8 Best-Selling Mainframe Development Books Millions Love

Ori Pomerantz and colleagues draw on decades of IBM mainframe security experience to bridge the gap for professionals transitioning from UNIX, Linux, or Windows environments. The book demystifies the z/OS operating system command line and ISPF tools, guiding you through core security administration tasks like managing users, protecting data sets, and configuring audit logs. You’ll gain insight into RACF’s role in mainframe security and how it fits into broader enterprise IT safeguards. Whether you’re new to mainframes or an experienced administrator, this book offers clear, focused instruction tailored to your background and needs.

Bill Qualls challenges the conventional wisdom that mainframe assembler programming is outdated by demonstrating its vital role in modernizing legacy systems. You learn how to write efficient assembler code that complements high-level languages like COBOL and C, with practical exercises using real-world business data sets. The book is structured to get you started coding from the very first page, making it accessible for beginners while still refining skills for experienced programmers. If your work involves retrofitting mainframe applications or preparing for critical migrations, this book offers clear, focused instruction without unnecessary complexity.

This tailored book explores battle-tested mainframe development methods crafted to match your unique challenges and goals. It delves into foundational concepts such as system architecture and programming languages while also examining advanced topics like performance tuning and security considerations. By focusing on your interests and background, this personalized guide reveals insights drawn from widely validated mainframe development knowledge, enabling you to deepen your understanding efficiently and effectively. The content is designed to engage you directly with practical examples and targeted explorations that resonate with your specific needs, making complex topics approachable and relevant.

David Shelby Kirk’s expertise in mainframe environments shines through in this focused exploration of OS/390's MVS system. You get a detailed breakdown of how critical components like TSO, IMS, CICS, and DB2 interconnect within this operating system, helping you grasp the architecture driving large-scale enterprise computing. The book also covers practical topics like job and task management and environment control, equipping you with a solid skill matrix to assess your competencies. If you work with or aspire to master mainframe operations, this primer offers a clear, structured foundation without unnecessary jargon or fluff.

Unlike most mainframe development books that focus solely on legacy languages, Lou Marco’s guide bridges traditional mainframe expertise with modern Java programming. You’ll learn how Java can access and manipulate mainframe file and database structures, with detailed comparisons to COBOL and PL/I that clarify the transition. Chapters on Java implementations for IBM's OS/390 and advanced topics like Java classes and EJB equip you with practical skills to build web-enabled applications on mainframes. This book suits mainframe programmers aiming to expand into Java without losing sight of familiar concepts, though those seeking purely introductory Java may find it more technical than expected.

The methods Kevin C O'Kane developed while teaching IBM assembly language for over two decades shape this introduction to mainframe programming. You gain a clear understanding of IBM mainframe architecture, instruction formats, and operand addressing, along with detailed programming examples that illustrate concepts like subroutine linkage and decimal programming. Designed for beginners, it integrates with the free z390 emulator, making it practical for hands-on learning without prior assembly experience. If you want to master the fundamentals of IBM mainframe assembly with concrete examples and structured guidance, this book offers a straightforward path, though it’s less suited for advanced users seeking deep optimization techniques.

This tailored book explores the essential skills and knowledge required to advance your mainframe expertise efficiently. It covers core mainframe concepts such as system operations, programming fundamentals, security principles, and performance tuning, all carefully matched to your background and learning goals. By focusing on your specific interests, the book offers a personalized path through the complex world of mainframe development, making the learning process more engaging and effective. It reveals key insights from widely trusted resources and adapts them to address your individual progress pace and objectives. This personalized approach allows you to accelerate your skill acquisition through focused, relevant content, ensuring that you build confidence in critical areas such as COBOL programming, RACF security, and job control language, all within a fast-track, 90-day plan.

Mike Murach, a veteran author with over five decades of experience in technical publishing, brings a focused expertise to this guide on COBOL programming specifically tailored to IBM mainframes. You’ll start with foundational skills like coding simple programs and generating reports, then move into structured programming, advanced data handling with tables, and managing records across different file types. The book also covers key operational aspects such as program compilation on mainframes and working with systems like VSAM, CICS, and DB2 databases. If you’re aiming to deepen your COBOL skills within the mainframe environment, this book offers a thorough, stepwise approach that balances practical coding with system-level insights.

Drawing from more than three decades of hands-on experience, Dinesh Dattani developed this guide to address the critical gaps in IBM mainframe security knowledge as seasoned professionals retire and newer generations step in. You’ll gain insights into key security challenges, audit considerations, and compliance frameworks specific to z/OS and RACF environments, going beyond mere command syntax to real-world business practices. Chapters delve into practical issues like risk mitigation, access control, and security policy enforcement, tailored for large IT organizations relying heavily on mainframes. If you work with mainframe security or need to strengthen your organization's defenses, this book offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective rather than theory.

Robert Wingate is a recognized expert in mainframe technology whose practical approach shines through in this focused guide for IBM mainframe developer candidates. You get over 300 targeted questions and answers covering key areas like JCL, VSAM, IMS, DB2, COBOL, PL/I, and CICS, making it clear what technical skills you need to master for interviews. The book’s concise chapters allow you to drill down on specific technologies often tested, preparing you to confidently tackle complex interview challenges. If you're aiming to break into or advance within the IBM mainframe space, this book sharpens your readiness by honing in on actual interview demands rather than broad theory.