What is the best way to learn mainframe?

[Someone]

What is the best way to learn mainframe? Can't we just have this at home?

[Robert Sample]

"learn mainframe" can include (but is not limited to):
- batch JCL
- online programming
- COBOL programming (batch or online)
- Assembler programming (batch or online)
- PL/I programming (batch or online)
- system utilities
- system programming
- DB2 administration
- DB2 programming
- MQ Series administration
- MQ Series programming
etc
etc
etc

Perhaps you should attempt to restrict your question to one area instead of asking such an open-ended question? To "learn mainframe" and pick up all these skills would take many years and tens of thousands of hours of learning. Remember mainframes have been around almost 50 years at this point, and there is a VAST amount of material available about them.

[dick scherrer]

Consider looking for a job that would provide on-the-job training. Some places are willing for someone to co-op while they are in training (Work part time and attend school part time.

The biggest challenge with trying to learn "mainframe" alone is figuring where to start.

[Anuj Dhawan]

What is the best way to learn mainframe? Can't we just have this at home?

As the saying goes, if you don't know where to go - choose any path, it'll take you there!

Very broadly, you can divide the learning path in two: Batch and Online. You can see examples of what is batch and what is online in the reply from Robert. Having this data with you will help you to answer the question (it's tough to figure out what to learn) which Dick has indicated to. Once you've crossed that step, whit a bit of "silent thinking" - look at what Enrico has suggested to; that's something will make you get a "mainframes at home PC". However, with this rank beginner question, it might be tough for you to get hercules and under lying OS working for you in start. But don't hesitate to try.

Good Luck!

[dick scherrer]

Keep in mind that the mainframe is NOT intended to be an "out of the box" set of software as nearly all Win-based software has become.

There are several disciplines that must be dealt with when setting up and running a "mainframe". Someone very well versed on the real mainframe may find it fairly straightforward to set up the environment on the pc, but someone with no mainframe experience may find it quite difficult . . .

fwiw

[DB2 Guy]

One way might be to start with some book on subject of your choice. You might pick up something from Murach Publication and start reading it. They have quite a good number of books on Mainframes and they write it very user friendly.

Anuj has started a section here for the pointers to such books, however, I believe he had been keeping busy with these site updates so that section has less collection of books as of now. Until then you may google the book name and if possible try to get it from a nearest library or a book shop.

Good Luck!

[dick scherrer]

I have purchased several books from Mike Murach Publications.

They are ALL excellent.

IIRC, there is no single book that teaches "mainframe".

[zprogrammer]

Apart from reading books I stay active in these kinda forum and try to learn others's experience . So when evenever people post some queries here , you could try to understand what they ask and what is given as solution to them.