Get Ready: Talk Like a Mainframer

An introductory overview of more than 30 key terms used in mainframe management.

Ready to embark on the journey of becoming a mainframer? Fantastic! To kickstart your exploration, let's begin by unraveling the language of the mainframe world.

In the video below, titled "Talk Like a Mainframer," we'll guide you through 33 popular terms that seasoned mainframers use in their daily discourse. Whether you're a budding enthusiast or a seasoned pro, understanding this unique lexicon is key to navigating the intricate landscape of mainframe technology.

For your reference, here are the terms mentioned in the video above:

  1. z/OS: A widely used operating system for IBM mainframe computers that uses 64-bit central storage. A descendant of the IBM 360, 370 XA, and 390 ESA MVS which were 24 and 32-bit operating systems.

  2. Abend: Term for abnormal ends associated with a job or task. Not a crisis; return codes or reason codes aid troubleshooting.

  3. Syslog (System Log): Contains dumps and messages on consoles.

  4. Job Log: Provides information before and after an abnormal end, aiding analysis.

  5. ACK: acknowledgment field. Shorthand confirmation is commonly used in developer conversations.

  6. APARs (Authorized program analysis reports): Identifies bugs and progresses through temporary fixes to the final Program Temporary Fix (PTF).

  7. Batch Jobs: Automated tasks, often scheduled during low-usage times for activities like report generation.

  8. BCP (Base Control Program): Core of z/OS, residing in the central electronic complex, aka the "Box" or "Keck."

  9. CICS (Customer Information Control System). Middleware subsystem optimizing high transaction volumes.

  10. CEC (Central Electronic Complex): Houses core mainframe hardware components, often referred to as the "Keck" or "Box."

  11. Sysprogs: A systems programmer. Manage the mainframe, handling tasks like installing products, dealing with JCL, and ensuring smooth operations.

  12. Concurrent Upgrades: Allow dynamic updates without rebooting.

  13. Coupling Facility: Ensures data consistency across parallel systems.

  14. IMS (Information Management System): Legacy subsystem.

  15. ESM (External Security Manager): Handles security for products, including ACF2, Top Secret, and RACF.

  16. Fiber Channel: Communication channel.

  17. OSA (Open Systems Adapter): a Network Interface Card (NIC)

  18. GDPS (Global Data Processing Services): High-end solution for disaster recovery.

  19. Parallel Sysflex: Facilitates parallel systems, often referred to as a "Plex."

  20. HMC (Hardware Management Console): Desktop gateway to the mainframe.

  21. ISPF (Interactive System Productivity Facility): Provides a terminal interface for system management.

  22. JCL (Job Control Language): Simplifies job creation.

  23. LPARs (Logical Partitions): Allow logical segmentation of a single mainframe into multiple systems.

  24. LIC (Licensed Internal Code): Mainframe firmware.

  25. MSUs (Millions of Service Units): Measure processing capacity.

  26. MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second): Measure processing capacity.

  27. PAX Files: Essential for installing products.

  28. SMP (System Modification Program): Controls changes to the operating system.

  29. SMF Records: Record types, particularly "Type 89" for SCRT (Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool).

  30. SCRT (Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool): Crucial for usage reporting.

  31. Type 89 Record: Part of SMF Records, specifically for SCRT.

  32. z/VM: z Virtual Machine used to run other z/VMs or operating systems.

  33. SAF (Security Access Facility): Standard universal security API in z/Systems to enable security calls to the ESM access control products.

  34. RACROUTE: Standard security program instruction used to invoke the SAF API security calls to the ESM(s).

z/OS dictionary

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