An IBM 370 BC mode simulator for a first course in operating systems

Abstract

An IBM 370 basic control mode simulator was developed as an outgrowth of student projects in an operating systems course over several semesters. The programming was performed in Assembler language to enhance performance and allow for online symbolic access to simulated hardware components.The design of the simulator along with the organization of a typical instruction interpretation subroutine is described. A simple program execution using the IBM TSO facility is included to illustrate the manner in which students interact with the system. Finally the design for a typical operating system undertaken as a team project is presented.