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Mainframe : The Complete TSO/ISPF from Beginner to Expert

Name: Mainframe : The Complete TSO/ISPF from Beginner to Expert
Rating: 4.6 (5880 reviews)

Best TSO/ISPF Course. TSO and ISPF commands are explained in detail. Simplified COBOL covered as bonus along with JCL.

Bestseller

Highest Rated

Created bySandeep Kumar

Last updated 7/2026

English

German [Auto],English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Master the TSO/ISPF commands on Mainframe to excel in your work and project
Students will be able to create basic COBOL program and JCL and perform all TSO/ISPF operations in them.
Perform all the major TSO/ISPF operations and line commands on COBOL Program
Reduce daily work by 20% by applying these TSO/ISPF commands
Write all TSO/ISPF commands on your mainframe server and use it in your project.
Manipulate Keys to display your own custom keys
Relation between TSO and ISPF and create PS and PDS file
Change the settings in your ISPF screen
Understand library inside utilities
Effortlessly master dataset utilities
Explore deep into foreground and batch processing
Perform major operations inside SPOOL - SDSF
Advanced TSO/ISPF options - Advanced CREATE, different ways to resolve space issue, scrolling, auto fill and so on
Guided Illustration of basic COBOL Program is covered
Basic Knowledge on VSAM is covered as well
The Course also covers DB2 operations like DDL and DML as bonus lectures

Course content

19 sections • 115 lectures • 10h 27m total length

Welcome to this course0:51
I want to thank all of you to enroll for this course on 'Master TSO/ISPF on mainframe from scratch to advanced level. This is a complete TSO/ISPF training on IBM mainframe.
Create a goal Plan for this Course1:19

What are Mainframe Computers?8:33
By the end of this lesson, Students will be able to understand what exactly is a Mainframe and when Mainframe Computers are used
Which types of Companies uses Mainframe6:43
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to understand the types of organizations which uses Mainframe. Students will also understand why these companies uses Mainframe.
Understand background connection between Local Operating system and Mainframe9:15
By the end of this lesson, students will understand the process background idea on how to connect to Mainframe from our local operating system.
Let us connect to MVS 3.8 on our Local computer12:32
By the end of this section, students will be able to connect to the older version of Mainframe computer which is MVS 3.8J
Connect to Modern Mainframe server using an IP address other than localhost3:11
By the End of this lesson, students will be able to log on to a modern mainframe server using a proper IP address other than localhost. Sometimes, students might rent Mainframe server access and this lesson shows them on how to connect to that IP address.
About Mainframe id0:41
Log on to ISPF from the READY Prompt1:43
Log in with your user ID and password at the ready prompt, then type ISPF to enter the ISPF panel; log off to exit when finished.
How to Select ISPF and How to log off0:12
Operating systems on Mainframe1:59
This section provides a detailed overview to mainframe professionals about various operating systems that can be used in mainframe
Programming Languages that can be used on Mainframe1:48
Thia section explains about various programming language that can be used to interact with mainframe.They vary from c,c++, Java, pli, Cobol, assemblers and so on
Introduction on TSO/ISPF3:07
TSO is called as Time sharing option and ISPF is called as Interactive System Productivity Facility.
What is a job2:10
Sequence of steps to perform a set of tasks is called a job. In mainframe, job is performed by JCL which is Job control language.once a jcl is run, the result of the job can be seen in spool(simultaneous peripheral operations online)

ISPF Primary option Menu8:34
Explore the ISPF primary option menu on the mainframe, learn how PDS and PS organize data, and create, view, edit, and manage files using options 3 and 4.
Details about PS and PDS11:17
Learn to create PS and PDS files in ISPF, choosing space units, primary and secondary quantities, and record formats to allocate PS, PDS, or PDSE datasets.
Basic commands to start with8:11
Master ISPF basics: rename screens with SCRNAME, open utilities, list datasets starting with MATEKS.*, and view, browse, or edit files using V, B, E, and F7/F8 navigation.

