How do I print a dataset or member from ISPF?

To print a dataset or member from ISPF, use the PRINT command. While browsing or editing, type PRINT on the command line, or use the PRINT primary command. You can also use ISPF utilities to print datasets. Specify print options such as destination, format, and page settings. The dataset or member is sent to the specified printer or output destination.

What is the print-index command in ISPF?

The print-index command prints the member list (directory) of a PDS. It creates a listing showing all members in the partitioned dataset, useful for documenting PDS contents or creating member catalogs. Print-index is typically used from the PDS member list display or through ISPF utilities.

Can I print multiple members at once?

Yes, you can print multiple members by selecting them in the PDS member list and using print commands, or by using print utilities with member patterns. Some ISPF utilities allow batch printing of multiple members. You can also create JCL to print multiple members programmatically.

What print options are available in ISPF?

ISPF print options include destination selection (printer, dataset, SYSOUT), page format settings, line spacing, character set selection, and output formatting options. You can specify print class, copies, and other printer-specific options depending on your system configuration.

How do I print a PDS member list?

To print a PDS member list, use the print-index command from the PDS member list display, or use ISPF utilities to generate a member index listing. This creates a printed list of all members in the PDS, useful for documentation and reference.

Can I print to a file instead of a printer?

Yes, you can print to a file by specifying a dataset as the print destination, or by using SYSOUT with appropriate routing. This allows you to create printed output in dataset format for later viewing, archiving, or further processing.

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Printing Members and Datasets from ISPF: Print & Print-Index

Printing datasets and members from ISPF allows you to create hard copies or output files of your data. ISPF provides print commands and utilities for printing datasets, PDS members, and member lists. Understanding printing capabilities helps you generate printed output for documentation, archiving, and reference. This tutorial covers print commands, print-index for member lists, print options, and best practices.

Printing from ISPF is useful for creating physical copies, generating output files, and documenting dataset contents. Print commands work from browse and edit modes, while print-index creates member catalogs. This tutorial provides practical guidance for printing effectively from ISPF.

Understanding Printing in ISPF

ISPF provides multiple ways to print datasets and members.

What is Printing?

Printing in ISPF involves:

Sending dataset or member content to a printer
Creating output files for printing
Generating formatted listings
Creating member catalogs and indexes

Print Destinations

Print output can go to:

Physical Printers: Direct printer output
SYSOUT: System output for later printing
Datasets: Output files for archiving
Files: File-based output

Using PRINT Command

The PRINT command prints datasets and members.

Printing from Browse

To print while browsing:

Browse the dataset or member
Type PRINT on the command line
Specify print options if needed
Execute the print command
Output is sent to printer or destination

Printing from Edit

To print while editing:

Edit the dataset or member
Type PRINT on the command line
Set print options
Execute the print command

PRINT Command Syntax

Basic PRINT command:

text

1
Command ===> PRINT

With options:

text

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Command ===> PRINT DEST(printer) COPIES(2)

Printing Specific Ranges

You can print specific line ranges:

Select lines to print
Use line commands for selection
Print only selected lines
Useful for partial printing

Print Options

Print commands support various options.

Destination Options

Destination options include:

Printer Name: Specific printer
SYSOUT Class: System output class
Dataset: Output dataset
Default: System default destination

Format Options

Format options include:

Page size and margins
Line spacing
Character set
Header and footer options
Page numbering

Output Options

Output options include:

Number of copies
Output format
Compression options
Quality settings

Print-Index Command

Print-index prints PDS member lists.

What is Print-Index?

Print-index creates a listing of:

All members in a PDS
Member names and attributes
Member list catalog
Directory information

Using Print-Index

To use print-index:

Display PDS member list
Type PRINT-INDEX on command line
Or use print-index from utilities
Specify print options
Execute to generate member list

Print-Index Output

Print-index output includes:

PDS name
List of all members
Member names in alphabetical order
Optional member attributes
Directory statistics

Printing Multiple Members

You can print multiple members efficiently.

