PF Key Processing

CA IDMS DMLO allows commands or partial commands to be assigned to PF keys. This can greatly reduce the command data entry requirements during an CA IDMS DMLO session. PF keys assignments may be established in the following ways:

Your data administrator may assign default PF key values during product installation.
You can press a PF key (rather than the ENTER key) immediately after keying a command. This will assign the keyed command text to the PF key.
You can enter the SHOW PFKEYS command to display all PF key settings, and enter text directly on the screen.

PF key settings can be preserved as part of the session PROFILE.

The only formal restriction as to what text may be associated with a PF key is the restriction against using CLIST variable symbols (%1-%9) within the text. PF keys may contain EQUATE symbols and full or partial commands, and may incorporate variable symbols.

Length of the text associated with a PF key is initially set to the physical screen width. If a longer text area is required (probably in an LRF context), it may be established by keying in a long command on the command line and pressing the desired PF key. Available length will be expanded to the next higher multiple of screen width sufficient to contain the long text string. Once the text area has been expanded, you may use the PF Key Display screen to update whatever length has been allocated.

Text associated with a PF key is normally treated as though it had been keyed ahead of any command line text (unless the command line begins with an CA IDMS DML or CA IDMS DMLO verb, in which case the PF key is assigned to the command line text).

Note: For a detailed explanation of how the CA IDMS DMLO command processor uses PF key text, see Extended Command Processing and Command Processing Examples.