z/VM: CP Commands and Utilities Reference - z/VM - IBM

Introduction
Command Structure
When you enter the null line, the status area displays either CP READ or VM READ.
Also, if you are in a read state, in either the CP command environment (with RUN
set OFF) or the CMS command environment, and you enter a null line, the system
responds with the name of your command environment: CP or CMS in the system
output area.
To determine the command environment for a line-mode device, a null entry
(carriage return with no data) yields CP or CMS in the system output area.
You enter CP commands using any combination of uppercase and lowercase
letters. When you have typed the command and its operands, press the ENTER
key to process the command.
You may enter commands from CMS EXEC procedures or applications. See z/VM:
System Operation and z/VM: REXX/VM User’s Guide, and the description of
DIAGNOSE X'08' in z/VM: CP Programming Services, for information on the
programming interfaces for simulating the virtual console.
When simulating a virtual console, keep the following considerations in mind:
v Textual output from commands may change from release to release. In particular,
command output that affects the way you use a terminal may be rearranged.
NLS support may make the output available in multiple languages. Textual output
is changed only when necessary.
v Return codes remain relatively stable from release to release.
A VM command line consists of a command name, usually followed by one or more
positional operands. The general form for the CP command line is:
command name operands
You must use one or more blanks to separate each entry in the command line
unless otherwise indicated.
The Command Name
The command name is an alphanumeric symbol, not more than twelve characters
long. For example, DISCONNECT.
In general, command names are verbs that describe the function you want the
system to perform. For example, if you want to attach a real device to your virtual
machine configuration, enter the ATTACH command.
The Command Operands
Command operands are keywords and positional symbols, usually no longer than
eight alphanumeric characters.
2 z/VM: CP Commands and Utilities Reference
You use operands to specify the information on which the system will operate when
it performs the command function. For example, you use the TERMINAL operand in
conjunction with the CP QUERY command to find out what terminal options are in
effect for your virtual machine.