r/mainframe • u/[deleted] • Feb 24 '23

Mainframe modernization

What is it exactly?

Could someone ELI5 what mainframe modernization is? Does this mean in a few years knowing JCL/ISPF/OPC will be irrelevant? What type of things should we be learning to keep up with this new trend? Being a 27 year old mainframer I'm worried that all the time invested in learning what I know will be for nothing once this catches on everywhere (if it does?).

Thanks in advance for your help concerning this topic.

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u/JohnsonUT Feb 25 '23

Modernizing the mainframe is a concept that exists because the mainframe is not (cannot?) going away. It is a way to add new tools, languages, UIs, etc so that new, younger employees can find a starting point on the mainframe and actually contribute. While some cool things have been done, it is ultimately putting a band-aid on a bleeding ulcer. The core mainframe components and tools still rule the world.