In 1970, I actually got paid a salary to write applications in this Assembler language. Abjectly inefficient, but what a blast!
I was being paid to do the same in 1999!
IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
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Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#22When IBM introduced the AP (attached processor) and MP (multi-processor) systems, they had to add instructions that were guaranteed to be atomic since both processors had uniform access to main memory. Interestingly enough, they only added two instructions (compare and swap, compare double and swap) to support these configurations.
(I think there might have been one or two other supervisor mode-instructions, but there were weirdos like "stop the other processor", for example).
Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#23I remember reading a similar document for my shop's IBM 4381.
When I started mainframe programming, I was given a pocket-sized 'yellow card' that listed all the machine instructions and arguments. It was invaluable for dump-reading.
My co-workers (who were all older when I started) had similar cards, except in different colors. There were white, pink and green cards, too. You could tell when somebody started programming by the color of their card.
I kept mine, still have it.
Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#24In 1970, I actually got paid a salary to write applications in this Assembler language. Abjectly inefficient, but what a blast!
I did about 5 years of assembler in the late 80’s for a major bank (IMS and CICS systems). A set of structured macros supposedly from NASA, made it quite readable. These added if/else, case, loop constructs, etc.
Around 2012(?), working for another major bank, I was asked to make an enhancement to a funds transfer system written in assembler, as no one else left in the pool of programmers had any experience. I had to dig out my old text book which I luckily found, and my old yellow card, and relearned enough to make the change.
Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#25The Adolescence of P-1 was set on IBM System/360 mainframes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adolescence_of_P-1
>Reception
>BYTE criticized The Adolescence of P-1 for what it stated were unrealistic expectations for an artificial intelligence running on 1970s IBM mainframes. It suggested that the author could have set the novel in the 1990s and use fictional future IBM computers to make the plot more plausible.
https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1981-09/BYTE_Vol_06...
Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#26I did a tour of duty as a CPU logic designer at Amdahl. The POO was my bible, although it was the 370 version in those days. The thing to remember about ISA specs like this is that they are works of fiction. The contract goes: “If you programmers are willing to pretend this is how the machines work, we will build a machine that pretends to work that way.” That concept is the key innovation of the 360 system architect…
By pure random luck and if you know, has Amdahl's UTS survived anywhere? Mainframe software seems to simply disappear into the void after its useful life is over.
Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#27Coincidentally, I finished reading "IBM's 360 and Early 370 Systems" earlier today. I highly recommend it and its predecessor, "IBM's Early Computers" from the MIT press. The business aspect is there, of course, but it's really about the development of the machines themselves, down to how they developed the transistors they used along with who did it.
Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#28Fair warning: this is not an introduction.
If anyone is looking for an introduction to the modern version of the platform, this free e-book from IBM is great: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246366.html?Open
I'm trying to get my Multiprise 3000 up and running. Is there something like this for S/390?
Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#29I dare say these boys will find the manual rather handy.
Re: IBM System/360 Principles of Operation (1964) [pdf]
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
If anyone is looking for an introduction to the modern version of the platform, this free e-book from IBM is great: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246366.html?Open
I'm trying to get my Multiprise 3000 up and running. Is there something like this for S/390?
Search that Redbooks site for 'abcs of systems programming'. There's a 5-volume set from 2000 that covers S/390 and OS/390.
Also check out the OS/390 ADCD Redbook:
https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg246204.pdf
Which I found pretty helpful for finding my way around. (I see from the cover that it includes MP3000 info!)
Edit: Have you seen this? (I think this guy hangs out on HN)
ftp://ps-2.kev009.com/incoming/timc/PDFS/IBM/S370%20&%20S390/MultiPrise%203000