IBM TSO/E REXX User Manual

Causing Interactive Commands to Prompt the User
If your TSO/E profile allows prompting, when you issue an interactive command
without operands, you are prompted for operands. For example, when you issue the
LISTDS command from READY, you are prompted for a data set name.
READY
listds
ENTER DATA SET NAME -
To have TSO/E commands prompt you when the commands are issued from within
an exec, you can do one of two things:
v Run the exec explicitly with the EXEC command and use the PROMPT operand.
EXEC mynew.exec(create) exec prompt
v Use the PROMPT function within the exec. Because PROMPT is a function, it is
used as an expression within an instruction, such as an assignment instruction or
a SAY instruction. To turn prompting on, write:
saveprompt = PROMPT('ON') /* saveprompt is set to the previous
setting of PROMPT */
To turn prompting off, write:
x = PROMPT('OFF') /* x is set to the previous setting of PROMPT */
To find out the prompting status, write:
SAY PROMPT() /* displays either "ON" or "OFF" */
To reset prompting to a specific setting saved in variable saveprompt, write:
x = prompt(saveprompt)
Prompting by commands also depends on whether there are elements in the data
stack. If the data stack contains an element, the user at the terminal is not
prompted because the data stack element is used in response to the prompt. For
more information about the data stack, see “Chapter 11. Storing Information in the
Data Stack” on page 135.
Invoking Another Exec as a Command
Previously, this book discussed how to invoke another exec as an external routine
(“Chapter 6. Writing Subroutines and Functions” on page 69). You can also invoke
an exec from another exec explicitly with the EXEC command or implicitly by
member name. Like an external routine, an exec invoked explicitly or implicitly can
return a value to the caller with the RETURN or EXIT instruction. Unlike an external
routine, which passes a value to the special variable RESULT, the invoked exec
passes a value to the REXX special variable RC.
Important Note
Neither of these options can override a NOPROMPT operand in your TSO/E
profile. Your TSO/E profile controls prompting for all commands issued in your
TSO/E session whether the commands are issued in line mode, in ISPF, in an
exec, or in a CLIST. To display your profile, issue the PROFILE command. To
change a profile from NOPROMPT to PROMPT, issue:
PROFILE PROMPT
Issuing TSO/E Commands from an Exec
100
z/OS V1R1.0 TSO/E REXX User’s Guide

IBM TSO/E REXX Specifications

General

Brand	IBM
Model	TSO/E REXX
Category	Computer Hardware
Language	English

Summary

Part 1. Learning the REXX Language

Chapter 1. Introduction

Explains the REXX programming language, its features, and suitability for various users.

Chapter 2. Writing and Running a REXX Exec

Details the process of writing, running, and understanding REXX execs, including syntax rules and common issues.

Chapter 3. Using Variables and Expressions

Covers REXX variables, expressions, operators, and tracing techniques for data manipulation and calculations.

Chapter 4. Controlling the Flow Within an Exec

Explains how to alter REXX exec execution using conditional, looping, and interrupt instructions.

Chapter 5. Using Functions

Describes REXX functions, including built-in, user-written, and packages, and how to use them.

Chapter 6. Writing Subroutines and Functions

Guides on writing, calling, and passing information to REXX subroutines and functions.

Chapter 7. Manipulating Data

Covers REXX data manipulation using compound variables, stems, and various parsing techniques.

Part 2. Using REXX

Chapter 8. Entering Commands from an Exec

Explains how REXX execs can interact with the operating system by issuing TSO/E and host commands.

Chapter 9. Diagnosing Problems Within an Exec

Details techniques for diagnosing and debugging REXX execs using tracing and special variables.

Chapter 10. Using TSO/E External Functions

Describes TSO/E external functions available for interacting with the system and performing specific tasks.

Chapter 11. Storing Information in the Data Stack

Explains how to use the REXX data stack for temporary storage, passing information, and managing buffers.

Chapter 12. Processing Data and Input/Output Processing

Covers dynamic REXX expression modification and processing data to/from data sets using EXECIO.

Chapter 13. Using REXX in TSO/E and Other MVS Address Spaces

Explains how to run REXX execs in TSO/E and non-TSO/E MVS address spaces and available services.

Part 3. Appendixes

Appendix A. Allocating Data Sets

Guides on creating and allocating data sets, including checklists for ISPF/PDF and ALLOCATE commands.

Appendix B. Specifying Alternate Libraries with the ALTLIB Command

Details using the ALTLIB command to specify and manage alternative libraries for implicit execution.

Appendix C. Comparisons Between CLIST and REXX

Compares REXX and CLIST languages, highlighting similarities and differences in features and capabilities.

Appendix D. Notices

Provides legal notices, warranty disclaimers, copyright, and trademark information.

Bibliography

TSO/E Publications

Lists IBM publications related to TSO/E, including administration, CLISTs, and general information.

Related Publications

Lists IBM publications related to z/OS MVS and ISPF, covering system programming and administration.

Index