Navigating in FM/Db2

You navigate around FM/Db2 panels in the same way as any other panels under ISPF. That is, you launch processing panels from menu panels, by entering the appropriate menu option number on the command line. FM/Db2 uses a Primary Options Menu panel to provide access to processing panels that are related to a particular function or group of functions. In some cases, an option on the Primary Options menu leads to another menu panel, from which you can select the required processing panel.

To access a panel, choose one of the following methods:

  • Type the menu option number on the Command line and press Enter. Repeat for each nested menu until the required processing panel is displayed.
  • From the Primary Option Menu, type the complete menu path to the required panel, separating each menu level with a period, then press Enter. For example, entering 3.4 takes you directly to the Object List Utility panel.
  • Use "point-and-shoot" for fields on menu panels. To use this facility, place the cursor on the name of the menu option that is required, and press Enter.
Note: ISPF provides an "=" parameter that you can specify before an option selection. For example, =3.4. When supported, the "=" parameter enables direct navigation to the specified menu option from another unrelated option within an ISPF application.

The "=" parameter is not supported by FM/Db2.

To exit from a panel, choose one of the following methods:

  • Press the Exit function key (F3).
  • Type X on the command line and press Enter.
  • Type END on the command line and press Enter.

Many FM/Db2 panels have more information than can be seen in a single screen, particularly when you are running in 80x24 display. In this case, a More indicator is displayed near the upper right corner of the panel with a plus sign (+), a minus sign (-), or both.

Figure 1. Example panel showing "More" message
                     FM/Db2 Tutorial - Ed/Br Options
                                                                   More:   - +
   session are only presented to Db2 when an explicit save command is issued,
   or at the end of the edit session.

 Save data
   When this option is selected, all pending changes are submitted to Db2 for
   processing whenever the enter key is pressed (and no other operations are

A plus sign (+) adjacent to the word More indicates more information is available on a following panel. Press the NxtPage function key (F11) to display the next information panel.

A minus sign (-) adjacent to the word More indicates more information is available on a previous panel. Press the PrvPage function key (F10) to display the previous information panel.

To scroll down the panel, choose one of these methods:

  • Press the Forward function key (F8). This scrolls down one screenful of lines.
  • Enter FORWARD or DOWN on the command line. These commands scroll down one screenful of lines.
  • Enter BOTTOM on the command line. This takes you to the bottom of the panel.

To scroll up the panel, choose one of these methods:

  • Press the Backward function key (F7). This scrolls up one screenful of lines.
  • Enter BACKWARD or UP on the command line. These commands scroll up one screenful of lines.
  • Enter TOP on the command line. This takes you to the beginning of the panel.

Related references