Here are some basic tips on using the SDSF interface, updated and reprinted from
ispf4users.blogspot.com by permission. This IBM utility provides z/OS system equivalents of
Windows Task Manager and Printers, or UNIX/Linux ps, top, jobs, lpstat, and lpadmin. Monitor
processes in z/OS and z/OS UNIX System Services; manipulate JES input and output queues;
issue operator commands, and more.
There are four main options that every SDSF user can access:
DA – Display Active
I – JES Input queue
O – JES Output Queue
H – JES Held output queue
Most users will also have access to the ST (status) option which encompasses all four of
the basic display options.
Usage: ST or ST jobname
(jobname masking with an * is valid)
Displays are commonly filtered using the PREFIX or OWNER commands. The first is a
job name flilter while the latter filters based on the userid that submittted the job. These
settings become a part of the SDSF profile data stored on disk.
Usage: PRE or PRE jobname
(jobname masking with an * is valid)
Usage: OWNER or OWNER userid
(userid masking with an * is valid)
For temporary filtering use the S (select) command. You may filter by job name or, where
applicable, job number.
Usage: S * or S jobname
(jobname masking with an * is valid)
Use the command SET DISPLAY ON to display all active filters.
• The command SORT ? facilitates sorting by two columns.
• The command ARRANGE ? facilitates rearranging and resizing columns.
• Check out this video Navigating zOS SDSF – Show me the Max-RC!
• Line commands are used on the displays and can be blocked as they are on a DSLIST.
• The P (purge) command is used to delete outputs.
• Check out this video Block commands on the DSLIST screen