IBM Mainframe Forum

How to Build mainframe environment in windows?

Hercules-390 provides an emulator for Windows. You can then run MVS 3.8 (a mainframe operating system from many years ago) on Hercules.

IBM allows development partners to purchase systems that run mainframe z/OS software on Windows, but this option is NOT generally available if you do not work for one of their development partners. IBM holds copyright on their operating system and other system software and does not allow their current operating system and system software to be executed on PC emulators such as Hercules-390.

These users thanked the author Robert Sample for the post:

pradeepd (Wed Dec 25, 2013 2:35 pm)

Our site uses a product from MicroFocus called Mainframe Express. It allows you to code and test using almost real COBOL, almost real IMS almost real VSAM, almost real DB2 and almost real CICS.

I say 'almost' because there are several small differences that you have to keep in mind while building the environment, mostly compiler settings, but a few gotchas with databases.

It's a nice system though, because a single person can do coding and testing with real mainframe data loaded to their PC. They can be their own DBA and restore/reset/build/change databases if they want.

These users thanked the author Ed Goodman for the post:

pradeepd (Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:43 pm)

depending on the facilities needed it might be worth to look at
http://www.z390.org/zcobol/

These users thanked the author enrico-sorichetti for the post:

pradeepd (Wed Dec 25, 2013 2:51 pm)

Thanks for your reply's

i seen this video in youtube (installing z/OS on hercules)
is it possible?

requirements for Microfocus cobol(mainframe express) environment.
[link encouraging copyright infringement removed]
H.C

i seen this video in youtube (installing z/OS on hercules)
is it possible?

Yes it is, but it is not legal to do it

and ... if You succeed do not tell

These users thanked the author enrico-sorichetti for the post:

pradeepd (Thu Dec 26, 2013 12:42 pm)

What about MF COBOL
How can I build it in my PC?
Is there any way to practice mainframes in my PC?

see my previous suggestion about zcobol