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HP TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS
User's Guide


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The first use of PRINT in a given run of TN3270 creates a new version of the output file. Successive uses of PRINT in the same program cause the screen contents to append to the existing file. If the output is directed to a printer, each use of PRINT creates a separate entry in the printer queue. If the printer is a spooled printer, the output is released for printing immediately.

To specify where to direct the output file, use the command qualifier /PRINTER=file. The SET FIL function allows you to change the name of the output file each time you invoke the PRINT function.

RECORD
VT100: EXT + L VT200: EXT + Insert Here
DEFINE_KEY Function: RECORD

Saves a keystroke sequence on a specific PF key. Invoke the RECORD function with the appropriate key sequence, press the PF key as prompted, enter the keystroke sequence, and then invoke the RECORD function again. You can save a maximum number of 127 keystrokes on each PF key. If the status display is enabled when you use the RECORD function, the letter R appears on the status line.

To recall the keystroke sequence, use the PLAY function. To cancel the RECORD function, use the DV CNCL function. To erase all previously recorded key sequences, use the ER INP function.

REFR (refresh)
VT100: Ctrl/W VT200: Ctrl/W or F20
DEFINE_KEY Function: REFRESH

Removes TN3270 error messages, operating system messages, or other messages that appear on your screen. This key function deletes extraneous characters from your screen and redisplays the fields and data that were on the screen before the interruption.

This function does not transmit or receive data from the remote host. It is a local OpenVMS function.

RESET
VT100: KP0 VT200: KP0
DEFINE_KEY Function: RESET

Returns the keyboard to normal input mode from insert mode. Also, the RESET function returns the keyboard to your control after it locks when you try to enter data in to a protected or a full field, or when you try to enter the wrong type of data in a field.

Invoking RESET turns off the Inhib indicator. The cursor remains where it is and the screen remains unchanged.

SELECT
VT100: EXT + K VT200: Select
DEFINE_KEY Function: SELECT

Lets you choose items from a menu, table, or list and then notify the program of your selection. Use the arrow keys to position the cursor on the field designator character, then use the SELECT function. For more information on using SELECT, refer to the user's guide of the remote application.

SET FIL (set print file)
VT100: EXT + F or Ctrl/F VT200: EXT + F11
DEFINE_KEY Function: SET_PRINTFILE

Lets you change the name of the file or device that receives output each time you invoke the PRINT function. After you invoke SET FIL, you are prompted for the name of a new output device, emulating the remote host's IDENT function.

Note that if you specify the same name that is already in use, subsequent PRINT operations direct output to a new version of the same file.

SHO MSG
VT100: EXT + G VT200: EXT + F14
DEFINE_KEY Function: SHOW_MESSAGE

Displays the broadcast messages that have been posted on a separate screen. If the status line is enabled, the indicator Msg appears on the status line. If you do not read the messages before they fill up the screen, the messages begin to scroll up out of view and you can no longer read them. These broadcast messages are not saved after you either read them or exit TN3270.

SPAWN
VT100: EXT + D VT200: Find
DEFINE_KEY Function: SPAWN

Creates a subprocess under the current process. Use the LOGOUT command to terminate the subprocess. Because a tree of subprocesses can be established using the SPAWN function, you must be careful when terminating any process in the tree. When a process is terminated, all subprocesses below that point in the tree are terminated automatically.

When you create a subprocess, you can specify an optional command string. The command string is executed within the created subprocess, and the subprocess terminates upon completion of the command.

STATUS
VT100: EXT + S VT200: F17
DEFINE_KEY Function: STATUS

Lets you enable and disable the display of status information.

When you enable STATUS, the last line on your screen is painted over with a reverse video strip. This line may conceal remote host system or application information. If this occurs, the word Hidden appears in the status line.

You can disable the status display by using the STATUS function again.

SYS REQ (system request)
VT100: EXT + R VT200: EXT + F19
DEFINE_KEY Function: SYS_REQUEST

Lets you shift between the application program (the LU-LU session) and the control program (the SSCP-LU session). If the status display is enabled, the Appl or SSCP indicator appears on the status line to indicate the type of session. Appl appears when you are in an LU-LU session, and SSCP appears when you are in the SSCP-LU session.

