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MVS/Quick-Ref Overview  |
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| What is MVS/Quick-Ref?
MVS/Quick-Ref is Chicago-Soft's "pop-up" quick reference aid for ISPF and ROSCOE/ETSO users under the MVS operating system. The term "pop-up" in this context refers to MVS/Quick-Ref's ability to "pop-up" over the active ISPF application, give you a quick answer to an MVS-related question, then go away without affecting the active ISPF application. Why do I need MVS/Quick-Ref? It saves you time and money! You no longer need to stop work at your terminal to look up a message or abend code in a manual that's probably out of date. The most frequently needed MVS reference information is instantly displayed by MVS/Quick-Ref in a concise and easy-to-read format. What reference information is available? Explanatory and recommended action information for the following MVS-related areas is included: Plus message descriptions for more than 400 products from 50 major software vendors.
How is the MVS/Quick-Ref database organized? Low resource usage and lightning-fast response time are key features of MVS/Quick-Ref. Reference data is stored in a direct access file that's read using the EXCP access method. The file format used is proprietary and is fully compatible with IBM's System Managed Storage (SMS) facility. How much DASD space is needed for the reference database? Only about 775 3390 cylinders are needed to store over 14 million lines of reference information with more than 1,617,875 distinct, selectable items. Information in the data base is stored in a compressed format, gaining 57% DASD space savings over a non-compressed format. Using the selective install feature any unneeded portion of the data base can be discarded to save DASD. How long does it take to install MVS/Quick-Ref? Installation takes less than 2 hours by unloading six files from the distribution tape. A simple modification to the ISPF command table (ISPCMDS) makes MVS/Quick-Ref instantly available from any panel with two keystrokes. MVS/Quick-Ref does not execute APF authorized and uses no direct "hooks". Once installed, updates can be installed in about 15 minutes by unloading the new database. What other features does MVS/Quick-Ref offer? MVS/Quick-Ref contains a CUT and PASTE feature, a QPRINT command to print selected items to SYSOUT or a DASD file, a TEXTMARK feature to mark your place in an item and return directly to it later, a complete user data base feature you can use to store your own reference information, a SEARCH command used as an aid in locating specific words, a direct program interface, built-in security features, and support for batch execution. Left and right scrolling is now supported. How can MVS/Quick-Ref be used? When browsing the output from a batch job or the system log using SDSF, IOF, JESMASTER, SAR, $AVRS, (E)JES, OPS/MVS, FLASHER, PDF EDIT, BETA 92, PDF BROWSE or any other ISPF application, you can place the cursor on a message, press a PF key, and MVS/Quick-Ref will instantly pop-up on top of the current application, displaying a description for the message. Cryptic message or abend codes no longer have to be "show stoppers" - MVS/Quick-Ref's reference information will always include a recommended action to solve the problem. When editing a CLIST, program, or JCL under PDF EDIT, MVS/Quick-Ref is again just a keystroke away and provides a quick description for CLIST and REXX language elements, Assembler, PL/1, VS COBOL II and C language elements, and JCL or JECL keywords. You can use the CUT and PASTE feature to cut examples of programming language verbs or JCL keywords and then paste them directly into your data set, saving time and minimizing errors. If you can't find enough DASD free space, MVS/Quick-Ref will do it for you. You can request a free space display for one volume, a list of all volumes with similar Vol/Ser prefixes, all volumes in a particular unit name group, or all volumes mounted with a particular attribute. SMS and non-SMS volumes can also be reported if desired. All DASD space information can be sorted on any one of twelve data fields, and all information can be printed to SYSOUT or a DASD file. The User Data Base Facility lets you store local, unique reference text (or any text) in a user data base and then access it using the rapid access characteristics of the product. Information ideal for inclusion in your user data base could include local job class or SYSOUT class standards, local JCL standards, tape handling procedures and instructions, telephone number lists, local user abend code descriptions or any other information you need to maintain and access online quickly. What are MVS/Quick-Ref's System Requirements? MVS/Quick-Ref executes under z/OS, OS390, MVS/ESA, MVS/XA, or pre-XA systems. ISPF Version 2.1 or higher is required, or CA/ROSCOE Release 5.7 or higher. To use the cursor-driven invocation feature of MVS/Quick-Ref, TSO/E 2.1 is required. |
