Software User's Guide
The SPS/VOS Security Shell (VSS)

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The sps_vss.pm program
  3. The Main Screen
  4. Working with processes
  5. Shorthand Requests
    1. h-help
    2. t-top,goto_first_page
    3. b-bottom,goto_last_page
    4. u-up,move_up_directory
    5. p-process,start_a_process
    6. i-info,info_mode_switch
    7. a-auto,auto_mode_switch
    8. d-deltas,deltas_mode_switch
    9. +Next disk
    10. -Prev disk
    11. g-global,global_command
    12. o-out_file,display_output
    13. s-save,save_path_name
    14. e-expand,expand_path
    15. *-all,change_to_all
    16. c-clean,clean_operation_codes
    17. c-configure,cofigure_sps
    18. a-abbrev.,add_abbrev
    19. p-print,print_screen
    20. t-tree,directory_tree
    21. r-ready,ready_mode
    22. E-error,display_syserr_log
    23. #-Calendar,sps_calendar
    24. CANCEL-KEY
  6. Directory Navigation
    1. Move Up/Down
    2. Cycle / Cycle-Back
    3. Using Saved Paths
    4. The Directory Tree
  7. Executing Commands
  8. Internal Commands
    1. > - Select Directory
    2. * - Generic Command
    3. x - Execute Command
    4. xf - Execute Command with -form
    5. ? - Where Command
    6. v-Browse Command
    7. s-Stop Process
    8. deb-Debug Process
    9. p - Process Priority
  9. The Command Line
  10. The Global Command
  11. Programmed Function keys
  12. Starting a Sub-process
  13. System Configuration
    1. Function Keys
    2. Omit Files Star Names
    3. Internal Commands

Introduction

The SPS/VOS Security Shell eliminates unrestricted access to VOS and greatly enhances operators' and developers' productivity. Any operator, even with no Stratus experience, can become proficient and operate the system safely. The SPS/Security Shell is an indispensable environment for any mainframe trained personnel.

Features

The sps_vss.pm program

sps_vss.pm

Purpose

The command sps_vss.pm initiates and opens an SPS session. When the user calls SPS for the first time, SPS will start the session by selecting all the files in the user's current directory. SPS will then display the Main Screen.

The program has two modes of operations called Ready & Shell. The user can easily switch between the two modes and out to the VOS command level as follows:

Ready Mode		Shell Mode		VOS
Display-Form  
Key	        ------------>

Type "shell",
Enter-Key       ------------>

Type "exit",
Enter-Key       ----------------------------------->

                      <------------	Shorthand-r 
                      Cancel-Key ------------>

CRT Form

------------------------------ SPS/VSS -----------------------------
 Path:            
 Type:     Files
 -sort:    name
 -profile: default
 -report

Lineal Form

sps_vss.pm  [Path]  [Type] [-sort]  [-profile]  [-report]

Arguments

Path/Match/User

When displaying directories, files or links, SPS uses this parameter as a star-name (e.g. *.pl1). When displaying commands, include files or object modules, SPS uses this parameter as a match field. When displaying processes, SPS uses this parameter as a user_name mask (e.g. *.SysAdmin).

Type

The type of objects VSS should display:

In the case of command, includes, and object files, SPS will scan your library paths, find the object and display the objects' full path name. You can determine which include files your compiler picks-up or which objects are used by the bind command. These functions provide a faster and easier way of executing the VOS 'help -match and where_command commands. They provide a way of locating include files and object modules. SPS will scan all your library paths and will display all the files that match your Match string. You can then issue commands or ask SPS to give you the full path name of the object. For more information see the Where Command Internal Command.

Select the required library path by cycling the Type field to Objects, Commands or Includes. The path name field will now be treated as a match string that SPS will use to extract the relevant files from your library paths. This works exactly like the -match parameter for the VOS help command.

When extracting commands (Type field = Commands), SPS will retrieve all internal commands that match your string as well as external commands.

-sort

An option to sort the objects before listing them:

-omit

A yes/no option. When set, (yes) SPS will activate the Omit function in which some elements will not be displayed on the screen. This is based on the user's setup. This feature allows the user to exclude files such as *.backup and *.out from any listings. For more detail see VS Configuration.

