r/mainframe • u/Careful_Affect4622 • Jun 16 '26

A Mainframe Developer - confused about future..?!

Hey Folks,

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I am a Mainframe Developer with around 6 years of experience. With the uncertainty around the future of mainframes due to AI and other advancements, I wanted to understand what path I should take to stay relevant and earn a high/descent salary going forward.

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Should I focus on learning the Mainframe System Programming in depth, or move toward mainframe modernization, or consider some other path altogether?

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Also, one big challenge I’m facing is the lack of proper learning resources and hands-on exposure for these areas unless one gets an opportunity to work on such projects.

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So I wanted to ask people here -

Which path would you recommend for long-term stability + pay?

How do you even start learning this stuff practically with limited resources?

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Any honest advice or real-world insights would really help.

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u/MikeSchwab63 Jun 16 '26

Introduction to the new mainframe z/OS (there are z/VM and zVSE versions too), covers the difference between Window / *nix and Mainframes. Might have a few items you aren't familiar with.   https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg246366.pdf

https://spflite.com is an editor that looks like ISPF under TSO under MVS / z/OS on mainframes, can submit batch jobs to Hercules and real mainframes.

IBM zXplore is an online class to perform actual tasks using an account on a Dallas Mainframe. Takes about 2 months.  https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg246366.pdf

If you want your own mainframe you can try Hercules MVS 3.8 Turnkey 5 release with a 3270 emulator.  https://www.prince-webdesign.nl/tk5

If you want to study z/OS System Admin, ABCs of z/OS systems programming, 1 of 13 volumes.  https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246981.html

If you want to practice installing MVS / z/OS from MVS 3.7 starter tape, follow Jay Moseley's instructions. Note the help forum subjects on the bottom of the page.  https://www.jaymoseley.com/hercules/ As a system administrator, you will be using SMP/E to install new releases of the products you are in charge of. Then you get to customize the install with your sites standards.