Mainframe COBOL

IIBM DB2 9.7 Shakes up the DBMS Market with Oracle Compatibility

Mike — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:01:27 +0000

In April 2009, IBM announced DB2 9.7, the newest version of DB2 database management system, which contains many new features for increasing performance, reliability and ease of use; lowering management costs; enhancing workload management; and adding compatibility with Oracle PL/SQL stored procedures and other Oracle-specific functionality. READ MORE

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The Slow Death of the PC: Still Waiting for a Viable Challenger

Mike — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:48:59 +0000

I was at IBM at the time that IBM itself seemed to declare the death of the mainframe era. Analysts and companies alike claimed that the mainframe was dead, to be replaced by client/server computing. Around two and a half decades later, the mainframe is still around and it is still one of the largest and most profitable businesses IBM has. Far from being dead, it is now a showcase for some of the most cutting-edge technology density, energy management, and cooling technology in the market. READ MORE

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CA Accelerating Its Push Into The Cloud

Mike — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:00:04 +0000

CA (CA), formerly known as Computer Associates, is making aggressive moves to join the growing trend of cloud computing, one that is fast transforming data centers.

Cloud computing marks a major shift for information technology managers. Users don’t load software onto their computers but instead access programs via the Web. It’s a way to cut the cost of managing on-site computer resources. READ MORE

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If programming languages were like women…

Mike — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:31:19 +0000

There are so many programming languages available that it can be very difficult to get to know them all well enough to pick the right one for you. On the other hand most men know what kind of woman appeals to them. So here is a handy guide for many of the popular programming languages that describes what kind of women they would be if programming languages were women.

COBOL A plump secretary.

She talks far too much, and most of what she says can be ignored. She works hard and long hours, but can’t handle really complicated jobs. She has a short and unpredictable temper, so no one really likes working with her. She can cook meals for a huge family, but only knows bland recipes.

FOR MORE, CLICK HERE

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Linux…Ten Years On the Mainframe!

Mike — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:00:04 +0000

Mainframes are about 40 years old. And as you probably know, several years ago mainframes were written off as expensive, dated computers that were capable of running only large business applications. Mainframe go south, many said. Not anymore - thanks to Linux!

Linux on mainframes has evolved rapidly during the past 10 years - yes - 2010 is the 10th anniversary of Linux on the mainframe. READ MORE

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Much Work to be Done Before the Boomers Bolt

Mike — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:08 +0000

Though more marathon than sprint, insurers are indeed in a race to glean as much as they can from a graying IT workforce possessing increasingly rare skill sets and a vast amount of institutional and system-specific knowledge.

Considering the stakes, carriers need to make tactical considerations, including shifting internal staff and outsourcing certain functions, in order to maximize the effectiveness of these workers. READ MORE

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My developerWorks: IBM DB2 Users Group/Forum

Mike — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:00:40 +0000

Interested in DB2? This group is for you! Fans of all DB2 versions on all platforms (DB2 for Linux, Unix and Windows, DB2 for z/OS and DB2 for i5/OS) are welcome.

DB2 is IBM’s flagship database management system designed to handle both relational data as well as data stored as XML documents. The hallmark characteristics of DB2 are world’s best proven performance, virtually unlimited scalability, unmatched reliability and security.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE IBM WEBSITE

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IBM eliminates nearly 2,500 jobs across US

Mike — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:57:59 +0000

IBM layoffs in the mid-Hudson numbered into the hundreds Tuesday, and by 9 p.m. the company had eliminated nearly 2,500 U.S. positions.

A source with knowledge of the layoffs said the bulk of the cuts would be over by Wednesday. Hardest-hit are IBM facilities in the South and West, according to the source. READ MORE

Editor’s note: Sad….

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Spike in jobless claims highlights system flaws

Mike — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:00:37 +0000

California got $66 million in federal funds in 2003, earmarked the money to upgrade its call center software and part of its antique, Cobol-based computerized payments system, yet failed to launch these upgrades until recently.

“Projects originally scheduled for completion in 2008 will not be completed until 2014,” said the Assembly report, blaming the delay on “errors in judgment … bad planning, multiple changes in procurement processes and contradictory decisions.” READ MORE

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Saving money and the planet with the most open system – System Z

Mike — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:15:31 +0000

Although the mainframe revenue for IBM suffered in 2009 because of its upgrade cycle, the introduction of the new z10 System platform continues to be the best open system. Yes that is correct, the mainframe is the most open system available because it runs all types of workloads, of course the legacy standards of Assembler, COBOL, PL1 etc. but also C++, C#, java, PHP and the rest of the languages that run on UNIX and Windows boxes. READ MORE

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