-profile

The name of the Profile record as it appears in the sps_vcs configuration table.

-report

The name of the pre-defined report. See vcs_reports.table configuration table.

The Main Screen

Listing directories:

Listing *table files:

Listing *table files with Info-Mode":

The directory tree structure:

Working with processes

List-Users sorted by CPU Usage:

List-Users sorted by Page-Faults

List-Users sorted by Disk-Writes

Shorthand Requests

The user executes Shorthand Requests by pressing the Shorthand-Key and then the letter key associated with the request. The following is the list of valid requests.

h-
help

 SPS displays the Help screen, to return the Main Screen, press Cancel.

t-top,
goto_first_
page

 When the display indicates that more than one page was found, this request will position the screen on the first page.

b-bottom,
goto_last_
page

 When the display indicates that more than one page was found, this request will position the screen on the last page available.

u-up,
move_up_
directory

 This request will move the current directory one level up. You can use this function again to continue moving up the directory tree. The request will result in the following: The path name will be changed to the directory name which is in the next upper level of the hierarchy.

p-process,
start_a_
process

 When the user executes this request, VS will build a temporary command macro including all the commands typed in the operations codes area and in the command line and start the command macro as a subprocess. VS checks the command status after every step. If any step fails, VS will notify the user by sending an error message to the terminal's 25th line identifying the command that failed and a system error message.

i-info,
info_mode_
switch

 A toggle switch used to activate / deactivate the Information Mode. Use the Information Mode Switch Shorthand Request to enter/exit this mode. In this mode all information about the selected objects will be displayed. This is a much faster alternative for the display_file_status, list -links, where_command commands and more. To enter the Information Mode, position the cursor next to the object you are interested in and issue the shorthand request. The marked object name's status/information will be displayed on the right-hand side of the screen. If you have not positioned the cursor, the first displayed object will be selected. While tabbing or moving the cursor up or down in the Operation Codes Area, VS will automatically display the information for the next/previous object.

a-auto,
auto_mode_
switch

 A toggle switch used to activate / deactivate the Auto Mode.

d-deltas,
deltas_mode_
switch

 A toggle switch used to activate / deactivate the Deltas Mode. In this mode, VS calculates process(es) meters based on the current interval.

+Next
disk

 SPS changes the current disk name (e.g. #d01) to the next disk-name on the system.

-Prev
disk

 SPS changes the current disk name (e.g #d01) to the previous disk-name on the system.

g-global,
global_
command

 
------------------------ SPS - Global Command. ----------------------
 Command...:
 Function..: execute
This feature enables executing a command on multiple marked files. The command in this case is typed once. Marking files is done by using the Mark Key. After marking file(s), issue the Global Command Shorthand request. You can cycle the FUNCTION field to choose from:

  • execute on-line execution
  • execute_and_display_form on-line execution with the -form option
  • start_process: create a sub-process

o-out_file,
display_
output

 Using this request will enable you the browse the output file that the last process that VS started had created. Browsing is allowed while the subprocess is still running. For more information see the SPS/Browser.

s-save,
save_path_
name

 The user may save, change, delete or edit path names as part of the SPS configuration. Saved Path names are used for quick directory navigation. The following screen will appear: 

------------------------ SPS - Save Path Name ----------------------
 Abbreviation:
 Type:         Processes
 Path:         *.*
 Func:         write
Explanation:

  • Abbreviation: A short alias for the path name.
  • Type: Specify Files/Directories/Links/Processes.
  • Path: The path name SPS should save.
  • -Func: Specify write / rewrite / delete or edit_configuration.
Note that the Type field can be cycled to be spaces. In this case, whenever you use the abbreviation to change the path name, SPS will not change the value in the Type field.

e-expand,
expand_path

 When issuing this request, VS will expand (reread) the current directory structure and update the screen if any changes were found.

