VSE (operating system)

VSEn
Developer21st Century Software (previously IBM)
OS familyDOS/360 and successors
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed source
Latest release6.3 / May 17, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-05-17)[1]
Marketing targetIBM mainframe computers
LicenseProprietary
Official website21cs.com/vsen/
History of IBM mainframe operating systems
Early mainframe computer OSes
Miscellaneous S/360 line OSes
DOS/360 and successors (1966)
OS/360 and successors (1966)
VM line
TPF line
UNIX and Unix-like

VSEn (Virtual Storage Extended) is an operating system for IBM mainframe computers, the latest one in the DOS/360 lineage, which originated in 1965. It is less common than z/OS and is mostly used on smaller machines.[2][3][4]

DOS/VSE was introduced in 1979 as a successor to DOS/VS; in turn, DOS/VSE was succeeded by VSE/SP version 1 in 1983, and VSE/SP version 2 in 1985.[5] In the late 1980s, there was a widespread perception among VSE customers that IBM was planning to discontinue VSE and migrate its customers to MVS instead, although IBM relented and agreed to continue to produce new versions of VSE.[6][7] In February 2005, IBM announced z/VSE as successor to VSE/ESA 2.7, which was named to reflect the new System z branding for IBM's mainframe product line.[8][9] In June 2021, 21st Century Software Inc announced that it had licensed the z/VSE source code from IBM with the intention of developing new versions of the operating system.[10] As part of this transfer, z/VSE was renamed to VSEn.[1]

  1. ^ a b Lisa Klemens (2022-03-25). "21st Century Software Announces VSEn V6.3". Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  2. ^ Axel Buecker; Boudhayan Chakrabarty; Lennie Dymoke-Bradshaw (2016). Reduce Risk and Improve Security on IBM Mainframes (Volume 1). ISBN 978-0738440101. Extended (z/VSE) is popular with users of smaller mainframe computers.
  3. ^ "Ahead of the Pack". IBM Systems Magazine. Archived from the original on 2018-08-22. At the risk of oversimplification, z/VSE is similar to z/OS but relatively smaller, simpler ... cost-effective
  4. ^ Stedman, Craig (29 Jan 1996). "IBM teaches VM, VSE new mainframe tricks". Computerworld. 30 (5): 39.
  5. ^ Jim Hoskins; Bob Frank (2003). Exploring IBM Eserver Zseries and S/390 Servers: See Why IBM's Redesigned Mainframe Server Family Has Become More Popular Than Ever. Maximum Press. p. 275. ISBN 978-1-885068-91-0.
  6. ^ Cortese, Amy (21 Aug 1989). "Militant VSE users upbeat but impatient". Computerworld. 23 (34): 17.
  7. ^ Ambrosio, Johanna (23 Jul 1990). "VSE gets jumpstart with sequel". Computerworld. 24 (30): 6.
  8. ^ "IBM z/VSE V3.1 generally available". IBM. February 1, 2005. z/VSE continues the focus on interoperability that began with VSE/ESA Version 2 Release 5, and continued with VSE/ESA Version 2 Release 6 and VSE/ESA Version 2 Release 7
  9. ^ Roger Kay (January 13, 2015). "With Z Systems Refresh, IBM Reminds Us That Mainframes Remain Relevant". Forbes. The new system — called IBM z13 and running the fastest ... this latest revision of IBM's time-hallowed product line incorporates new ... fast enough to intervene in time to avert brand damage and lost sales? Well ... What used to be "System z" is now "z Systems," with the current product being the IBM z13.
  10. ^ Rebecca Levesque (2021-06-01). "21st Century Software Technologies, Inc. Enters Agreement to License z/VSE Operating System and Middleware Stack From IBM". 21st Century Software. Retrieved 2022-06-09.