Insert Mode; Input Inhibited - IBM 3270 Operator's Manual

16
Operating the 3270
INSERT MODE Indicator
INPUT INHIBITED Indicator
The INSERT MODE indicator applies only to display stations
with keyboards. It tells you that your machine is in Insert Mode.
It comes on when you press the INS MODE key. To turn it off,
press the RESET key on the keyboard.
Insert Mode allows you to insert a character, or characters,
into an existing line on your screen without destroying any of
the data already there. The new characters are inserted at the
cursor location, and the data to the right of that location. is
shifted right one character position for each character inserted.
Later, when you read the discussion for the INS MODE key in
your keyboard section, more details and an example of an Insert
Mode operation will be presented.
The INPUT INHIBITED indicator tells you that all of the input
devices on your display station are disabled. You cannot key any
data from your keyboard or, if you have a Selector Pen, you
cannot select any items with it. If a display station is installed
without a keyboard, selector pen, or operator identification card
reader, the INPUT INHIBITED indicator will light only under
program control. Before explaining the conditions that cause a
display station's input devices to be inhibited, we will discuss the
way in which your keyboard is disabled.
There is no mechanical keyboard lock associated with
preventing the use of the keyboard, such as there is on keypunch
keyboards. That is, when input is inhibited, the keys on your
keyboard are not physically locked in one position; you can still
press them down normally. On your display station, when input
is inhibited, the keyboard's electrical circuits (triggered by
pressing the keys) are deactivated, and the click that you
normally hear when any key is pressed stops. The result is like
pressing the keys when your display station is turned off; they go
down, but nothing happens.
The reasons why the INPUT INHIBITED indicator will come
on are:
1. If you attempt to change, in any way, the data contained
in a protected field, INPUT INHIBITED will turn on and
your keyboard will be disabled.