The screen is refreshed when you use the SYS REQ function.

Tab (Right arrow |)
VT100: Tab VT200: Tab
DEFINE_KEY Function: TAB

Moves the cursor to the first character location of the next unprotected field on your screen. If the screen has no fields, the Right arrow function moves the cursor to the first location on the screen.

If the cursor is within the last unprotected field on the screen, the cursor moves to the first position of the first unprotected field on the screen.

Vertical Control (Up arrow and Down arrow)
VT100: Up arrow or Down arrow VT200: Up arrow or Down arrow
DEFINE_KEY Function: UP, UP_NOWRAP, DOWN, or DOWN_NOWRAP

Moves the cursor vertically on your screen without altering the data you have already entered. Note the following about the cursor behavior:

4.12.8.1 Associated Documentation

For additional information about TN3270 key functions, see the following IBM documents:

4.12.9 Redefining Your Keyboard

You can reassign functions and keys.

4.12.9.1 Functions You Can Redefine

You can redefine the following functions:

4.12.9.2 Keys You Can Define

The keys you can define are listed in Table 4-6.

Table 4-6 Definable Keys for TN3270
Type of Key Key Name
Function keys
(VT100 and VT200)
PF1 through PF4
   
Application keys
(VT100 and VT200)
KP0 through KP9
ENTER
MINUS
COMMA
PERIOD
   
Top-row function keys
(VT200)
F6 through F20
HELP (F15)
DO (F16)
   
Editing keypad (E1 through E6)
(VT200)
FIND (E1)
INSERT_HERE (E2)
REMOVE (E3)
SELECT (E4)
PREV_SCREEN (E5)
NEXT_SCREEN (E6)
   
Cursor keys
(VT100 and VT200)
UP
DOWN
LEFT
RIGHT
   
Control keys
(VT100 and VT200)
Ctrl/A through Ctrl/Z, including:

Ctrl/H (BS)
Ctrl/I (HT)
Ctrl/J (LF)
Ctrl/M (CR)

Excluding:

Ctrl/Y---Interrupt
Ctrl/C---Cancel/interrupt
Ctrl/O---Output off/on
Ctrl/S---Suspend output
Ctrl/Q---Resume output

4.12.9.3 Keys You Cannot Define

You cannot redefine the following reserved keys:

4.12.9.4 Redefining Keys

To redefine a keyboard key, use either of the following methods:

The following example establishes a TELNET/TN3270 connection to host JUNCO. By default, the terminal functions as if it were an IBM-3278-2 model terminal. It uses your customized keyboard definition file NEW_KEYS.DAT.


$ TN3270 JUNCO /KEY_DEFINITION=NEW_KEYS.DAT 

4.12.9.5 Creating a Key Definition File

Use the DEFINE/KEY and DELETE/KEY statements to create your own key definition file, as described in the following sections.

DEFINE/KEY Statement

The DEFINE/KEY statement assigns a new function to a particular key. Use the following syntax for the statement:


DEFINE/KEY [/STATE=EXTEND] key_name function 
/STATE Optional. Default: nonextend mode.
Redefines the key in extend mode.
key_name Standard key name.
function TN3270 function you want mapped to this key.

You can define most of the named keys both in normal (nonextend) mode and in extend mode.

You can define the control keys (and the synonyms for them) in normal mode only. Do not specify the qualifier /STATE=EXTEND.

The following example assigns the EXIT function to the key sequence EXT + Z :


$ DEFINE/KEY/STATE=EXTEND "Z" EXIT 

DELETE/KEY Statement

The DELETE/KEY statement removes the function assigned to a particular key. Use the following format:


DELETE/KEY [/STATE=EXTEND] key_name 
/STATE Optional. Default: nonextend mode. Deletes the key in extend mode.
key_name Standard key name.

Example:

The following example removes the default value of EXIT from Ctrl/Z.


$ DELETE/KEY [Ctrl/Z] 

Key Definition File: Example

By default, TN3270 maps 3270 functions to the numeric keypad.

