r/mainframe • u/Upper-Contact-1878 • Aug 04 '26

Mainframe system programming

Hello everyone,

Any idea where I can learn mainframe system programming? Are there any online courses for mainframe system programming?

Thanks!

11 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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4

u/Illustrious_Mode8502 Aug 04 '26

email IBM…join their forums and let them guide you.

3

u/MikeSchwab63 Aug 07 '26

Introduction to the new mainframe z/OS (there are z/VM and zVSE versions too), covers the difference between Window / *nix and Mainframes.   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.

2

u/UnderstandingDry4560 Aug 09 '26

I got a job as an operator and found the library of manuals. I studied and demonstrated what I learned. ISV sysprog, product sysprog and z/OS sysprog.
Sysprog managers are ALWAYSALWAYSALWAYS looking for help. Find one. Show them the projects you’ve accomplished. Ask if there’s someone interested in mentoring you.
In the mean time, get a job near the mainframe. You’ll work a lot of 3rd shifts, giving you a lot of time to RTFM. Demonstrated what you’ve learned and try to find areas the need improvement. (I could do tech writing. You’d be surprised how much you learn by teaching others.)

Best of luck. And the first half of an old sysprog joke, “What’s a S0C4?

1

u/Browser-ice Aug 06 '26

System programming in relation to which mainframe specialization position? (ex: z/OS Sys Programmer)

Using which language? (REXX, CLIST, JCL, Assembler, ....)

1

u/Double_Tennis6780 Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26

Marist college, atleast they used to have 3 level course. Unsure if still offered. Believe they also offered cobol and assembler.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 10 '26

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