As ever, you use this free Rexx code at your own risk.
Feel free to use the free software on this site but please honor the copyright.
'Out of the Box' the IBM TSO utility for preparing (compiling) ISPF panels,
ISPPREP, does not save the names of the last used input and output datasets.
This has been the case from at least 2009.
There are three or four things you can do about this.
- Do nothing and accept the situation.
- Raise a request for IBM to remedy the situation.
- Apply the Usermod provided on our website, here.
- Apply the modification provided here.
Warning : Always take a copy of any
target code before changing it.
Please consult your site System Programmer before modifying anything.
Notice: We have now tested this fix on ISPF 7.5 and have added this zap and panel to the XMI file.
Please consult your site System Programmer before modifying anything.
Before starting anything you need to decide how to implement the modifications i.e. Are you OK with changing the current production members (load module ISPPREP and panel ISPPREPA) or would it be better implementing them as separate libraries and leave the IBM members alone?
The pros and cons need to be determined by each individual site.
A very strong case could be made for installing the fixes into a couple of user libraries and concatenating them above the IBM supplied libraries containing the members. Or you could decide to change the IBM modules in the supplied libraries.
It is really a site decision, but our recommendation is to use user libraries.
Backup your target files even if you are not hitting the production files! It is always better to be safe than unemployed! You may also want to backup your SMP/E zones while you are on.
Backups never hurt but have been known to get people out of a jam.
Download the XMI file by clicking the button below.
Installation Instructions
For installation instructions click the button below.
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Last modified :
Friday 27th February 2026