If Win 10 still used floppies for install ...

Hi folks

Running IBM MVS and TSO on laptop now !!!!! any old timers here remember IBM mainframe TSO !!!

BTW just a bit of error in the documentation it seems to connect 3270 emulator to the MVS console == on Linux /Windows install x3270 and (haven't tested on Windows yet) but on a Linux console after the MVS system has started (all automatic) type in c3270 localhost:3270 and you'll get your TSO in glorious technicolor !!!!



(Some of us are going really bonkers here but it's fun)

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Hi folks
Perhaps we should have a new Forum subsection -- "Retro Computing" or whatever - I can still run the old IBM MVS 3.8J mainframe system OS with it's TSO (time sharing option) under the Hercules Emulator on a modest laptop -- which has more power than those old "IBM Big Blue" Mainframes e.g 3031/2/3 etc. !!!!!

Both 100% Free and will run on both Windows and Linux systems.

The Hercules System/370, ESA/390, and z/Architecture Emulator for the emulator
The MVS 3.8j Tur(n)key System MVS stuff

Have fun !!!

Cheers
jimbo

I think you just started up a touch of PTSD.

I was delighted when, at a long-ago job, I moved away from an MVS mainframe to VMS on a DEC VAX 8600. I admit that some of the IBM pain was due to not having access through a 3270. I think I mainly used a Tektronix 4014. The interface they provided was not the best.

Loved the VAX One co-worker had his terminal configured so that it beeped on every key press. Fortunately, I was far enough away that I couldn't hear it, else I would have landed in prison for manslaughter. (We were all nerds there, but he was out in the fringes of the curve.)

bobkn said:

I think you just started up a touch of PTSD.

I was delighted when, at a long-ago job, I moved away from an MVS mainframe to VMS on a DEC VAX 8600. I admit that some of the IBM pain was due to not having access through a 3270. I think I mainly used a Tektronix 4014. The interface they provided was not the best.

Loved the VAX One co-worker had his terminal configured so that it beeped on every key press. Fortunately, I was far enough away that I couldn't hear it, else I would have landed in prison for manslaughter. (We were all nerds there, but he was out in the fringes of the curve.)

In the late 1980's at NASA the scientists in the building I worked at all had terminals connected to a VAX. They were bringing in new scientists but quickly realized that upgrading the VAX and adding more terminals would cost more money than their budget allowed. They found it cheaper to buy the newcomers PCs and network these to the VAX.

The high cost of mid-sized computers like the VAX and the dropping prices of PC type computers told me at the time where the future was. DEC was slow to adapt. They came out with their own line of PCs but by then it was too little and too late. DEC was bought by Compaq in 1998. Compaq didn't last either. It merged with HP in 2002.

A common terminal for scientists and engineers was a Tektronix 4014 terminal. Most were connected to a hard copy device. These were used for producing a paper copy of the graphics display on the terminals.

I spent most of my time at another small research building. For software development we replaced the aging PDP computer with a MicroVax. It cost $100,000.

Hi folks
Here's another one for "Old timers" who have used the old IBM MVS mainframe OS -- do people remember its hideous JCL (job control language) you needed to get a job to run -- but I did like the Block character routine to separate print output.

Quick sample of a PL/1 (anybody even remember that any more although was good in its day !!!!) test thing running on the IBM MVS system using the hercules emulator on a laptop !!! - Hopefully will bring back some memories.

TTTTTTTTTTTT EEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSSSSS TTTTTTTTTTTT PPPPPPPPPPPP LL 111
TT EE SS SS TT PP PP LL 1111
TT EE SS TT PP PP LL 11
TT EE SSS TT PP PP LL 11
TT EEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSS TT PPPPPPPPPPPP LL 11
TT EEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSS TT PPPPPPPPPPP LL 11
TT EE SSS TT PP LL 11
TT EE SS TT PP LL 11
TT EE SS SS TT PP LL 11
TT EEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSSSSS TT PP LLLLLLLLLLLL 1111111111
TT EEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSSS TT PP LLLLLLLLLLLL 1111111111



