Using Zowe CLI with ISPF: Bridging to Modern Toolchains and DevOps
Zowe CLI is a command-line interface that provides modern, scriptable access to z/OS mainframe resources, bridging traditional ISPF workflows with modern DevOps practices. While ISPF provides an interactive interface for mainframe work, Zowe CLI enables automation, integration with modern tools, and adoption of DevOps practices for mainframe development. This tutorial covers using Zowe CLI with ISPF workflows, mapping ISPF operations to DevOps practices, and integrating mainframe development into modern toolchains.
The mainframe development world is evolving, and Zowe CLI plays a crucial role in modernizing mainframe work. Understanding how Zowe CLI relates to ISPF and how to use it effectively helps you bridge traditional mainframe development with modern DevOps practices, enabling automation, version control integration, CI/CD pipelines, and collaboration through modern tooling.
Understanding Zowe CLI
Zowe CLI is part of the Zowe framework, an open-source project that provides modern interfaces for z/OS. Understanding Zowe CLI helps you see how it relates to and extends ISPF capabilities.
What is Zowe CLI?
Zowe CLI is:
Command-Line Interface: Provides command-line access to z/OS resources, similar to how you might use Git or Docker from the command line
Scriptable: Commands can be used in scripts, enabling automation of mainframe operations
Cross-Platform: Runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing mainframe access from any development environment
Modern Integration: Integrates with modern development tools, IDEs, CI/CD pipelines, and version control systems
ISPF Alternative: Provides programmatic alternatives to ISPF operations, enabling automation and integration
Zowe CLI doesn't replace ISPF but provides complementary capabilities that enable modern development practices while still allowing traditional ISPF use when needed.
Zowe CLI and ISPF Relationship
Zowe CLI and ISPF serve different but complementary purposes:
ISPF: Interactive, graphical interface for mainframe work. Best for exploratory work, learning, and interactive operations.
Zowe CLI: Command-line, scriptable interface. Best for automation, integration, and repetitive operations.
Complementary: Use ISPF for interactive work and Zowe CLI for automation and integration
Same Resources: Both work with the same mainframe resources (datasets, jobs, etc.)
Different Interfaces: Different interfaces for different use cases and preferences
Understanding when to use each tool helps you work efficiently and leverage the strengths of both.
ISPF Workflows and DevOps Mapping
Traditional ISPF workflows can be mapped to modern DevOps practices. Understanding these mappings helps you modernize mainframe development while preserving ISPF knowledge and workflows.
Editing Workflows
ISPF editing maps to DevOps code management:
ISPF Editor: Interactive editing of datasets in ISPF
DevOps Equivalent: Code editing in modern IDEs with version control integration
Zowe CLI Bridge: Use Zowe CLI to download datasets, edit locally, and upload changes
Benefits: Modern editors, version control, code reviews, automated formatting
Zowe CLI enables editing mainframe code with modern tools while maintaining the ability to work directly on the mainframe when needed.
Dataset Management
ISPF dataset management maps to infrastructure and artifact management:
ISPF Dataset Utility: Manual dataset allocation and management
Zowe CLI Bridge: Submit jobs programmatically, integrate into CI/CD pipelines
Benefits: Automated deployments, consistent processes, deployment history
Zowe CLI enables automated job submission as part of CI/CD pipelines, modernizing deployment processes.
Library Management
ISPF library management maps to version control and artifact management:
ISPF Libraries: Manual library management and member organization
DevOps Equivalent: Version control systems, artifact repositories, dependency management
Zowe CLI Bridge: Integrate libraries with version control, automate library operations
Benefits: Version history, collaboration, automated library management
Zowe CLI enables treating ISPF libraries like modern code repositories with version control and collaboration.
Using Zowe CLI for ISPF Operations
Zowe CLI provides commands that correspond to common ISPF operations. Understanding these commands helps you perform ISPF-like operations from the command line.
