A mainframe operating system is a network software infrastructure that enables a mainframe computer to run programs, connect linked machines, and process complex numerical tasks based on data. All computers use some kind of basic operating system (OS), which is what allows them to organize files and execute commands. The biggest difference between a simple computer operating system and a mainframe operating system is where each is located. In a nutshell, a mainframe system runs on a mainframe computer, which is generally thought of as a kind of “headquarters” or server for a computer network. Most major networks and infrastructures have a mainframe, which is where data is stored and systems are largely organized. In the early days of computing, all computers were mainframes and many were very complicated to use and operate. Things have come a long way, but there is still an important role for these larger operating systems when it comes to supporting all the machinations of the modern tech landscape.
man holding computer
Operating System Basics
Just as the keyboard and mouse are the interface between the computer and the user, the operating system is the interface between the computer and the software it runs on. The operating system acts like a traffic cop, pushing and pulling data to and from memory, registers, input and output devices, and the processor. The easiest way to think of a mainframe operating system is simply as an operating system on a mainframe computer, a powerful device used primarily by governments and businesses to process large amounts of information and support large numbers of users.
Origins and Development
In the 1950s, before desktop computers and long before laptops, all computing was done on mainframes. These computers could take up an entire room and most were not powerful, at least not by modern standards. They typically worked less than one of today’s laptops. In fact, the first computers were designed to perform a single task or run a single program.
As computer programs became more complicated and computer hardware became cheaper, it became more effective to build computers that could run more than one type of program at the same time. To allow this, computer engineers had to develop a way for the computer to adapt to a new and different program. The mainframe operating system was developed accordingly.
early examples
One of the earliest features of the system was the reading of punched cards, which were basically very old versions of readable floppy disks and CDs. On those early computers, there was not only a mouse, there was also no keyboard. All input into the computer came from cards with holes punched in specific patterns. The position of the holes determined the data that was transmitted and transferred. The operating system reads each card and translates it into binary data that the computer understands and can use to perform certain specific functions.
This old computer input method is a good example of what an operating system does. If a computer program is looking for a series of numbers, for example, it doesn’t really matter where those numbers come from. Binary data can come from punch cards, a keyboard, an Internet script, or speech recognition software. The operating system takes the number of the input device and passes it to the program, which then uses it when needed.
modern utility
It was through these early days of operating system functionality that aspects of modern computing were pioneered. Concepts like batch processing, multitasking, buffering, and print spooling, key elements of how computers work today, were first introduced in the mainframe operating systems of the 1950s, though obviously in much simpler ways. Technicians have built on these early ideas to enable everything from remote data transfer to smartphone internet connectivity.
