UNIX for the Mainframer: The Essential Reference for Commands, Conversions, TCP/IP [Paperback]

David B. Horvath (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0136328377 | ISBN-13: 978-0136328377 | Publication Date: August 24, 1997 | Edition: 1

If you know mainframes, this book will help you extend your expertise to UNIX environments.This book is a quick, complete reference guide - and a powerful tutorial - for any mainframe professional who wants to understand UNIX and TCP/IP. It provides an overview comparing and contrasting mainframe and UNIX environments from the standpoint of the mainframe professional. It introduces mainframers to UNIX data and file handling methods; shows how UNIX provides for the commands and utilities mainframe programmers are familiar with; and discusses UNIX alternatives to mainframe JCL. It covers advanced UNIX shell scripts; UNIX editors; UNIX account configuration; and third-party tools that may make mainframe developers more comfortable in the UNIX environment. The book includes detailed lists of error messages, codes, UNIX signals, hints and techniques; conversion tables for ASCII and EBCDIC; an overview of the UNIX C Shell and TCP/IP, and much more.All mainframe programmers, analysts, system analysts and consultants who need to learn UNIX. This including the rapidly increasing number of programmers in IBM environments working with mainframes as network hubs, or with IBM RS/6000 workstations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

63283-6

“I know how to do it on the mainframe, but what's the command under UNIX?”

More and more organizations are migrating to UNIX, leaving experienced programming staff frustrated by their lack of familiarity with the new environment. But mainframe skills are transferable!

Designed especially for mainframe professionals, UNIX for the Mainframer builds on existing computer knowledge to ease the technology transfer. Programmers, analysts, system analysts, database administrators, and consultants already know how computers work. This book maps that understanding to the UNIX paradigm without rehashing a lot of basic computing concepts or presuming prior familiarity with UNIX.

UNIX for the Mainframer provides a complete orientation to UNIX for users in transition. It is also an outstanding reference volume for looking up the answers to specific questions, for example:

• “What's the command for ?????” - UNIX commands are mapped directly to the corresponding mainframe terms.
• “What's a Shell Script?” - UNIX scripting languages are explained in terms of JCL, PROC's, CLIST, and REXX.
• “How did these files get here?” - How to organize, specify, name, and retrieve UNIX files is detailed, along with full instructions for account configuration.
• “How do you edit these files?” - Popular editors are reviewed and related to ISPF commands.
• “What's going on deep down?” - A comparative history describes UNIX and mainframe operating systems and environments.

Appendices offer further resources for deciphering common error messages, converting data, comparing hardware, and accessing networks, along with general hints and suggestions for ongoing reading.

UNIX for the Mainframer is the only book that helps mainframers use their existing skills to get them up and running in the UNIX environment, fast.

“David Horvath has written an excellent introduction, tutorial, and reference for those mainframe programmers and administrators who need or want to become part of the larger computing and network world. It is solidly structured, technically sound, and more than passably readable.” Robert Slade, Internet Review Project.

About the Author

DAVID HORVATH is a senior consultant with CGI Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of IBM Corporation. Besides teaching UNIX, C programming, and data modeling, he has developed and taught courses on transitioning between operating systems in industry and at the college level. He is now pursuing an MS degree in the Dynamics of Organization at the University of Pennsylvania.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (August 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0136328377
• ISBN-13: 978-0136328377
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #951,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful training manual/cross reference, August 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: UNIX for the Mainframer: The Essential Reference for Commands, Conversions, TCP/IP (Paperback)

Designed to enable professional mainframers to apply existing knowledge and skillsets in the UNIX environment. Not for beginners with no knowledge base in either environment. Gives many helpful comparisons, for example:

Mainframe = SDSF da/i/o/etc.. Closest Unix Equiv = lpstat/ps/who/vmstat/iostat

Mainframe = partitioned data set (PDS) Closest Unix Equiv = subdirectory

I believe would benefit both midrange and mainframers working in a multi-platform environment. If nothing else it helps bridge the language barrier between the two groups and takes some of the mystique out of the 'other side'.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, May 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: UNIX for the Mainframer: The Essential Reference for Commands, Conversions, TCP/IP (Paperback)

Describes Unix using the mainframe as equivalents. Very interesting and helpful.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does the job, October 22, 2009

By 

da video guy (mahwah, new jersey United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: UNIX for the Mainframer: The Essential Reference for Commands, Conversions, TCP/IP (Paperback)

Every now and then (depending on what department I am in and the tasks I have to perform) I have to pull out this book "UNIX For The Mainframer" (UFTM) to save my anatomy. This enables me to support multi-platform applications.
Of the four UNIX books I have at work, UFTM is the first one in which I found the answer, having the terminology I used for the search.
If you have to "RTFM", try UFTM.