You can run ISPF in batch. But running ISPF in batch doesn't let you "script" an ISPF application as is. In fact, if an ISPF application running in batch does too many panel displays, ISPF will end it with an error, because there's not going to be any response to the screen display.
If you have the code for the application you can modify it so that it can be scriptable. The basic idea is to find where the DISPLAYs and TBDISPL's are, and replace them with code that values the variables that the panel would have set. -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List <IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU> On Behalf Of Farley, Peter Sent: Friday, November 8, 2024 11:53 AM To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU Subject: Old ISPF application scripting from batch? I am asking this question here because the ISPF-L list has been pretty dormant for a while now. We have an old ISPF application which does NOT have a callable API of any kind that I need to be able to automate for a targeted list of "screen" actions. Aside from coding a VBS screen "macro" application using (for instance) the IBM PCOMM VBS interface (which I have done previously, but which is tediously tricky to cover "all the possible errors and recovery steps"), is there any way a BATCH program (Rexx or other language) can interact with such a system? It needs to be something that can be run from a batch job (or Unix services shell script if needed) as part of a larger automation project. I have been investigating the python "tnz" package for 3270 scripting, but haven't yet had the chance to try to run it under z/OS Unix services. One "gotcha" I found running a testing script using the "tnz" package from the PC side is that if your normal LOGON process keeps the "RECONNECT" switch set and you aren't currently logged off from any real 3270 session, then the 3270 script "takes over" your prior session, which then totally bollixes up the script because it doesn't know where it is. We don't have our TSO logon's enabled for multiple logon to the same LPAR, we are still strictly one logon at any time and only one TSO userid per user. So if there was any way to script an ISPF "screen-only" application from a batch job that would be a much better solution. If anyone knows of any way to handle such a project besides 3270 scripting, please let me know. Peter This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
