Re: Rewriting SSA. Is This A Chance For GNU/Linux?

On 4/2/25 10:38 PM, pothead wrote:

On 2025-03-31, Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote:

The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> writes:

On 31/03/2025 04:08, pothead wrote:

Financial institutions are still running COBOL as well as other legacy
systems like TPF.

>
But probably on PCs running IBMS linux

>
Lloyds are still on zSeries (you can see the job ads...) though no
doubt with layers of more modern stuff around it.
>
Replacing legacy systems is welcome, but a failed modernization that
breaks your customers’ ability to use their banks accounts gets very
expensive very fast.
>

 Correct.
COBOL and oter legacy software are being run on IBM zSeries.

   BUT, if you're a career bcrat with a cushy job and
   fat pension at risk ... you STICK WITH WHAT YOU KNOW
   ACTUALLY *WORKS*.
   So yea, I can perfectly believe they're keeping 360s
   and such alive and working ...
   Let the NEXT guy rock the boat.
   I *do* understand and kinda agree with such an
   ultra-conservative approach.
   Also, as noted by various, the COBOL and ASM extensions
   and such were oft kinda custom to the PARTICULAR mini
   or mainframe ... so it's NOT just a matter of using
   some emulator/translator and expecting the best.
   For NOW ... 'parallel' systems are required. Give both
   the same data, same tasks. IF the new boxes/ware give
   the same results for a year or two THEN you quietly
   switch over. Get ahead of yourself and there WILL be
   hell to pay - want the entire AARP all over yer ass,
   threatening yer enabling pols ??? Bye-bye pension ...
   I remember a LITTLE TI-990 assembler ... but how
   many OTHERS ? They were fairly popular mini's and
   there's likely some at the SSA/IRS/etc still in
   use. 360s/370s even more likely. Would not even be
   surprised if one or two of the old discrete-transisor
   boxes from the late 50s aren't chugging in the
   basement somewhere. LOVE those spinny tapes :-)
   Hmmm ... 'conservators' should be let in soon, to
   collect/document/preserve that old hardware !