JJJJJJJJJJ 2222222222 AAAAAAAAAA
JJJJJJJJJJ 222222222222 AAAAAAAAAAAA
JJ 22 22 AA AA
JJ 22 AA AA
JJ 22 AA AA
JJ 22 AAAAAAAAAAAA
JJ 22 AAAAAAAAAAAA
JJ 22 AA AA
JJ JJ 22 AA AA
JJ JJ 22 AA AA
JJJJJJJJ 222222222222 AA AA
JJJJJJ 222222222222 AA AA


****A START JOB 2 TESTPL1 TEST PLI ROOM 10.03.05 AM 27 NOV 20 PRINTER1 SYS TK4- JOB 2 START A****
****A START JOB 2 TESTPL1 TEST PLI ROOM 10.03.05 AM 27 NOV 20 PRINTER1 SYS TK4- JOB 2 START A****
****A START JOB 2 TESTPL1 TEST PLI ROOM 10.03.05 AM 27 NOV 20 PRINTER1 SYS TK4- JOB 2 START A****
****A START JOB 2 TESTPL1 TEST PLI ROOM 10.03.05 AM 27 NOV 20 PRINTER1 SYS TK4- JOB 2 START A****
J E S 2 J O B L O G


10.03.05 JOB 2 IEF677I WARNING MESSAGE(S) FOR JOB TESTPL1 ISSUED
10.03.05 JOB 2 $HASP373 TESTPL1 STARTED - INIT 1 - CLASS A - SYS TK4-
10.03.05 JOB 2 IEF403I TESTPL1 - STARTED - TIME=10.03.05
10.03.05 JOB 2 IEFACTRT - Stepname Procstep Program Retcode
10.03.05 JOB 2 TESTPL1 HELOWRLD PL1L IEMAA RC= 0004
10.03.05 JOB 2 TESTPL1 HELOWRLD LKED IEWL RC= 0000
10.03.05 JOB 2 TESTPL1 HELOWRLD GO PGM=*.DD RC= 0000
10.03.05 JOB 2 IEF404I TESTPL1 - ENDED - TIME=10.03.05
10.03.05 JOB 2 $HASP395 TESTPL1 ENDED


