ETSO - Extended TSO

Enhanced Definition

ETSO, or Extended TSO, refers to the enhanced, full -screen, menu-driven interactive environment provided to z/OS users. It significantly extends the capabilities of the basic Time Sharing Option (TSO) by offering a more user-friendly interface for interacting with the operating system, utilities, and applications. While "ETSO" is an older term, it is largely synonymous with the functionality delivered by ISPF (Interactive System Productivity Facility). ETSO, or Extended TSO, is an enhancement to the standard TSO/E (Time Sharing Option/Extensions) environment in z/OS that provides a significantly larger private address space for interactive users. This allows TSO users to execute applications, utilities, and commands that require more virtual storage than the default TSO region size typically provides.

Key Characteristics

- Full-Screen Interface: Unlike traditional line-mode TSO, ETSO provides a character-based graphical user interface (GUI) experience, allowing users to view and interact with multiple lines of data simultaneously.
- Menu-Driven Navigation: Users navigate through a hierarchy of menus and panels, reducing the need to memorize complex commands and simplifying access to system functions.
- Integration with ISPF: The "extended" capabilities of TSO are primarily delivered by ISPF, which provides the framework for panel display, data editing, and dialog management.
- Access to System Utilities: Offers streamlined access to essential z/OS utilities for data set management (e.g., DSLIST), job submission and monitoring (e.g., SDSF), program development (e.g., EDIT), and more.
- Customization and Extensibility: System programmers and developers can customize ISPF panels, menus, and integrate custom applications using ISPF dialogs, CLISTs, and REXX execs.
- Context-Sensitive Help: Provides online help facilities to guide users through various functions and commands within the full-screen environment.

Use Cases

- Application Development: COBOL, PL/I, Assembler, and REXX developers use ETSO/ISPF for editing source code, compiling programs, linking modules, and submitting JCL for testing.
- System Administration and Operations: System programmers and operators utilize it for managing data sets, monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, and submitting operational jobs via SDSF.
- Data Management: Browsing, editing, and manipulating sequential files, PDS/PDSE members, and VSAM datasets using ISPF's various data utilities.
- Job Control and Monitoring: Creating, submitting, and monitoring the status of batch jobs (JCL) and viewing their output (SYSOUT) using integrated tools like SDSF.
- User Interface for Custom Applications: Many mainframe applications are built with ISPF dialogs, providing a consistent and familiar user interface within the ETSO environment for end-users.

Related Concepts

ETSO builds directly upon TSO (Time Sharing Option), which provides the fundamental interactive session capability on z/OS. The "extended" part is almost entirely provided by ISPF (Interactive System Productivity Facility), which is the software product that delivers the full -screen, menu-driven environment. Users interact with JCL (Job Control Language) by creating and editing it within ETSO/ISPF, and then submitting it for execution. Key utilities like SDSF (System Display and Search Facility) are integral components accessed through the ETSO/ISPF interface for job and system management.

Best Practices:

Master ISPF Primary and Line Commands: Learn and utilize ISPF's powerful primary commands (e.g., TSO, SPF, LOGOFF) and line commands (e.g., C for copy, M for move, D for delete) to efficiently navigate and manipulate data.
Customize ISPF Profile and Settings: Tailor your ISPF user profile, function keys, and panel layouts to optimize your personal workflow and productivity.
Leverage REXX and CLIST for Automation: Automate repetitive tasks, create custom utilities, and streamline complex operations by writing REXX execs or CLISTs within the ETSO/ISPF environment.
Understand Data Set Naming Conventions: Adhere to established data set naming standards to quickly locate, manage, and share files effectively within the ETSO environment.
Utilize SDSF for Job and System Monitoring: Regularly use SDSF, accessed via ETSO/ISPF, to monitor the status of submitted jobs, review job output, and inspect system resources for efficient operations and problem diagnosis.

The term "ETW - Event Tracing for Windows" is a technology specific to the Microsoft Windows operating system for logging kernel and application events.

As this glossary is strictly focused on MAINFRAME and z/OS technologies, and "Event Tracing for Windows" has no direct relevance or equivalent implementation within the IBM z/OS ecosystem, I cannot generate an entry for it within the defined scope. My expertise is limited to mainframe systems, z/OS, COBOL, JCL, and related enterprise computing concepts.