This month, Planet Mainframe celebrates influential mainframers nominated by the community. The field benefits from their efforts in making the mainframe what it is today and working towards the mainframe of tomorrow.
Today we are featuring an early-mainframe historian and the author of the renowned “Wheeler Scheduler.”
Lynn Wheeler
Retired / Former Principal. Wheeler & Wheeler
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
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Lynn Wheeler has significantly shaped the world of mainframe computing, most notably through his enhancements to z/VM’s CP and CMS, including the creation of the “Wheeler Scheduler.” His pioneering work earned him a spot in the founding class of the Knights of VM, highlighting his influence in the mainframe community.
From his early days, Wheeler demonstrated a knack for optimization and innovation. Starting in construction to fund his college education, he quickly transitioned to computing, where he made a profound impact. By his sophomore year in college, Wheeler was rewriting critical components for the IBM 360/30 and later optimizing the OS/360 for enhanced performance. His contributions were pivotal in the early adoption and improvement of mainframe systems.
Wheeler’s expertise extends beyond technical innovations. He’s a key proponent of integrating modern technologies like AI and DevOps into mainframe systems, exemplified by his involvement in the Open Mainframe Project and the Zowe Chat project. His work not only showcases his technical prowess but also his vision for the future of mainframes in contemporary computing landscapes.
Renowned for his contributions to the mainframe ecosystem, Wheeler is also a respected voice at industry conferences and forums, where he shares his insights on mainframe modernization and the importance of maintaining the mainframe as a vital component of corporate IT infrastructure.
Lynn Wheeler’s journey from construction to mainframe computing exemplifies a career dedicated to innovation, community building, and the continuous evolution of technology.