The mainframe is a multi-user, high performance and high-speed computer system. The mainframe is the most reliable, scalable, and secured machine systems.
In other words, we can say that these systems are used for the intend of larger-scale computing, which involves great availability and safety. The mainframe systems are mostly used in various subdivisions such as Retail, insurance, finance, and other critical areas where massive data are processed several times.
- Maximum Input/output bandwidth: The connections between drives and processors have a few choke points if we have the extreme input and output bandwidth.
- Reliability: Frequently, the mainframes agree to the graceful degradation and service though the system is running.
- Reliable single-thread performance: It is important for practical operations against a database.
- Maximum Input/output connectivity: The maximum input/output connectivity implies that the mainframes excel at providing huge disk farms.
What is mainframe testing?
Generally, the mainframe testing is executed on the deployed code with multiple data combinations set into the input file. In other words, we can say that the Mainframe Applications must be tested completely before the production run.
The Mainframe application, or else known as the batch job, is tested in contradiction of the test cases developed with requirements.
The software or the application which runs on the mainframe can be retrieved through the terminal emulator.
After understanding the mainframe testing, we will look into the several characteristics of mainframe testing.
Mainframe Attributes
- Multiprogramming
- Time sharing
- Virtual storage
- Spooling
- Batch processing
Multiprogramming
- The multiprogramming attribute is a facility, which allows us to make efficient use of the CPU.
- The computer implements various programs at the same time.
Time-Sharing
- Time-share processing is also known as Foreground Processing, whereas batch job processing is known as Background Processing. Therefore, it is known as an Interactive Processing because it allows the user to relate with the computer directly.
- In a time-sharing system each user can access to the system over the terminal device.
Virtual Storage
- Virtual storage uses disk storage as an extension of real storage.
- It is a technique to use memory efficiently to store and perform many sized tasks.
Spooling
- The Spool means Simultaneous Peripheral Operations Online, which is used to accumulate the output of a program or an application.
- If it is required, then the spooled output is directed to output devices like a printer.
Batch Processing
- Batch processing is a technique where we can accomplish any task in units also known as jobs.
- We can perform one or more programs in an order based on jobs.
- The Job scheduler concludes about the sequence where the jobs are implemented.
- Jobs are planned as per their importance and class to maximize the average output.
- The batch processing gives us the necessary information with the help of JOB CONTROL LANGUAGE(JCL).