Option 0 - To change the Settings4:38
Change settings in option 0 by toggling the command line position between top and bottom, adjusting tab behavior to action bar choices and point-and-shoot fields for faster navigation.
Option 1 - 12.Display Source Data or Listings1:59
Option 2 - Use option 2 to edit a file2:01
Use option 2 in the ISPF primary options menu to edit a file, switch to edit mode, insert a line, save the data set, and edit a PDS member.
Option 3.1 - Library inside utilities6:49
Option 3.2 - Data set utilities6:52
Explore data set utilities in option 2 of ISPF, including allocate, rename, catalog, uncatalog, and VSAM operations, with hands-on steps for define and manage VSAM clusters.
Option 3.3 - MOVE/COPY4:33
Option 3.4 - Dslist3:16
How to refer personal data set list1:43
Explore how to use the refresh list, or RDF list, in TSO/ISPF to view the current and personal dataset lists, and recall the last 30 accessed datasets with F8.
Find the files in a faster way7:42
Option 3.5 - Reset Statistics2:37
Learn to reset or delete ISPF statistics using option 5, r, and d, and refresh to verify changes on specific files and pds members like matesks.cics.srclib.copy.
Option 3.12 and 3.13 - SuperC and SuperCE4:29
Option 3.14 - Search-For1:29
Option 3.15 - Search-ForE - Extended Searchfor utility1:40
Option 15 teaches the extended searchfor utility in the TSO/ISPF search facility, showing how to search datasets like mateks for single or multiword strings using the utility selection panel.
Option 4 - Foreground processing2:31
Option 5 - Batch Processing3:32
Learn how option5 enables batch processing in ISPF by submitting a batch job via JCL, freeing the terminal while the job runs and viewing output in the spool.
Option 15 - DB2 V105:16
Option 'S' - SDSF8:50
Option S shows how SDSF displays spool status, allows submitting JCL with SUB, viewing job status with ST, and exploring input queue and output queue with sorting features in ISPF.
Spool - Organizing various fields7:48
Learn to organize ISPF spool columns by moving items with A/B, adjust column widths, and back up job details to files using explicit entries and print options.
Filter jobs4:33
Learn how to filter jobs in the spool using TSO/ISPF, including filtering by append, JCL errors, and return codes, plus how to switch filtering off.
Let us take a Quiz

TSO commands - Unit 16:39
Allocate datasets with space, tracks, 80-byte record length, and fixed block format to create ps and pds with catalog entries. Browse and edit datasets; copy, cut, and paste records.
TSO commands - Unit 210:34
Explore tso commands to manage datasets directly, using ds list, listds, listcat, and pds. Create keylists, customize keys, and use reflist, refactd, and refopend to open, save, or edit datasets.

Important Line commands5:18
Sorting members inside a PDS0:49
Locate, Refresh and Reset1:44
How to play with PROFILE, NUMBER and UNNUM commands5:47
Usage of RECOVERY, CANCEL, END and CAPS3:27
Learn how recovery preserves sessions, how cancel discards edits, how end saves based on auto-save, and how caps on or off controls character case in edits.
Copy and Move operations - CUT, PASTE, COPY, MOVE6:40
Advanced use of CUT6:50
EXCLUDE command1:50
Master the ISPF Exclude command to hide lines by matching strings, learn practical examples with sysout, case sensitivity for capital and lowercase letters, and how to reset the view.
INSERT, DELETE and REPEAT2:39
Let us take a Quiz
Find and Change commands7:21
This section explains how we can find a set of strings and can be replaced by some other strings also. The strings can be any stings like words, characters, null value and so on.
How to repeat commands at the command line2:53
Learn to repeat commands at the command line by using an ampersand to preserve the command, replace text with find and change, and clear the line with end or delete.
Lets take a Quiz

ADVANCED options for moving LEFT and RIGHT2:54
Use the keys F7/F8/TOP/BOTTOM/F10/F11 effectively. You can give a number followed by the key to perform the operation as well. Want to see how, please refer the video
Advanced usage of CREATE command2:41
Various ways of implementing the CREATE command is shown here.
Resolving space issue - Part 15:02
Use CREATE command to resolve the space issue. We can also use CUT/PASTE to resolve it based on your personal choice. While my personal choice is always to compress a dataset to resolve the space issue. We will cover that in next section
Resolving space issue - Part 21:19
To compress a PDS - Give 'Z' in front of the PDS
Scrolling options5:37
SCROLLING OPTIONS
=================

CSR - Based on current cursor position. The line or column indicated by the cursor is moved to the top, bottom, left margin, or right margin   of the screen, depending upon which scrolling command is used.