------ JES2 JOB STATISTICS ------


27 NOV 20 JOB EXECUTION DATE


22 CARDS READ


384 SYSOUT PRINT RECORDS


0 SYSOUT PUNCH RECORDS


0.00 MINUTES EXECUTION TIME
1 //TESTPL1 JOB (SETUP), JOB 2
// 'TEST PLI',
// CLASS=A,
// MSGCLASS=A,
// MSGLEVEL=(1,1),
// NOTIFY=HERC01
**********************************************************************
***
*** NAME: SYS2.JCLLIB(TESTPL1)
***
*** DESC: TEST PLI INSTALLATION
***
**********************************************************************
2 //HELOWRLD EXEC PL1LFCLG
3 XXPL1LFCLG PROC SOUT='*' 00000100
4 XXPL1L EXEC PGM=IEMAA,PARM='LOAD,NODECK' 00000200
5 XXSYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=&SOUT 00000300
6 //PL1L.SYSLIN DD UNIT=SYSDA
X/SYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,DISP=(MOD,PASS),UNIT=SYSSQ, *00000400
XX SPACE=(80,(250,100)) 00000500
7 XXSYSUT3 DD DSNAME=&&SYSUT3,UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(80,(250,250)), *00000600
XX DCB=BLKSIZE=80 00000700
8 XXSYSUT1 DD DSNAME=&&SYSUT1,UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(1024,(60,60),,CONTIG),*00000800
XX SEP=(SYSUT3,SYSLIN),DCB=BLKSIZE=1024 00000900
9 //PL1L.SYSIN DD *
10 XXLKED EXEC PGM=IEWL,PARM='XREF,LIST',COND=(9,LT,PL1L) 00001000
11 //LKED.SYSLIB DD DSN=SYS1.PL1LIB,DISP=SHR
X/SYSLIB DD DSNAME=SYS1.PL1LIB,DISP=SHR 00001100
12 XXSYSLMOD DD DSNAME=&&GOSET(GO),DISP=(MOD,PASS), *00001200
XX UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(1024,(50,20,1),RLSE) 00001300
13 XXSYSUT1 DD DSNAME=&&SYSUT1,UNIT=SYSDA,SPACE=(1024,(200,20)), *00001400
XX SEP=(SYSLMOD,SYSLIB),DCB=BLKSIZE=1024 00001500
14 XXSYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=&SOUT 00001600
15 XXSYSLIN DD DSNAME=&&LOADSET,DISP=(OLD,DELETE) 00001700
16 XX DD DDNAME=SYSIN 00001800
17 XXGO EXEC PGM=*.LKED.SYSLMOD,COND=((9,LT,LKED),(9,LT,PL1L)) 00001900
18 XXSYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=&SOUT 00002000
19 //GO.STEPLIB DD DSN=SYS1.PL1LIB,DISP=SHR
//
STMT NO. MESSAGE
-
5 IEF653I SUBSTITUTION JCL - SYSOUT=*
14 IEF653I SUBSTITUTION JCL - SYSOUT=*
18 IEF653I SUBSTITUTION JCL - SYSOUT=*
17 IEF686I DDNAME REFERRED TO ON DDNAME KEYWORD IN PRIOR STEP WAS NOT RESOLVED
IEF236I ALLOC. FOR TESTPL1 PL1L HELOWRLD
IEF237I JES2 ALLOCATED TO SYSPRINT
IEF237I 190 ALLOCATED TO SYSLIN
IEF237I 180 ALLOCATED TO SYSUT3
IEF237I 170 ALLOCATED TO SYSUT1
IEF237I JES2 ALLOCATED TO SYSIN
IEF142I TESTPL1 PL1L HELOWRLD - STEP WAS EXECUTED - COND CODE 0004
IEF285I JES2.JOB00002.SO0102 SYSOUT
IEF285I SYS20332.T100305.RA000.TESTPL1.LOADSET PASSED *-------22
IEF285I VOL SER NOS= WORK03.
IEF285I SYS20332.T100305.RA000.TESTPL1.SYSUT3 DELETED *--------0
IEF285I VOL SER NOS= WORK02.
IEF285I SYS20332.T100305.RA000.TESTPL1.SYSUT1 DELETED *--------0
IEF285I VOL SER NOS= WORK01.
IEF285I JES2.JOB00002.SI0101 SYSIN
IEF373I STEP /PL1L / START 20332.1003
IEF374I STEP /PL1L / STOP 20332.1003 CPU 0MIN 00.12SEC SRB 0MIN 00.05SEC VIRT 784K SYS 204K
**************************************************************************************************** ********************************
* 1. Jobstep of job: TESTPL1 Stepname: PL1L Program name: IEMAA Executed on 27.11.20 from 10.03.05 to 10.03.05 *
* elapsed time 00:00:00,24 CPU-Identifier: TK4- Page-in: 0 *
* CPU time 00:00:00,17 Virtual Storage used: 784K Page-out: 0


!!!!! We all seem to have a bit of time to waste these days - but I still find it amazing that a lowly laptop can replicate this stuff when back in its day it took quite a large computer with huge Disks and water cooling to run this stuff !!!!!

Cheers
jimbo

My university had a Burroughs B6700 running ALGOL we affectionately called "Billy Burroughs" I remember both dropping a stack of punch cards after punching in the code and also the numerous syntax errors when you made a "typo"

x509 said:

First job I had out of grad school, they used a CDC 6600 with timesharing. That machine had a great reputation for performance. But the timesharing "editor" was impossible to use, and I remember being so frustrated that I gave up and did some calculations by hand.

I used a 6600 in grad school. The University (of Arizona) upgraded it to a Cyber 175. (Rumor had it that it was needed to run their new payroll system.) Towards the end of my degree work, I was able to use a DEC 10 to submit jobs to it. The jobs were virtual card decks. I communicated with the DEC 10 over a 300 baud modem. All this was a vast improvement over having to use an 029 keypunch and a card reader. I imagine that the university's IT resources lagged those of the real world by a few years.

For you whippersnappers out there, Seymor Cray was the head technical person at Control Data Corporation (CDC) before he left to found Cray Research.

CDC hardware appeared in that classic Christmas movie, Die Hard. Didn't figure into the plot, though.