Re: Architectural Level Sets
To add to this thread ... I would like to know at what point during the evolution from S/370 to S/370-XA to S/390 to zSeries, did the architecture stop supporting IPL of any OS that runs in "BC mode" or that starts out in BC mode, before setting up page and segment tables and control registers and then enabling DAT? In other words, what processor family(s) and specific models in that family, if need be, can no longer IPL and run any of the "public domain" operating systems from the 1970s to early 1980s? (DOS/360, OS/360, DOS/VS, OS/VS1, OS/VS2, VM/370, TSS/370, etc.) Thanks in advance. Mark S. Waterbury -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
Re: searching for CP-67 source or microfiche listings
To clarify, what I meant was CP's "saved system" facility that used much the same mechanisms to define named segments to CP, e.g. DMKSNT. This capability existed even in CP-67 CP, so that users could type "IPL CMS" for example. -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
searching for CP-67 source or microfiche listings
Hello, IBM mainframe enthusiasts: Recently we have obtained images of some old tapes containing source code for the original Cambridge Monitor System (CMS) from CP-67. We can restore that source under VM/370 Rel. 6 CMS, running on older hardware or under the Hercules-390 emulator or the new SIMH IBM360 simulator (that also simulates non-XA models of S/370). Several people are now working to recreate CMS67 by re-assembling the source code, to geneate a nucleus and save it as a "named saved system" under VM/370 Rel. 6, so that people can experience what "early CMS" was like, compared to the more "modern" VM/370 CMS, (but under VM/370 vs. CP-67), e.g. by logging on to VM/370 and typing "IPL CMS67" ... For historical accuracy, the SIMH IBM360 simulator also supports the 360 model 67, and so we would really like to find a copy of the source code for CP. IBM apparently made microfiche listings available for the CP component of CP-67, as well as the CMS component. The complete microfiche set for CP-67/CMS was IBM form # GYB0-0789-0, or for just the CP-67 listings on microfiche, form # GYB0-0592-1, and for CMS microfiche listings only, form # GYB0-0593-1. If anyone can find a copy of microfiche listings for CP-67 CP, we can re-create the source code from that, using IBM microfiche; some shops had "COM" (Computer Output to Microfiche), so perhaps someone may still have a copy of those listings in that format. Also, If anyone recalls any IBM customer sites that ran CP-67/CMS back in the day, where we might find possibly some old tapes containing those source materials, please let me know here on this list, or you can reply privately. (Even better would be to find a copy of the original CP-67/CMS distribution tape for 360D-05.2.005, but due to age, etc., this now seems less likely.) Thanks in advance for any help with these "computer software archaeology" and historical restoration efforts. All the best, Mark S. Waterbury -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
Re: Any interest in PSD I/O for REXX?
Hi, Seymour, I just saw this thread ... Have you looked at using the Subsystem Interface for this? Take a look at GPSAM by Howard Gilbert at Yale ... on the CBT tapes. You might only need to issue DYNALLOC with the SUBSYS= parameter specified, to point to the desired DSN and member name ...? Just a thought ... All the best, Mark S. Waterbury -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
"Everyone wants to retire mainframes ..."
Folks, That article: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/everyone-wants-to-retire-mainframes-but-74-of-modernization-efforts-fail/ -- has a nice historical photo at the top, but with no explanation whatsoever of the content of that picture. That is none other than (a then young) Grace Hopper, who was instrumental in the development of COBOL, and who worked for the U.S. Navy for most of her career. I had the privilege of meeting her, in person, early in my career, when she was then an "elder statesman" for COBOL and had been given the honorary rank of "Rear Admiral" in the US Navy ... (she was officially retired from the Navy by then); that was in the late 1970s, around 1976 or 1977, if I remember correctly. At that time, she always carried with her a small bundle of "bell wire" all cut to a lengh of just under 12 inches, or the distance an electrical signal would travel over copper wire in one nanosecond. As she met each new person, she would hand you one of these pieces of wire and say, "That's a nanosecond!" with some delight. :-) See also : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper and https://news.yale.edu/2017/02/10/grace-murray-hopper-1906-1992-legacy-innovation-and-service Anyway, I just wanted to point that out, about that photo. These young so-called journalists today never do proper research or "vett" any of their stories they write, or "fact check" anything. It is really a shame. And, as for the numbers they quote, of what percentage of those "surveyed" responded this way or that, what percentage of how large a population? And who did they survey, exactly -- a bunch of young MBA types who are now typically in the role of "CIO" or VP, IS? Those are the same people who are largely responsible for ruining much of the industry, with "outsourcing" to the lowest bidder overseas, etc. :-o Just saying ... All the best, Mark S. Waterbury -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
Re: Old SHARE publications....?
I think he may be thinking of the old SHARE Program Library Agency "catalog" of programs. I think CBTTape.org may have a copy of at least one of those ... Mark S. Waterbury -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
Re: COBOL and English was Re: Still COBOL After All These Years?
I can confirm the part of the story where Grace Hopper found herself left without a ride back to her hotel in Osaka. In the late 1970s, I had the pleasure of meeting Grace Hopper when she came to visit the facility where I was working at that time. When she stopped by our department, she was chatting with a number of us, and told that story of how she discovered that she needed a ride, and she realized that no one left in the room spoke any English. But, she also realized they were COBOL programmers. So, as I recall, she told the story like this -- She announced loudly to the group of programmers, "MOVE!" while pointing to herself. Then, she pointed away and stated, "GOTO OSAKA HOTEL!" -- and they understood, and someone took her there. And, of course, she handed out "nano-seconds" (an ~12" length of bell wire) to anyone in the room who would accept one. :-) She would say, "Here's a nanosecond" as she handed you a length of wire. She was great. -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
does anyone recall any details about MVS/XA?
Hi, all, Does anyone recall how MVS/XA was first distributed and installed? e.g. was there some kind of a "starter system"? If so, what was it? MVS 3.8J, or MVS/SE or MVS/SP or what? I seem to recall that someone told me that there was no longer any "SYSGEN" process used to install MVS/XA? So, how was this task accomplished? Also, does anyone recall whether IBM made available any "optional source materials" for MVS/XA, either machine readable, on magnetic tape, or was that only available on microfiche, if it was available at all? Thanks in advance for any details anyone can provide. All the best, Mark S. Waterbury -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
access to 9-track reel tape drive
Does anyone know of anyone in (or near) Central Florida (private individual or company) with a working mainframe compatible 9-track tape drive capable of reading tape reels recorded at 1600 or 6250 BPI density? I have a number of old tapes that need to be copied and archived, for "posterity." Please advise. Feel free to reply privately if you prefer. Thanks in advance. Mark S. Waterbury -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
