keys (like PF3) return you to previous panels
• Action bar options may navigate to related panels
• Command entry may invoke other panels or functions

Panel Stack

ISPF maintains a panel stack (history of panels you've visited):

• Each panel you visit is added to the stack
• Pressing PF3 (End) returns you to the previous panel in the stack
• You can navigate back through multiple levels
• Understanding the stack helps you know where PF3 will take you

Best Practices for Using Panels

Following best practices helps you use ISPF panels effectively:

• Read the Title: Always check the panel title to understand what panel you're viewing
• Use Help: Press PF1 for help when you're unsure about a panel or field
• Check Function Keys: Look at function key labels to see what's available
• Explore Action Bars: Check action bar options to discover available functions
• Read Instructions: Pay attention to instructions and text in the body
• Understand Field Labels: Field labels explain what each field is for
• Use PF3 to Navigate Back: Remember that PF3 returns you to previous panels
• Check Command Line: Look for command line areas where you can enter commands

Explain Like I'm 5: ISPF Panel Anatomy

Think of an ISPF panel like a page in a book or a form:

• The Title is like the title of the page—it tells you what the page is about, just like "Chapter 3: The Magic Forest" tells you what you're reading.
• The Body is like the main part of the page where the story or information is. It's where you read, write, or do things—the main working area.
• The Action Bar is like buttons at the top of the page that let you do special things, like "Save" or "Print" buttons on a computer program.
• Help is like having a teacher nearby. When you press the help button (PF1), the teacher explains what everything on the page means and how to use it.
• Function Keys are like special buttons at the bottom that tell you what you can do, like "Press this button to go to the next page" or "Press this to go back".

So an ISPF panel is like a smart page that tells you what it is (title), lets you work on it (body), gives you buttons to do things (action bar), and has a helper (help) to explain everything!

Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to reinforce your understanding of ISPF panel anatomy:

Exercise 1: Panel Component Identification

As you use ISPF, identify the components of each panel you encounter. For each panel, identify: the title and what it tells you, the body and what it contains, any action bar and its options, and how to access help. Document your observations to build understanding of panel structure.

Exercise 2: Help Exploration

Practice accessing help on various ISPF panels. Press PF1 on different panels (menus, data entry forms, editor, etc.) and explore the help content. Note what information is provided, how help is organized, and what you learn from help. Practice navigating help and returning to panels.

Exercise 3: Action Bar Investigation

Explore action bars on different ISPF panels. Identify what options are available, try selecting different options, and see what happens. Document which panels have action bars, what options they provide, and how action bars differ between panel types.

Exercise 4: Function Key Label Analysis

Examine function key labels on different panels. Note which function keys are available on each panel type and what they do. Compare function key assignments across different panels to understand how they change based on context. Practice using function keys based on the labels.

Exercise 5: Panel Navigation Practice

Practice navigating through ISPF panels, paying attention to the panel stack. Start at the Primary Option Menu, navigate to different panels, and use PF3 to return. Track which panels you visit and understand how PF3 takes you back through the stack. Practice until navigation becomes intuitive.

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