IBM i is a robust, integrated operating system designed for IBM Power Systems hardware, renowned for its reliability, security, and backward compatibility in enterprise environments. Originally rooted in midrange computing platforms from the 1970s, it has evolved into a modern OS that supports cloud, AI, and DevOps while maintaining compatibility with applications dating back decades….
Frank Gerald Soltis, born in 1940, is an esteemed American computer scientist renowned for his pivotal role in shaping IBM’s midrange computing systems. Often hailed as the “father of the AS/400,” Soltis’s career spanned over four decades at IBM, where he served as the Chief Scientist for the System i platform. His innovative architectural designs,…
The Technology Independent Machine Interface (TIMI) is a foundational component of the IBM i operating system architecture, originally introduced with the IBM AS/400 in 1988. It serves as an abstraction layer that decouples application software from the underlying hardware, enabling remarkable hardware independence and backward compatibility. TIMI allows programs compiled decades ago to run unmodified…
The IBM System/36 and the IBM AS/400 (Application System/400) are two of the most successful midrange computers in IBM’s history, but they represent very different eras and philosophies. The System/36 was the immediate predecessor in many markets, while the AS/400 was designed as its long-term successor.
The IBM AS/400, formally known as the Application System/400, represents a pivotal milestone in the evolution of midrange computing systems. Launched by IBM in June 1988 and made available in August of that year, this platform was engineered to consolidate and enhance the capabilities of its predecessors, including the System/36 and System/38, while introducing groundbreaking…
