The Librarian (version control system)

The Librarian
Other namesCA-Librarian, Librarian
Original author(s)Applied Data Research
Developer(s)
Initial release1969; 55 years ago (1969)
Stable release
4.4 / 2010; 14 years ago (2010)
Operating system
PlatformIBM mainframe
TypeRevision control
LicenseProprietary
Websitetechdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/ca-mainframe-software/devops/ca-librarian/4-4.html

The Librarian is a version control system and source code management software product originally developed by Applied Data Research for IBM mainframe computers. It was designed to supplant physical punched card decks as a way of maintaining programs, but kept a card model in terms of its interface. During the 1970s and 1980s it was in use at thousands of IBM mainframe installations and was one of the best-selling software products in the computer industry.

After Applied Data Research was acquired by Computer Associates in 1988, the product became known as CA-Librarian. After that company was acquired by Broadcom in 2018, the product became known simply as Librarian.