The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Mainframes are still a big thing (Interview)

5 snips
Jan 27, 2023
Cameron Seay, an Adjunct Professor and member of the Open Mainframe Project, dives into the world of mainframes and COBOL. He unveils the crucial differences between mainframes and cloud computing, highlighting the legacy of IBM's System Z in industries like finance. As the demand for COBOL programmers surges due to workforce retirements, Seay discusses educational efforts to bridge skill gaps. He also emphasizes mentorship's role in nurturing new talent for this vital sector, ensuring the ongoing relevance of mainframe technology.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Mainframe Advantages

  • Mainframes efficiently process sequential transactions, crucial for finance and healthcare.
  • They scale vertically by adding processors, unlike horizontal cloud scaling with multiple servers.
INSIGHT

Mainframe vs. Other Processors

  • Mainframes prioritize performance and efficiency, minimizing wasted cycles due to high operational costs.
  • Other processors prioritize availability, accessibility, and affordability over absolute performance.
ADVICE

COBOL Opportunity

  • Learn COBOL to increase your career opportunities in mainframe development.
  • Companies struggle to find COBOL programmers, creating a high demand.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app