Python on z/OS doesn't have an "ISPF host command environment" like REXX (i.e., ADDRESS ISPEXEC) and ISPF's two official call interfaces (SPEXEC and ISPLINK) are documented for REXX/CLISTs and LE-compiled languages (COBOL, PL/I, C, etc.), not for Python
Keep your panels in ISPF and drive the dialog with a tiny REXX (or CLIST) layer. From that REXX, invoke Python to do the heavy lifting (ML, file transforms, REST calls, ZOAU ops), then return results to the panel (via temp data sets/USS files, stem variables, or messages). From ISPF, you can launch external commands
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Matheus Porsch
Systems Administration - Kyndryl
Brazil
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Original Message:
Sent: Mon November 17, 2025 11:29 AM
From: Steve Spence
Subject: ISPF Dialog Functions - Can Python call ISPEXEC functions?
Not sure if this question has mentioned before, but I was wondering if Python could call ISPEXEC functions (Panels, Tables and Datasets) just like you can do with REXX, CLISTs/, Cobol ,PL/1 etc.
The reason behind this is Python offers a lot of options to integrate external processes especially with z/OSAU, but it's the PANEL part I need.
With z/OS does this make it more feasible in some way or is the difference between Python and and the traditional programming languages too big in terms programming interfaces.
I am asking the impossible!
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Steve Spence
Expert Systems Engineer, Applications
Ensono Ltd
London
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