The following example shows key definition statements in a key definition file. The definitions restore the numeric keypad on a VT220 keyboard.


DEFINE/KEY     KP0 "0" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP1 "1" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP2 "2" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP3 "3" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP4 "4" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP5 "5" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP6 "6" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP7 "7" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP8 "8" 
DEFINE/KEY     KP9 "9" 
DEFINE/KEY     period "." 
DEFINE/KEY     comma "," 
DEFINE/KEY     minus "-" 
DEFINE/KEY     Select extend 
DEFINE/KEY     Prev_screen reset 

This example restores the key normally associated with the EXT function (KP.) as the keypad decimal point. When you assign a key another function, you remove its default value. Therefore, because some TN3270 functions rely on an EXT function, the EXT function is defined to correspond to the Select key. This example also restores the key normally associated with the RESET function (KP0) as the keypad 0 key. The example then defines the RESET function to correspond to the Prev Screen key.

4.12.9.5.1 Interactive Definitions: DEF KEY Function

Use the DEF KEY function to define or redefine a key interactively. Your new definition exists until you log out from the remote host or disconnect from it.

When you invoke the DEF KEY function, TN3270 displays a prompt in the status line at the bottom of your screen.

Example:

The following example shows the use of DEF KEY to define a key. You invoke the DEF KEY function by entering the Ctrl/K sequence, after which you are prompted for the key you want to define and the function to assign to that key.


[Ctrl/K] 
Press the key that you want to define: 
 
Enter the function name or quoted character: 

You can also use DEF KEY to remove an assigned function. A null reply to the following prompt removes the definition currently in effect for that key:


Enter the function name or quoted character: 

What you enter during the DEF KEY dialog is subject to translation from the National Character Set to the DMCS.

You cannot redefine a key that exists on your terminal if it lacks a DMCS equivalent.

4.12.9.6 TN3270 Problem Solving

During a TELNET session in which you have invoked TN3270, you might experience the following problems:

Problem

Solution for a VT100-Series Terminal

Use Set-Up mode to verify that your terminal is in ANSI mode. Enter the following command:


$ SET TERMINAL /INQUIRE 

Solution for a VT200-Series Terminal or a Terminal Connected to Either a Personal Computer or a Workstation

  1. Use Set-Up mode to verify that your terminal is:
  2. Check the Communications Menu:
    The terminal communications line must be set for 8-bit characters. To check, enter the following command:


    $ SET TERMINAL /INQUIRE 
    

Solution for a Terminal with a National Language Keyboard

Ensure that your terminal is set up to correspond to your keyboard.

Problem

You receive a message indicating that the screen size (or the alternate screen size) specified by the remote host is too big.

Solution

Use Set-Up mode to change to a valid screen size (see Section 4.12.1).

Problem

You try to use the RECORD or PLAY function, but you get an error message indicating that you have a bad key-sequence file.

Solution

The file that stores the recorded key sequence is incompatible with the current version of the software or is corrupted.

Ask your system manager to do either of the following:

4.12.10 Debugging Application Programs Using the IBM 3270 Model Terminal Emulator

Visible attribute mode provides a way to debug application programs. After you use the DSP ATT (display attributes) function to enable visible attribute mode, all attribute characters are visible. Attribute characters are characters that appear at the start of a field to indicate the following information:

The following information shows:

4.12.10.1 Entering and Exiting Visible Attribute Mode

The displays described in this section rely on your terminal's ability to produce reverse video and bold characters.

Invoking the DSP ATT function toggles in and out of visible attribute mode.

4.12.10.2 Visible Attribute Mode Displays

The attribute characters are displayed in reverse video, bold symbols. Attribute characters indicating numeric fields are also underlined. All other characters are displayed normally. Table 4-7 lists the attribute characters and their meanings.

Table 4-7 Displays in Visible Attribute Mode
Character Meaning
n Unprotected field with normal intensity follows.
N Protected field with normal intensity follows.
d Following unprotected field is light-pen-detectable.
D Following protected field is light-pen-detectable.
h Following unprotected field has high intensity.
H Following protected field has high intensity.
i Unprotected nondisplay field follows.
I Protected nondisplay field follows.


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