What is TSO?

TSO (Time Sharing Option) is a component of IBM's mainframe operating system, z/OS (previously known as OS/390 and MVS). TSO provides an interactive interface for users to access system resources and execute commands.

TSO allows multiple users to access the mainframe system concurrently, with each user having their own session or "time slice" of CPU time. Users can access TSO through a terminal emulator or a 3270 terminal, and can use TSO commands to perform tasks such as submitting batch jobs, creating and editing datasets, and executing programs.

TSO interacts with a READY command prompt mode looks like similar to the windows command prompt.

What is TSO/E?

TSO/E (Time Sharing Option/Extensions) is a set of extensions to the original TSO. TSO/E is a base element of z/OS.

TSO also provides a powerful programming interface, known as the TSO/E Command Processor, which allows users to write code and automate tasks. Additionally, TSO supports a number of third-party software packages that can be used to extend its capabilities.

What is ISPF/PDF?

ISPF (Interactive System Productivity Facility) / PDF (Program Development Facility) is a menu-driven interface with a set of panels designed especially for user interaction with the z/OS system. The ISPF environment developed from traditional TSO. ISPF provides services, utilities, an editor, and ISPF applications to interact with the z/OS system using GUI.

ISPF / PDF is a group of panels that helps to manage libraries on MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage) systems. The ISPF user has full access to most of the z/OS system functions to the extent allowed by various security controls.

Difference between TSO and ISPF?

TSO	ISPF
TSO provides the ability to the user to login into the mainframe system.	ISPF is the component of the TSO.
TSO has READY command interface and menu-driven interface.	ISPF is the menu-driven interface of TSO.

What is TSO/ISPF?

The combination of TSO and ISPF is called TSO/ISPF.

Important TSO operations -

The TSO can handle the following operations -

1. Dataset management operations like creating a dataset, modifying a dataset, deleting a dataset, renaming a dataset, etc.
2. Program development operations like creating a program, compiling a program, saving a load module, executing a program, etc.
3. Batch Job operations like submitting a job, monitoring a job, viewing the job status, canceling a job execution, etc.

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