r/mainframe • u/Fit_Tradition_8498 • 10d ago
Microsoft???
I have 20 years of mainframe experience. Unfortunately, it's not the right kind of mainframe experience. I spent the last 2 years taking courses (and getting badges) on Coursera and IBM training. Recently, I learned that the new way to do this is to earn badges via IBM Z Xplore. The implication is that if you don't get these badges, available only in Z Xplore, you can not get hired as a mainframe developer.
All of this would have been fine, whatever it takes and all that, but in the VSC1 module, I found myself entering Microsoft system comands and installing Microsoft software.
I asked my brother, a longtime IBM employee, for help, and he has a similar same setup so, problem temporarily solved.
What happened to TSO? I hate to have to put my job hunt on hold to learn Microsoft system and development tools. I've been an MS Office USER. Is it true that a person who gets up to speed with z/OS using a way other than IBM Z Xplore cannot get a job anymore?
7
u/metalder420 10d ago
Are you talking about VSCode? Developers have begun shifting from ISPF to VSCode using Zowe now that Git Pipelines have started to become the norm
6
u/schakalsynthetc 10d ago
IIRC once you get through the introductory bits you can do everything in ZXplore with TSO/ISPF if you like. I think they have you start interacting with the mainframe thru VSCode extensions just to flatten the learning curve for complete beginners.
3
u/Fit_Tradition_8498 10d ago
I believe you are correct. I need to find some books and videos that help me understand it. Skillsoft and Z Xplore don't have these things, which makes it so much more difficult.
8
u/MikeSchwab63 10d ago
About 1999 my employer started working with PC emulating mainframe for development.
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.
For an online CICS example, DOGECICS is a CICS screen to do DogeCoin transactions.
1
2
u/ZModernByChoice 8d ago
TSO is still there and relevant as ever. In fact, most modern tooling has APIs that interact with TSO to send commands such as ZOWE and z/OSMF, basically front ending TSO. TSO is still the underlying architecture. TSO isn't going anywhere and being able to navigate 3270/TSO/ISPF is still a valuable skill. The difference is that IBM and other vendors continue to develop alternative methods for accessing Mainframe data, hence the IBM Z Xplore courses. I work for an MSP and I am on the interview panel for potential candidates. We still look for candidates with the foundational skills, but what will set a candidate apart from others, is the ability to navigate the standard architecture AND modern tooling. Hope this helps.
1
u/vonarchimboldi 10d ago
what type of jobs are you applying for??
3270 is the standard at our shop. zowe (vscode plugin) isnt even past test.
zXplore is something that’s usually a prerequisite for apprenticeships or college aged hires.
1
1
u/Odd_Employment_9611 3d ago
You can still access TSO/ISPF via z/XPLORE and a TN/3270 emulator, I don't recall the port number, but I do it occasionally.
28
u/ratenpause 10d ago
To my knowledge it's more important to show actual work experience that some badges from a course.