PAGE- scrolling based on one full page. One page is full login screen which is available to the user. Functional keys are not part of the page

DATA- Scroling based on One line less than page

HALF- Scrolling half of page. If we have 15 lines on a page and the scrolling option is set to 'HALF', once you press F8, 8th Line will be at   the top. so it is upper interger number of the half value. In this case, it is 15/2 = 7.5. The upper integer value is 8 for this.
AUTOFILL in Mainframe2:09
When you are browsing Internet, we have an option called autofill or autocomplete which means if you just type 'goo', automatically it will show 'Google.com'. If you type 'face', the browser shows 'facebook' and so on. so when we enter few letters in the address bar and the browser auto completes it with the closest guess. We have the similar option on Mainframe as well. Just type 'KEYS' and set any unused key or the key of your preference as 'AUTOTYPE'. Save and exit.
Must know TSO Line commands - added more1:25
I added a list of TSO commands. It includes few commands which we already discussed and few are added later.
Who is using the dataset?7:56
Identify who is editing a dataset in ISPF by pressing F1, including F1 twice, then use the ISPF option 6 to message the owner or operator.
Start and Split4:27
Learn how to manage multiple ISPF screens in the primary option menu, using start and split commands, F2 for split, and F3 or equals X to navigate.
Find a member in PDS's3:46
Learn how to locate a PDS member by name using the member command, even with thousands of files, by searching across PDSs with wildcard matrix.*.
Retrieving datasets one by one1:55
Set the n retrieve command to a function key (F2) to list datasets without typing names, showing each press updates the dataset list and saves time.
Short trick on Keys10:58
Learn to use ISPF keys to edit multiple PDS members quickly by mapping unused F-keys (F13–F20) to reset, save, and refresh, and chain commands with semicolons.
Alter the Stats4:10
Learn to reset or delete ISPF statistics for a member in a PDS, using the G command to reset and choose delete, with optional new user ID like mate MK.
Lets us take a Quiz
An important note about ZOS2:07
By the end of this article, students will understand that Z/OS has a copyright of IBM and the next lesson is for those students who have ZOS in their office or they purchased it somehow(though it is very rare due to its high cost).
Lets connect to Mainframe using Hercules Emulator14:04
In this section, students will be able to connect to Mainframe server from PC using Hercules emulator.
Congratulations!!!!!0:38

Introduction of COBOL2:36
Explore COBOL, the common business-oriented language created by the CODASYLE Committee in 1959, its capacity for large data volumes, ease of understanding, self-documenting nature, and ANSI improvements to 1985.
History and Versions of COBOL3:28
Structure of a COBOL Program8:11
Coding Rules in COBOL6:28
Explore COBOL coding rules, including sequence number area, indicator column for comments or debugging, and area a (8–11) for divisions, sections, and paragraphs, with area b (12–72) for statements.
DIVISIONS in COBOL12:33

Variables, Literals and Figurative Constants7:37
Explore how variables hold values and identify memory locations, and differentiate numeric and alphanumeric literals. Learn about figurative constants like zero, spaces, high-value, and low-value in COBOL.
Data Types in COBOL17:31
Lets understand about the General Level Numbers in COBOL4:39
Understand COBOL level concepts, from root 01 level to group and elementary items, with examples like emp-id and emp-record, and note general levels 01–49 and special levels 66, 77, 88.
Advance(Special) Level Numbers3:46
Explore a program with various level numbers in Detail10:49
Explore how COBOL uses level numbers to structure data, with 01 groups, 05 entries, and 66/77 clauses, featuring ws-display, picture clauses, and conditional department values.

Requirements

You should have a PC with internet connection
It is ideal to have a mainframe id for this course. I will also show you a free option which has certain limitation.
No Previous programming language is required

Description

"Welcome to the Most In-Depth and Quality Content Course of TSO/ISPF from a Real Expert with more than 15 years of Experience."

The Course is full of quality content that you will not find anywhere on the Internet
Learn from an Expert who has a passion for training
The Course covers Real Training with the aim to provide knowledge that is similar to corporate training.

===========================================================================================

Some of the Reviews from my students!!!!

"Sandeep is a great Instructor and the course gives a great beginning to my career on mainframes."

"I have zero experience on Mainframe. This Course starts with basics and provides relevant examples which i can apply straight away in my job. Thanks for creating such a great Course. Looking forward to other Courses from you."

"EI instructor conoce mucho acerca del tema, no es ningún improvisado. La manera de abordar los temas totalmente puntuales. Personalmente soy muy Exquisito con cursos Online y este curso lo considero muy bueno. Sugiero mejorar los subtítulos y mejorar la dicción (si se le entiende pero podría mejorar). Continuare con JCL . Saludos"

Join this course which is the best TSO/ISPF course on UDEMY. I will Code all the TSO/ISPF commands along the way!!!

"This the Best Seller Course on Udemy"

“There’s a reason this course is a bestseller and highest rated on Udemy...”

Want to begin your career on Mainframe with no previous coding experience and are confused on joining which course on TSO/ISPF to understand from the basics to the advanced level?

You have come to the right place. This is the most complete and in-depth Course on TSO/ISPF considered in UDEMY. If you do not believe me, Please have a look at the Course content carefully and ask a few questions from yourself.