Selecting Multiple Members

To print multiple members:

Display PDS member list
Select multiple members using line commands
Use print command for selected members
Or use batch print utilities

Batch Printing

For batch printing:

Use print utilities with member patterns
Create JCL for programmatic printing
Use scripts for multiple prints
Automate printing processes

Printing to Files

You can print to datasets instead of printers.

Printing to Datasets

To print to a dataset:

Specify dataset as destination
Use SYSOUT with dataset routing
Create output dataset
Save printed output for later use

Output Dataset Format

Output datasets are typically:

Sequential datasets
Fixed or variable format
Printable format
Suitable for later printing or viewing

Print Utilities

ISPF utilities provide additional print capabilities.

Data Set Utility Printing

Data Set Utility (Option 3.2) can:

Print datasets directly
Print member lists
Generate print output
Provide print options

Other Print Utilities

Other utilities may provide:

Batch printing capabilities
Advanced print formatting
Print job submission
Print queue management

Print Formatting

Understanding print formatting options.

Page Layout

Page layout options include:

Page size (letter, legal, etc.)
Margins (top, bottom, left, right)
Orientation (portrait, landscape)
Header and footer settings

Text Formatting

Text formatting options include:

Font selection
Character size
Line spacing
Character set

Common Printing Scenarios

Common scenarios for printing.

Printing Source Code

To print source code:

Browse or edit the source member
Use PRINT command
Set appropriate format options
Print for code review or documentation

Printing Member Lists

To print member lists:

Display PDS member list
Use PRINT-INDEX command
Generate member catalog
Use for documentation

Printing Reports

To print reports:

Browse report dataset
Use PRINT command
Set report formatting options
Print for distribution

Best Practices

Following best practices improves printing effectiveness:

Verify Before Printing: Review content before printing
Use Appropriate Format: Set format options appropriately
Print to File When Possible: Print to datasets for archiving
Use Print-Index for Catalogs: Use print-index for member lists
Selective Printing: Print only what you need
Document Print Settings: Keep notes on effective print settings
Verify Print Output: Check printed output for correctness
Manage Print Resources: Be mindful of printer usage

Explain Like I'm 5: Printing from ISPF

Think of printing from ISPF like making copies of your drawings:

Printing is like making a copy of your drawing on paper. When you print a dataset or member, you're making a paper copy (or file copy) of what's on the screen. It's like using a copy machine to make a copy of your drawing!
PRINT Command is like telling the copy machine "make a copy of this." You point to what you want to copy (the dataset or member) and say "print this." The system makes a copy and sends it to the printer (or saves it as a file). It's like pressing the copy button on a copy machine!
Print-Index is like making a list of all your drawings. Instead of copying each drawing, you make a list that shows all the names of your drawings. It's like creating a table of contents that lists all your drawings, so you know what you have!
Print Options are like settings on the copy machine. You can choose how many copies to make, what size paper to use, and how the copy should look. It's like adjusting the copy machine settings before making your copy!

So printing from ISPF is like using a smart copy machine that can copy your datasets and create lists of what you have!

Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to reinforce your printing skills:

Exercise 1: Basic Print

Practice basics: print a test dataset or member, understand print command, verify print output, and learn basic printing. Master basic printing.

Exercise 2: Print with Options

Practice options: use print options, set destination, configure format, understand option effects, and learn print options. Master print options.

Exercise 3: Print-Index

Practice index: use print-index to print PDS member list, understand print-index output, verify member list, and learn print-index. Master print-index.

Exercise 4: Print Multiple Members

Practice multiple: print multiple PDS members, select members for printing, understand batch printing, and learn multiple printing. Master multiple printing.

Exercise 5: Print to File

Practice file: print to dataset instead of printer, understand file printing, verify output dataset, and learn file printing. Master file printing.