*-all,
change_to_all

 When displaying files, the request will change the star name to (current_dir)>*. When displaying processes SPS will change the user's mask to *.*.

c-clean,
clean_
operation_
codes

 This request will erase any commands from the operations codes area.

c-configure,
cofigure_sps

 Will bring up the SPS Configuration Screen. See "System Configuration" for more details.

a-abbrev.,
add_
abbrev

 The request enables adding abbreviations to the user's (home_dir) >abbreviations file. SPS will call the edit command, the user will make changes to the abbreviations file, save the file and exit the editor. SPS will activate the new abbreviations file.

p-print,
print_screen

 Sends the current screen image to the local printer.

t-tree,
directory_tree

 SPS starts the SPS/Tree program. The root directory is the user's current_dir directory.

r-ready,
ready_mode

 This request will take the user out of the Shell Mode and start operating in the Ready Mode. In this mode there is no screen-driven interface and the user executes commands as if the process was working directly under VOS.

E-error,
display_
syserr_log

 This command allows to browse the daily VOS error log. VOS error logs are placed under the (master_disk)>system directory. For more information see: The SPS/Browser.

#-Calendar,
sps_calendar

 Start the SPS / Calendar program.

CANCEL-KEY

 To exit any SPS screen use the standard Cancel-Key.

Directory Navigation

SPS expands the input in the path name field to a full valid star name by executing the following steps:
  1. SPS special commands (move-up, move down requests, cycle)

  2. SPS-Saved Path Names (see configuration)

  3. Stratus functions (e.g., (current_dir)>* or (home_dir)>*)

  4. Relative path names (e.g., <<*.pl1)

  5. Abbreviations defined in you process' abbreviation file.

Move Up/Down

 To move the current directory up one level in the directory hierarchy tree use the Move Up Dir Shorthand Request. To move the current directory down one level in the directory hierarchy tree use the Select Dir Internal Command. Put the sign (default is '>') next to the directory name you wish to go down to and press the Enter key. VS will then:

  1. Change the path name to the selected directory name.
  2. Change your current directory to the new one.
  3. List all directories under the new current_dir.
  4. If the new directory has no subdirectories, SPS will automatically change the Type field to Files and will list the names of the files under the selected directory.

Cycle / Cycle-Back

 SPS keeps track of the last twenty path names and the Type field associated with them. Use the Cycle or the Cycle-Back keys to cycle through the paths list until the desired path name is displayed. Press the Enter key to view the objects list. This feature is particularly useful when you need to switch back and forth from one directory to another.

Using Saved Paths

 Using Saved Path names is easiest and fastest way to navigate between the directories. Type the abbreviation and SPS will replace it with the saved path name and retrieve the objects. It is recommended that you define abbreviations for the directories that are often used. Up to 100 abbreviations can be defined in SPS. For more details see the explanation on the Save Path Name Shorthand Request.

The Directory Tree

 SPS-TREE is a built-in program that will give you a tree-like graphic presentation of your directory structure. The root directory for the TREE program will always be your current directory. The user can page up and down, move the pointer to any directory and then change your current_directory by pressing the Enter key.

Executing Commands

Commands are entered in the Command Line field and/or the Operations Codes Area next to the object names. Commands can be executed in the foreground with or without the -form option or started as subprocesses. (Refer to the explanation of "Subprocesses.")

Operation Codes Area

Position the cursor next to the object name, type any command and press the Enter key. You can use any command or an abbreviation as defined in your abbreviation file. (e.g e-edit, d-display).

You can enter up to 38 commands at one time. The commands are executed in the same order in which the objects are displayed.

If you want a command to be executed with the -form option, press the display-form key. The marked commands will be displayed in reverse video and will be executed with the -form option.

The insert-saved key can be used to insert the last entered command. Saving is done automatically as you type. SPS will echo to the screen the command and the file name as they are being executed. After the completion of execution you will be prompted to press the Enter key to return to SPS or if you wish, you can press any key to cancel out of SPS. If the command name is longer than five characters or if you want to execute the same command on many files, use the Global Command Shorthand Request.

Internal Commands

There are nine Internal Commands handled by SPS. The default values can be changed through the configuration procedures. These commands are used in the Operations CodesArea. The Internal Commands are:

> - Select Directory

 When displaying directories, position the cursor next to any directory, type the select_directory sign and press Enter. VS will then take you down to the selected directory. For more information see the See explanation under Move Up/Down requests.

