Modern Mainframe Development

Chapter 1. Why Be a Mainframe Developer?

The long-term prospects for tech employment are particularly bright. Just look at the results of research from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The forecasted employment growth for technology occupations is expected to be about 13% from 2020 to 2030, which is significantly faster than the average for all occupations. The number of jobs projected to be added during this time is roughly 667,600.

But for those looking at career opportunities—​or exploring a change—​mainframe development is likely one of the last areas in tech considered. In fact, the odds are pretty good that many people will not even think about this category.

This should be no surprise. The media usually does not cover mainframe topics or trends. What’s more, these systems often handle applications that power infrastructure, which makes it difficult to get a sense of what they can do. Besides, it’s not like any one can go to a Best Buy and purchase a mainframe. These machines are expensive and complex. They also require a team of talented IT professionals.

The mainframe is a mystery for many people. And the common perception is that the industry is a backwater, with little growth.

But sometimes perceptions can be wrong, and this is certainly the case with the mainframe industry. Since the technology is generally for large companies, opportunities exist for developers to work on systems that impact many customers and users. Often the technologies support mission-critical ...