Line commands on utility lists provide quick access to operations on datasets and members displayed in utility list screens. These commands work in Library Utility member lists, DSLIST dataset lists, and other utility displays. Common commands include B (Browse), C (Copy), D (Delete), E (Edit), G (Get), J (Compare), M (Move), P (Print), R (Rename), and T (Transfer). This tutorial covers all utility line commands with detailed explanations and examples.
Understanding utility line commands is essential for efficient dataset and member management, as they allow you to perform operations directly from list displays without navigating to separate panels. Mastering these commands significantly improves your productivity when working with utilities.
Understanding Utility Line Commands
Utility line commands work similarly to editor line commands but operate on utility list items.
What are Utility Line Commands?
Utility line commands:
Are single-character action codes
Are entered in command areas next to list items
Operate on datasets or members in lists
Can be used for multiple items simultaneously
Execute when you press Enter
Where Line Commands Work
Line commands work in:
Library Utility member lists
DSLIST dataset lists
Other utility list displays
Any utility that shows items in list format
Command Entry
To use line commands:
Enter the command character in the command area
Position it next to the target item
You can enter multiple commands
Press Enter to execute all commands
Browse Command (B)
The Browse command opens an item in read-only mode.
Using Browse
To browse an item:
Enter "B" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
The item opens in Browse mode
You can view but not modify
Browse Example
In a member list:
text
1
2
3
Command ===>
Name Size Created Modified User
B MEMBER1 00150 2024/01/15 2024/01/20 USER01
This browses MEMBER1.
Copy Command (C)
The Copy command creates a copy of an item.
Using Copy
To copy an item:
Enter "C" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
You're prompted for target location
Enter target information
Copy is created
Copy Example
In a member list:
text
1
2
3
Command ===>
Name Size Created Modified User
C MEMBER1 00150 2024/01/15 2024/01/20 USER01
After entering C, you're prompted for target dataset and member name.
Delete Command (D)
The Delete command removes an item.
Using Delete
To delete an item:
Enter "D" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
You may be prompted for confirmation
Confirm to delete
The item is permanently removed
Delete Warning
Important considerations:
Delete is permanent and cannot be undone
Always verify before deleting
Consider backing up important items
Confirm you're deleting the correct item
Edit Command (E)
The Edit command opens an item in the ISPF editor.
Using Edit
To edit an item:
Enter "E" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
The item opens in Edit mode
You can make changes
Edit Example
In a member list:
text
1
2
3
Command ===>
Name Size Created Modified User
E MEMBER1 00150 2024/01/15 2024/01/20 USER01
This opens MEMBER1 in the editor.
Get Command (G)
The Get command retrieves or displays an item.
Using Get
To get an item:
Enter "G" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
The item is retrieved or displayed
Exact behavior depends on utility context
Get Behavior
Get may:
Retrieve a member for viewing
Display dataset information
Get item details
Vary by utility and context
Compare Command (J)
The Compare command compares two items.
Using Compare
To compare items:
Enter "J" in the command area next to the first item
Press Enter
You're prompted for the second item to compare
Enter the second item name
Comparison is performed
Differences are displayed
Compare Example
Comparing two members:
text
1
2
3
4
Command ===>
Name Size Created Modified User
J MEMBER1 00150 2024/01/15 2024/01/20 USER01
MEMBER2 00200 2024/01/16 2024/01/18 USER01
After entering J next to MEMBER1, you're prompted for the second member (MEMBER2).
Move Command (M)
The Move command relocates an item.
Using Move
To move an item:
Enter "M" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
You're prompted for target location
Enter target information
Item is moved and removed from source
Move Warning
Important considerations:
Move permanently removes item from source
Verify source and target before moving
Consider backing up before moving
Move cannot be easily undone
Print Command (P)
The Print command prints an item.
Using Print
To print an item:
Enter "P" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
You may be prompted for print options
Print job is submitted
Item is printed
Print Example
In a member list:
text
1
2
3
Command ===>
Name Size Created Modified User
P MEMBER1 00150 2024/01/15 2024/01/20 USER01
This prints MEMBER1.
Rename Command (R)
The Rename command changes an item's name.