* - Generic Command

 Use the Generic Command if you do not have enough room to enter a command. SPS will display the object name selected and will prompt you to enter the required command. It is also useful to use this command if you want to perform more than one operation on a single object. All you have to do is enter the number of required operations next to the '*' command.

x - Execute Command

 Use this command to execute any command macro (.cm) or program module (.pm) files.

xf - Execute Command with -form

 Works exactly like execute command but in addition it displays the command's CRT form before executing it.

? - Where Command

 Using this command will give information such as which include files your compiler picks up or which objects are used by the bind command etc. When listing Commands / Objects / Includes use this command to display the full path of the object.

v-Browse Command

 Evokes the SPS/Browser program.

s-Stop Process

 Stops the marked process(es).

deb-Debug Process

 When listing processes use this command to start the mp_debug program. SPS will issue the following commands for you and put you in debug mode.
  1. include_process [selected process]
  2. use_process 1
  3. suspend_process 1
  4. trace

p - Process Priority

 When listing processes use this command to set / reset priorities.

Example:

To set priority to 3 enter 'p3' next to the process name and press the Enter.

The Command Line

Use the Command Line field to submit any command. To do so, tab the cursor to the Command Line field, type a command and press the Enter key. To execute the command with the -form option, press the display-form key. SPS will execute the command and return to the main screen.

Cycle Last Used Commands:
SPS remembers the last five commands that were entered from the Command Line field. To retrieve previously entered commands tab to the Command Line field and press the Cycle or Cycle-Back keys to cycle to the required command, then press the Enter key to execute the command.

The Global Command

Use this command to execute a command on multiple files. Use the Mark key to mark the files then issue the Global Command Shorthand Request to evoke the Global Command (see the shorthand's description).

Programmed Function keys

The user can program and assign commands to the first 10 Function Keys (F1 to F10) as part of the VS configuration. Execute the System Configuration Shorthand Request and define the commands for each Function Key. (see System Configuration). Once your functions have been defined, evoke the command by pressing the Function Key.

Starting a Sub-process

Starting sub-processes allows you to continue your work (the terminal will be available) while the sub-processes are running in the background. Type the commands and then use the Start Process Shorthand to start a sub-process. SPS creates and starts another process to perform your commands, it will clear the Operation Codes Area and will notify you that the sub-process has started. SPS will also send notifications in case one of your command(s) did not complete successfully. You will get a message with the command that failed and the system's error message (e.g., 'pl1 acct.pl1- Translation had errors').

Displaying the Process Output File:
Once you have invoked a background process with SPS you can use the Display Last Out File shorthand Request to display and examine the contents of the output file created by that process. You can do this without having to change your current directory. You will be able to watch the *out file while(!) it is being written in the Follow Mode. SPS output files are created in your (process_dir) and are named as follows: sps_proc_(date)_(time).out. For more details see the SPS Browse documentation.

System Configuration

SPS maintains the user's setup in a small file under the user's home directory. To change or to add information to the SPS configuration use the Configure SPS Shorthand Request. The following CRT form will appear: 

-------------------- SPS - System Configuration. -------------------
 Function..: function_keys

You can cycle the FUNCTION field to choose from:

Function Keys

 
------------------------ SPS - Function Keys. ----------------------
 F1..:
 F2..:
 F3..:
 F4..:
 F5..:
 F6..:
 F7..:
 F8..:
 F9..:
 F10.:
Type the commands that you want to be executed for the function keys and press the Enter key to complete the definition process.

Omit Files Star Names

 
----------------------- SPS - Omit Selection. -----------------------
 Mask1..:
 Mask2..:
 Mask3..:
 Mask4..:
 Mask5..:
 Mask6..:
 Mask7..:
 Mask8..:
 Mask9..:
 Mask10.:
Type the file masks (e.g., *.backup) and press the Enter key to complete the definition process.

Internal Commands

 
------------------------- SPS - Preferences -------------------------
 Select_directory:         >
 Execute_command:          x
 Execute_and_display_form: xf
 Where_command:            ?
 Browse_command:           v
 Stop_process:             s
 Debug_process:            deb
 Set_process_priority:     p
 Execute_LONG_command:     *
 position_on:              Path_Name
 -reset_to_current_dir:    no
 editor:                   !edit
Change the information and press the Enter key to complete the definition process.