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Migration from another UNIX platform to zSeries servers are the most common type of porting exercise. The focus here is in moving to the zSeries proprietary operating system, z/OS or OS/390. In particular, we propose strong usage of the UNIX System Services facilities of z/OS, as its UNIX branded runtime services provide the most accomodating porting environment. If there is interest in porting to Linux (OpenSource) as an alternative, we provide a good starting point in the list of URLs presented below. Provided below also is information for porting from other UNIX platforms, including some specific material geared for migrating applications from Sun Solaris. We also address the migration of Java applications to the zSeries platform. As Java is often more portable across platforms, many of the references below focus on porting C and C++ applications which may encounter more tricky issues. Our porting team has gathered together this set of resources to help you with porting from other UNIX platforms such as Solaris, HP-UX, and Compaq Tru64. The UNIX-oriented resources are also generally applicable to migration of C/C++ or Java applications on the Windows platform to zSeries servers. Many other reference books, other than those listed here, are available on the IBM Redbooks Web site. Also, please see the IBM Redbooks Portal for zSeries Web site.

We have divided up the resources into the following categories:

• General Porting Resources
  • Code samples, porting tools, and z/OS USS documentation
• Java
• Debugging and Performance Tuning

General Porting Resources

• Porting to z/OS UNIX - This IBM Web site is a good place to start for z/OS USS porting.
• Linux for zSeries and Linux for S/390 development resources - This IBM Web site is a good place to start for z/Linux porting.
• z/OS UNIX System Services Porting Guide
• Porting Services and Resources for zSeries
• Consolidating UNIX Systems onto OS/390 (SG24-2090-00), an IBM Redbook
• General z/OS UNIX Information- A set of presentations on UNIX System Services
• z/OS USS Public Forums - A subscription mailing list with UNIX System Services questions/answers
• z/OS UNIX System Services - The UNIX System Services Home Page
• Introduction to the IBM Application Development Tools on z/OS and OS/390 (SG24-6887-00), an IBM Redbook

  Code samples, porting tools and z/OS USS documentation

  • Sample Code for USS - See especially the async I/O example for server design
  • Ported Tools for z/OS USS - Includes application development tools, system management tools, and more
  • USS specific (non-portable) Tools application development tools, system management tools, and more
  • z/OS Language Environment - Important information of the runtime environment for C/C++ and Java Applications on z/OS.
  • OS/390 C/C++ Productivity Tools - Application development for C/C++ programmers working in the z/OS or OS/390 environment.
  • C/C++ compiler homepage and documentation - Contains general information and links to official documentation for C/C++.
  • z/OS USS Documentation - Contains general information and links to and official documentation for USS.
  • C/C++ Applications on z/OS and OS/390 UNIX - How to move applications written in C/C++ from other UNIX operating systems to z/OS UNIX System Services.

Java applications

Java applications promise cross platform portability, though there may be some platform-specific changes you may need or want to make in order to achieve optimal performance. IBM's core Java APIs are identical to those from Sun. We provide the following resources for Java applications, both general to all IBM eServer platforms and also specific to the zSeries platform (z/OS USS and Linux).

• developerWorks for Java main page
• Java Technology articles from developerWorks
• IBM JDK download (all platforms) - Also includes instructions on how to find and apply updates. The README with the JDKs provides extensive, up-to-date information.
• Sensible Sanitation -- Understanding the IBM Java Garbage Collector:
• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
This three-part article on garbage collection is a must-read for anyone doing advanced programming with Java on the IBM eServer platforms
• e-business Cookbook for z/OS Volume III: Java Development (SG24-5980-01) - This IBM Redbook is the third volume of a series entitled e-business Cookbook for z/OS. It is intended for Application Developers and Application Development Infrastructure Specialists who need to develop Web applications for z/OS using Java.
• Details on the IBM Java-compatible SDKs
• RMI-IIOP in the enterprise: An introduction to running RMI over IIOP - Contains an example that demonstrates IBM-specific code.
• Java technology, threads, and scheduling in Linux: Patching the kernel scheduler for better Java performance
• Guidelines for using the Java 2 reference classes: Learn to effectively use SoftReference, WeakReference, and PhantomReference

Application Servers and Debugging/Analysis tools for Java (z/OS, Linux, and other platforms):

• Application Servers
• IBM WebSphere Developer Domain
• IBM z/OS WebSphere Roadmaps for Business Aanlysts, System adminsistration, and Application Programmers.
• BEA Weblogic's supported releases for z/OS and OS/390
• BEA Weblogic's supported releases for zSeries Linux
• Debugging and Analysis tools for Java
• Quest Software JProbe - Available for the mainframe - Linux ansd z/OS
• Jikes - An open-source Java compiler from IBM
• List of Java tools - Includes links for: ant, Borland's JBuilder, JEdit, JRun, Log4j, Jakarta's struts, Tomcat, Intrascope, and much more

Debugging and Performance Tuning

Here is a list of z/OS USS specific resources relating to debugging and tuning applications.

• z/OS UNIX Performance Tools
• z/OS UNIX Performance Presentations
• DBX debugger for z/OS USS
• Tuning targets for UNIX System Services
• Debugging on z/OS USS
• Debug Tool for z/OS and OS/390