Using Rename
To rename an item:
Enter "R" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
You're prompted for the new name
Enter the new name
Item is renamed
Rename Requirements
When renaming:
The new name must be unique
Follow naming conventions
Verify the new name is correct
Catalog entries are updated automatically
Transfer Command (T)
The Transfer command transfers items between locations.
Using Transfer
To transfer an item:
Enter "T" in the command area next to the item
Press Enter
You're prompted for target location
Enter target information
Item is transferred
Transfer vs Move
Transfer may be similar to Move but:
May have specific transfer semantics
May support different transfer options
May work between different location types
Exact behavior varies by utility and ISPF version
Multiple Commands
You can use multiple line commands simultaneously.
Using Multiple Commands
To use multiple commands:
Enter commands for multiple items
Each item can have a different command
Press Enter to execute all commands
Commands are processed in order
Multiple Commands Example
Example of multiple commands:
text
1
2
3
4
5
6
Command ===>
Name Size Created Modified User
B MEMBER1 00150 2024/01/15 2024/01/20 USER01
E MEMBER2 00200 2024/01/16 2024/01/18 USER01
P MEMBER3 00080 2024/01/17 2024/01/17 USER02
D MEMBER4 00120 2024/01/18 2024/01/19 USER01
This would browse MEMBER1, edit MEMBER2, print MEMBER3, and delete MEMBER4 all in one operation.
Command Summary
Quick reference for utility line commands.
Command Reference Table
Common utility line commands:
B: Browse - View item in read-only mode
C: Copy - Create a copy of the item
D: Delete - Remove the item
E: Edit - Edit item in ISPF editor
G: Get - Retrieve or display the item
J: Compare - Compare two items
M: Move - Relocate the item
P: Print - Print the item
R: Rename - Change the item's name
T: Transfer - Transfer the item
Best Practices
Following best practices helps you use utility line commands effectively:
Verify Before Delete: Always verify items before using D command
Use Browse for Viewing: Use B instead of E when you only need to view
Combine Commands Efficiently: Use multiple commands for bulk operations
Understand Command Behavior: Know what each command does before using it
Confirm Destructive Operations: Always confirm delete and move operations
Use Appropriate Commands: Choose the right command for your task
Test on Sample Items: Test commands on test items first if unsure
Review Results: Verify that commands executed successfully
Explain Like I'm 5: Utility Line Commands
Think of utility line commands like special buttons next to each item in a list:
B (Browse) is like a "look" button. You press B next to a file, and it opens so you can look at it, but you can't change it. It's like looking through a window at something!
E (Edit) is like an "edit" button. You press E next to a file, and it opens so you can change it. It's like opening a file to write in it!
D (Delete) is like a "throw away" button. You press D next to a file, and it gets thrown away forever. It's like putting something in the trash!
C (Copy) is like a "make a copy" button. You press C next to a file, and it makes an exact copy. The original stays, and you get a new copy!
J (Compare) is like a "compare" button. You press J next to one file, then pick another file, and it shows you what's different between them. It's like comparing two pictures to see what changed!
So utility line commands are like having special buttons next to each item in your list that let you do things with them—look at them, edit them, copy them, compare them, and more!
Practice Exercises
Complete these exercises to reinforce your understanding of utility line commands:
Exercise 1: Basic Commands
Practice basic commands: use B to browse items, E to edit items, I to view information, and understand basic command usage. Build familiarity with utility line commands.
Exercise 2: Copy and Move
Practice copy and move: use C to copy items, M to move items, understand the difference, verify results, and learn when to use each. Master copy and move operations.
Exercise 3: Compare Operations
Practice compare: use J to compare items, understand comparison results, compare different types of items, and learn to interpret differences. Master comparison operations.
Exercise 4: Multiple Commands
Practice multiple commands: enter commands for multiple items, execute them together, verify all commands executed, and understand bulk operations. Learn efficient command usage.
Exercise 5: Command Workflows
Practice workflows: combine commands in real utility tasks, use commands in your daily work, and build efficient utility workflows. Integrate commands into your routine.
Test Your Knowledge
1. What line command browses an item in utility lists?