Displaying Host Files in Reflection for IBM File Transfer Dialog Box

  • 7021607
  • 26-May-1999
  • 01-Apr-2018

Environment

Reflection for IBM version 13.0 through 14.x
Reflection for the Multi-Host Enterprise, Standard Edition version 13.0 through 14.x
Reflection for the Multi-Host Enterprise, Professional Edition version 13.0 through 14.x
Reflection Suite for X version 13.0 through 14.x

Situation

This technical note provides information on using the Show host files feature to display a list of host files for downloading from your mainframe to your PC. Background and troubleshooting information are presented for both TSO and CMS systems.

Resolution

Using the Show Host Files Feature

The Show host files feature downloads host information as a file. This makes it possible to quickly retrieve all the host file names at once.

To use Show host files:

  1. Connect to your IBM host computer using Reflection.
  2. On the File menu, click Transfer.
  3. In the Transfer dialog box, click Setup. On the Protocol tab, verify or select the appropriate Protocol and Host system. Click OK.
  4. In the Transfer dialog box, click Show Host Files.

Using the Reflection Show Host Files Feature on CMS and TSO Systems

The process that Reflection uses to display a list of host files on the workstation differs between CMS and TSO systems.

CMS

On a CMS system, the Show host files button executes the LISTFILE * * A (EXEC command through the terminal session. The output of the LISTFILE command is then used to populate the Show Host Files list box with file names.

TSO

In a TSO system, the Show host files button executes the LISTCAT command. The output of the LISTCAT command is then used to populate the Show host files list box with file names.

Beginning in Reflection 13.0, you can view files on TSO hosts with no host configuration needed. Prior versions of Reflection required you to transfer two Attachmate-supplied host execs to TSO mainframes to support the Show Host Files button in the Transfer dialog box. These files (Wrqlds and Wrqlcat) are no longer needed.

Troubleshooting Show Host Files Problems

If clicking the Show host files button does not display the host file list, follow these troubleshooting procedures in the order they are presented.

Verify Your Host Connection

Verify that you are connected to the host and that the correct system (CMS or TSO) has been selected. Follow these steps to change the system type, if necessary:

  1. Click File Transfer on the Setup menu.
  2. Choose either CMS or TSO in the IND$FILE settings section. Click OK.

Verify That the Host Screen Can Accept Input

Verify that the host screen can accept and process command input. Not all host screens can accept commands. Being in native CMS or TSO mode is preferred, but you may also be in ISPF mode if you are in Option 6, the command screen. Some applications such as PROFS will also accept Reflection commands.

You can create a VBA macro that automatically navigates to a host screen to accept command input, and then executes the Show host files command. The macro also can display an informational message stating that the current screen cannot accept commands.

You can use the macro recorder to create the macro. After creating the macro, follow these steps to add it in the Host File List Macro settings.

  1. Click View Settings on the Setup menu.
  2. In the View Settings dialog box, click Host File List Macro.
  3. Enter the macro name in the Setting details text box, and then click OK.

The macro will run before the Show host files command is executed.

It may be necessary to stop Reflection from entering the IND$FILE command on the last unprotected field on the screen if that field is not the command input field. To do this, select View Settings and change Automatic Cursor Positioning to "No."

Verify the CMS Command

If you are on a CMS system and Reflection does not display the host files, verify that the CMS command can be run from a host prompt. Connect to your host and type the following command from a host prompt:

LISTF * * A (EXEC

If the command runs without generating an error, follow the steps below to verify that the syntax is correct in Reflection.

  1. Click View Settings on the Setup menu.
  2. In the View Settings dialog box, select CMS Host File List Command.
  3. In the Setting details field, verify that the CMS command appears as exactly as follows:
LISTFILE %s (EXEC
  1. Click OK.

If you receive an Unknown CP/CMS command error when attempting to run the CMS command from a host prompt, contact your system administrator for assistance.

Verify the TSO Command

If you are on a TSO System and Reflection does not display the host files, verify that the TSO command can be run from the host TSO READY prompt. Connect to your host and type the following command from the READY prompt:

LISTCAT

If you receive an error when attempting to run the TSO command from the TSO READY prompt, contact your system administrator for assistance.

Additional Information

Legacy KB ID

This document was originally published as Attachmate Technical Note 1139.