General Procedures
Use of the Return Key
The TCL processor does not process an input statement typed at the TCL prompt until the return key is pressed. If you do not press return, characters accumulate in the terminal input buffer until 240 have been entered; the TCL processor then automatically generates a RETURN, unless it detects a continuation character.
Continuation Character
The continuation character (CTRL+_), entered before the 240th character, extends the input (command) line to contain another 240 characters. This character must be followed immediately by a RETURN or LINE-FEED. If a space is required in the input statement at this point, be sure to type it, either before the continuation character, or at the beginning of the extended input line.
Typeahead
The TCL processor operates on one input statement at a time. The typeahead feature, if enabled, allows you to type further commands while the first command is executing. For more information, refer to the description of the commands TYPEAHEAD-OFF and TYPEAHEAD-ON.
Screen Control
Most listings to the terminal pause at the end of each page, unless you use the N (no page pause) option. The following commands are used to exit or manipulate the screen displays:
CTRL+ECauses control to return to the originating processor when executed at page end of a paged listing.
For example, if you list a file from a Proc, press
CTRL+E to
return control to the Proc that initiated the list. Or, if you list MD from TCL
(:), press CTRL+E
to exit the list and return to TCL.
CTRL+XHalts terminal display and returns control to TCL when executed at page end of a paged listing. You can then re-enter a command line.
CTRL+X is also used to edit a command line. Refer to Editing Functions.
CTRL+SPauses all display to the screen until CTRL+Q is entered. XON/XOFF flow control must be enabled.
CTRL+QResumes display to the screen. XON/XOFF flow control must be enabled.
These commands eliminate the need to use CTRL+BREAK, which enters debug (if permitted), to terminate listings.
To view the next screen, if no automatic scrolling is in effect, press either RETURN or any key on the keyboard.
Editing Functions
The following control characters can be used while typing an input statement and before you press RETURN to activate the processor:
BACKSPACEDeletes the last character typed and allows you to re-enter it.
CTRL+RRetype. Reprints the current line entered. This feature is intended for hardcopy terminals.
CTRL+XCancels the line currently being entered.
TCL Stacker
The TCL Stacker allows you to recall and edit previously typed TCL commands. For details, refer to the description of the '.' command.