This " Mainframe Reader" contains 24 articles on z/Architecture, z/OS, and its many " friends," including security hardware and software, networking and management utilities, and major software products like the Customer Information Control System (CICS), Information Management System (IMS) and Databases like Db2 (part of a family of data management products developed by IBM). Many z/OS built-in elements, optional features, and program products are explored and explained in the context of disciplines or categories like security, infrastructure and application support.
About the Author :
Joseph Gulla has had a long career in computing beginning as a COBOL programmer in the late 1970s on IBM mainframe computers. Later, he was a systems programmer with a focus on installation and support of CICS and related products. He also has CICS application development experience writing applications in COBOL and Assembler. While working for IBM, Joseph developed NetView products for automation of CICS, IMS and OPC. Joseph also has teaching experience with CICS Command Level coding, MVS JCL, NetView and SMP/E.
Since leaving IBM in 2013, Joseph has written technology articles for the IBM Systems Magazines, deliver mainframe services for a software vendor (PathPoint Software, Inc.) and develop technical documents for OpenLegacy Software, working directly with the team in Israel. He is currently developing content for StreamFoundry, an IT services company.
Joseph has been an adjunct instructor at Nova Southeastern University where he taught in the Ph.D. program and at La Salle University where he taught in the BA and MBA programs.
Here is a summary of Joseph' s education:
2002: Ph.D. Computer Information Systems, Nova Southeastern University
Dissertation Report: Design and Implementation of a Prototype Toolset for Full Life-Cycle Management of Web-Based Applications.
2000: Master's Certificate in Project Management, George Washington University
1983: M.B.A. Management Information Systems, La Salle University
1976: B.A. Liberal Arts, La Salle College
Here is a list of Joseph' s recent published articles:
TechChannel Contributor " z/OS and Friends" Series
Regular contributor to TechChannel, focusing on IBM mainframe technologies. Notable articles include:
"z/OS UNIX: A Solid Foundation for an Enterprise-Grade DBMS", Published: July 7, 2025
Explores how z/OS UNIX supports enterprise-grade database systems.
"The Unique Benefits of z/OS-Native Database Systems", Published: June 16, 2025
Discusses the advantages of using native DBMS on z/OS platforms.
"IMS Transaction Manager: From Its Moonshot Roots to More Recent Product Enhancements", Published: June 2, 2025
A historical and technical look at IMS Transaction Manager.
"IMS Transaction Manager and Database Manager Support Tens of Thousands of Transactions a Second", Published: May 12, 2025
"Rich Functionality Is What CICS Is All About- Then and Now", Published: April 28, 2025
"CICS Changing With the Times While Serving Longstanding Applications", Published: April 7, 2025
"What Is the JES Programming Dimension and Why Is It Important?", Published: March 24, 2025
"JES- One of the Most Important Base Elements of z/OS", Published: March 10, 2025
"Optional Features Complete a Compelling and Function-Rich Legacy OS", Published: February 24, 2025
