What On Earth is a Mainframe? [Paperback]

David Stephens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2008

Looking for a "Mainframes for Beginners" book? Need to learn about z/OS fast? Then this is the book you need.

This is the perfect introduction to IBM System z Mainframes and z/OS. Avoiding technical jargon, it gives you the basic facts in clear, light-hearted, entertaining English. You'll quickly learn what Mainframes are, what they do, what runs on them, and terms and terminology you need to speak Mainframe-ese.

But it's not all technical. There's also invaluable information about the people that work on Mainframes, Mainframe management issues, new Mainframe trends, and other facts that don't seem to be written down anywhere else.

What On Earth is a Mainframe is the closest you'll get to a "Mainframes for Dummies" book.

Programmers, managers, recruitment consultants, and industry commentators will all find this book their new best friend when trying to understand the Mainframe world.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

In 2005 I was in-between Mainframe jobs and working as, of all things, a scuba diving instructor. I had some time on my hands, so I started to play with an outline that would become What On Earth is a Mainframe.
 
Since starting with Mainframes a long time ago, I've always wondered why someone didn't put together a book that just explained what IBM Mainframes and z/OS were. Something for anyone - even non-technical people who have never seen or heard of a Mainframe. I had in mind a book that was quick and easy to digest, and maybe even fun to read. A 'Mainframes for Dummies' book.
 
So that's what I've tried to write here. It's a book I wish I had when I first hit Mainframes.
 
I hope everyone enjoys this book.

About the Author

David Stephens saw his first Mainframe in 1989, and can't seem to get away from them. After graduating with an Engineering degree from the University of Tasmania, he spent six months working as a Mainframe Network Operator before moving to z/OS Systems Programmer. Since then David has amassed over eighteen years of Mainframe technical experience - working on almost every aspect of managing and operating Mainframes. He also has six years experience working in Systems Software Development and Level 3 Software Support for IBM. 

When not working on Mainframes, David loves to travel the world, go walking for days in the wilderness, scuba dive, or some combination of these. He'll also happily drink your red wine collection dry. 

David currently works as a Systems Programmer Consultant with Longpela Expertise. He lives in Perth, Western Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com (August 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1409225356
• ISBN-13: 978-1409225355
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Stephens saw his first Mainframe in 1989, and can't seem to get away from them.

After graduating with an Engineering degree from the University of Tasmania, he spent six months working as a Mainframe Network Operator before moving to z/OS Systems Programmer. Since then David has amassed over seventeen years of Mainframe technical experience - working on almost every aspect of managing and operating Mainframes. He also has six years experience working in Systems Software Development and Level 3 Software Support for IBM.

When not working on Mainframes, David loves to travel the world, go walking for days in the wilderness, scuba dive, or some combination of these. He'll also happily drink your red wine collection dry.

David currently works as a Systems Programmer Consultant with Longpela Expertise. He lives in Perth, Western Australia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for anyone in the IT industry, December 17, 2008

By 

Allan Chandler "Pax" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What On Earth is a Mainframe? (Paperback)

Before I started my current job, I seriously thought the mainframe was dead technology. I've since been re-educated; nothing can match System z for reliability and pure unadulterated transaction throughput. Sure, your 'pretty' machines are fine for front-end purposes but the real grunt for businesses has always been (and probably always will be) at the back end.

As someone who's primarily working on the periphery of mainframe technology, interfacing desktops and mid range servers to it (but dabbling more and more frequently into the mainframe itself), this book is an absolute Godsend.

It explains all the terminology and technology in nice easy terms that even a System z neophyte like myself can understand.

And it held my attention, mainly because it's entertaining, so much easier to wade through than those long technical tomes that insist on explaining, in excruciating detail, every aspect of every possible JCL command.

I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who's even remotely involved or interested in the mainframe - and that's a lot more people than you would think at first.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars useful and handy introduction, July 31, 2010

By 

John A. Wallen (West Hartford CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What On Earth is a Mainframe? (Paperback)

Am trying to prep up for a job with mainframes in the mix. Found the book of some help, but expected a bit more depth and detail than it actually had to offer. If the reader had no mainframe exposure at ALL, it'll be of good value. I've been exposed to them to a small degree, and sat at CICS and TSO consoles myself, so was looking for maybe just a bit more than this particular book was intended for. Great for complete newbies, though.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction, September 13, 2011

By 

Steven E. Baker "...Steve" (TEXAS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What On Earth is a Mainframe? (Paperback)

This book does a great job of introducing the subject of mainframe computing with a great balance of software and hardware perspectives. In addition, the author successfully summarizes all of the concepts in later chapters, giving you a good feel for what you need to go back and review.

For someone in the IT world that does not interface much with mainframes, this book is a great way to go from zero to sixty in a weekend.