Dataset Operations
Zowe CLI provides dataset operations similar to ISPF:
zowe files list: List datasets, similar to ISPF DSLIST (Option 3.4)
zowe files view: View dataset content, similar to ISPF BROWSE
zowe files edit: Edit datasets, similar to ISPF EDIT
zowe files download: Download datasets to local files
zowe files upload: Upload local files to datasets
zowe files create: Create new datasets, similar to ISPF allocation
These commands enable performing ISPF dataset operations from the command line and in scripts.
Example: Editing a Dataset
Traditional ISPF workflow:
Open ISPF
Navigate to Option 2 (Edit)
Enter dataset name
Edit interactively
Save and exit
Zowe CLI equivalent:
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# Download dataset to local file
zowe files download ds "USERID.SOURCE.COBOL(MEMBER1)" -f member1.cbl
# Edit locally with your preferred editor
# (Use VS Code, vim, or any editor)
# Upload changes back
zowe files upload file-to-data-set member1.cbl "USERID.SOURCE.COBOL(MEMBER1)"
This workflow enables using modern editors, version control, and automation while working with mainframe datasets.
Job Operations
Zowe CLI provides job operations:
zowe jobs submit: Submit jobs, similar to ISPF job submission
zowe jobs list: List jobs, similar to viewing job output
zowe jobs view: View job output
zowe jobs cancel: Cancel jobs
These commands enable automated job submission and monitoring, integrating mainframe jobs into CI/CD pipelines.
Integrating with Modern Toolchains
Zowe CLI enables integrating ISPF workflows with modern development toolchains, bringing mainframe development into modern DevOps practices.
Version Control Integration
Zowe CLI enables version control for mainframe code:
Download to Local: Download datasets to local files
Version Control: Use Git or other version control systems with local files
Upload Changes: Upload changes from version control back to mainframe
Benefits: Version history, code reviews, collaboration, branching and merging
This enables using modern version control practices with mainframe code while maintaining the ability to work directly on the mainframe.
CI/CD Pipeline Integration
Zowe CLI enables CI/CD for mainframe deployments:
Pipeline Scripts: Use Zowe CLI commands in CI/CD pipeline scripts
Automated Deployment: Automate dataset updates, job submission, and testing
Integration: Integrate with Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, and other CI/CD tools
This enables faster, more reliable mainframe deployments through automation.
Best Practices
Following best practices helps you effectively use Zowe CLI with ISPF workflows:
Use Right Tool for Task: Use ISPF for interactive work, Zowe CLI for automation
Start Small: Begin with simple Zowe CLI operations and gradually expand
Version Control: Use version control for mainframe code managed through Zowe CLI
Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use Zowe CLI to automate repetitive ISPF operations
Integrate Gradually: Integrate Zowe CLI into workflows gradually, not all at once
Maintain ISPF Skills: Continue using ISPF for interactive work and learning
Document Workflows: Document Zowe CLI workflows and integrations
Test Automation: Test automated workflows thoroughly before production use
Explain Like I'm 5: Zowe CLI and ISPF
Think of ISPF and Zowe CLI like different ways to play with the same toys:
ISPF is like playing with toys by hand - you pick them up, move them around, and play with them directly. It's great for exploring and learning, but you have to do everything yourself each time!
Zowe CLI is like having a remote control for your toys - you can tell them what to do with commands, and they do it automatically. You can even program the remote control to do things automatically, like a robot that plays with your toys for you!
DevOps is like having a whole system of robots that work together - one robot builds things, another tests them, another puts them in the right place. Zowe CLI helps your mainframe toys work with these robots!
Version Control is like having a photo album that remembers every version of your toys - you can see how they looked before, go back to old versions, and share photos with friends. Zowe CLI helps you take photos of your mainframe work!
CI/CD Pipelines are like assembly lines for toys - toys go through the line automatically, getting built, tested, and delivered. Zowe CLI helps your mainframe work go through these assembly lines!
So Zowe CLI is like a remote control that lets you automate and integrate your ISPF work with modern tools, making it work like modern software development!