Mainframe Lingo Trivia

MIPS, CPUs, CRT, VTAM….the world of mainframes is absolutely notorious for the obscure lingo. A conversation between two mainframers talking mainframe-speak is sure to be entirely impenetrable to an outsider. It could be seen as a barrier (it probably is a barrier for many) but it sure speeds things up when you can say “VTAM” instead of “virtual telecommunications access method.”

Our trivia challenge for this week will be a breeze if you’re a mainframe veteran, but for those that are brand new to the world of mainframes, here’s a chance to brush up on some basic mainframe jargon.

1. MIPS

 Millions of Instructions Per Second

 Millions of Interactions Per Second

 Multitudes of Iterations Per Second

 None of the above

2. A mainframe’s CPU is a complex set of electronic circuitry that runs the machine’s operating system and apps. What does CPU stand for?

 Central Processing Unit

 Computing Processing Unit

 Controlling Processing Unit

 Capacity Processing Unit

3. Mainframes used to be synonymous with the old CRT monitor or green screen terminal. What does CRT stand for?

 Cathode Ray Tube

 Computing Ray Tube

 Cascade Ray Tube

 Cathode Rainbow Tube

4. What is the term for “abnormal end”?

 Abend

 Abnond

 AE

 AET

5. A portion of storage used to hold input or output data temporarily is called a:

 Buffer

 Binder

 Cache

 Assembler

6. A directory of data sets, with reference to their locations is called a:

 Catalog

 Data set

 Compiler

 Cluster

7. COBOL stands for:

 Common Business Operational Language

 Computer Business Oriented Language

 Computer Basic Operational Language

 Common Business Oriented Language

8. A unit of work for an operating system is called:

 A job

 A module

 A set

 A logical partition

9. PDS stands for:

 Partitioned Data Set

 Public Data Set

 Parallel Data Set

 Public Display of Science

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