Does a real-time expert teach the Course? I have more than 15 years of experience as an Instructor and more than 10 years of experience on Mainframe.I firmly believe that if an Instructor does not have good experience, he/she will flood the course with poor content.
Is the Course content clear and Precise? I bet you will not get better Course content than this. Please have a look at all the courses and choose wisely.
Will the Course be In-depth? The Course covers In-Depth knowledge of TSO/ISPF. The amount of Knowledge that is covered in this course is great.
How is the quality of the Content? In Mainframes, there is a lot of low-quality content which is spread throughout the internet. Be wise in choosing the course which has the best content and is presented in a good way to provide maximum output.
The Course assumes no prior knowledge of Mainframes and teaches you from absolute beginners.
Most of my students personally message me about their success with this Course. One of my students even surprised me by saying - After taking up this Course, I knew even more TSO/ISPF command than my seniors.
Once you Enroll for this Course, you get lifetime access to this course and you will get all the future updates. you also get a Certification of Completion once you complete the Course.

Captions

The Course has the most accurate Captions. Have a look.

Do you want to start on Mainframe but have no experience with Mainframes?

If you have some prior knowledge of Mainframes or if you are a complete fresher, you are at the right place. The Course teaches you to complete TSO/ISPF right from Scratch to an Advanced level. The course goes one level up and provides a basic introduction to COBOL, JCL, VSAM, and DB2

What makes this Course unique and a Best Seller?

Well, the course has everything you need to master TSO/ISPF commands. If you want to build a career in Mainframe, TSO/ISPF is a 'MUST HAVE' skill and this is the starting point of Mainframe. The Course gives you a path to learn COBOL, JCL, VSAM, and DB2 as well.

There’s no risk involved in taking this Course!

This course comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I am sure that this is the best course on TSO/ISPF and you can compare the content which is provided in this course against any TSO/ISPF Course I guarantee you that you will not get such good structured content anywhere. Still, if you are not completely satisfied with the course, please let us know and we will provide a refund without asking any questions.

What if you are stuck?

I personally answer all the questions which are asked here. If you are stuck anywhere, ask a question or you can message me directly and I will answer all your doubts.

Are you getting updated content?

Yes, I keep updating the content always to make sure, I provide all the information to my students.

Once you enroll for this course-

1) Learn how to connect to the Mainframe

2) Learn more than 100 TSO/ISPF commands with real-time examples.

3) Course empowers students to learn COBOL and JCL as well.

4) Basic COBOL, JCL, VSAM, and DB2 training is provided as a supplementary topics to all my students.

5) Students will be able to perform TSO/ISPF operations by creating a COBOL and JCL.

6) Create a strong knowledge base on TSO/ISPF and apply it to your project.

7) Think about when you need to apply a particular TSO/ISPF command.

8) Practice all major Line commands in a PDS or PS

9) Create a PS and PDS file.

10) Build your own set of keys

11) You will be able to perform most of the TSO/ISPF operations inside a file

12) Save at least 20% of the daily time which you consume to perform TSO/ISPF operations.

Note:

To understand the complete Mainframe, a professional must have TSO/ISPF skills on the Mainframe server

Who this course is for:

Anyone who wants to master TSO/ISPF can take up this course. This teaches TSO/ISPF from Scratch to Advanced level
The Course primarily focuses on TSO/ISPF but supplementary information is provided on COBOL and JCL to make sure that students are able to create COBOL and JCL and perform TSO/ISPF operations.
Anyone who wants to understand how to create a COBOL Program can attend this course
Anyone who wants to understand about JCL and want to build their own JCL can attend this course.
If you have knowledge on Mainframe then it will be beneficial but if you don't know what are Mainframe, i have explained about mainframes at the beginning of the course
Be ready to practice all TSO and ISPF commands while i show it to you
When starting to learn Mainframe, TSO/ISPF is the first step

Mainframe : The Complete TSO/ISPF from Beginner to Expert

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to the Course2 lectures • 2min

What are Mainframes and how to connect to a Mainframe12 lectures • 52min

Lets Start with Basics3 lectures • 28min

Lets master the various Options in ISPF Primary option Menu19 lectures • 1hr 22min

Master important TSO command in 20 minutes2 lectures • 17min

Perform basic and advanced TSO/ISPF operations around a program11 lectures • 45min

Advanced TSO/ISPF options16 lectures • 1hr 11min

Extras- Lets Explore COBOL5 lectures • 33min

Extras - Variables, Literals, Figurative Constants, Data Types and more5 lectures • 44min

Extras- SPOOL, DISPLAY, MOVE, ACCEPT and Creation of COBOL Program and JCL4 lectures • 30min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: