Here are the show notes for Episode 22 “Great App-spectations”. The show is called this because we talk about app expections in our Topics topic.

Mainframe: PI99365 Two enhancements in z/OSMF Operator Consoles

1. Support for “sticking” WTOR and held messages on the top of the console area


2. Visible EMCS console name

• View WTOR and HOLD messages in a separate window


• Visible console name part


• Overall: These two function areas help you manage your z/OSMF operator consoles better.

Performance: Paging Subsystem Design in an age of Virtual Flash

Performance: Paging Subsystem Design in an age of Virtual Flash

• Question from customer about need for paging space if Flash installed , which was answered in Martin’s blog post, but there is more thinking about this.


• Look at the paging subsystem design in the round, with two flavours of Flash: FlashExpress (PCIE) and VFM


• Design standpoint ideally as if no Flash


• Paging subsystem design: Two main considerations:  Space and Performance


• Come together in “30% Contiguous Slot Allocation Algorithm breakdown” rule of thumb


• Instrumentation
  
  RMF SMF 71, also covers memory. Flash treated like ordinary paging device.
  
  RMF SMF 74-10 in OA50761
  
  


• Wrap up: Paging subsystem design still worthy of care, and establish whether risk of Flash or Virtual Flash warrants conservative configuration of paging subsystem.

Topics: Anatomy Of A Great App

“App” here means “third party software” but we’ll say app for short

• Highly biased on expectations in iOS, as Martin is a power user.


• Marna gave the Android perspective


• z/OS perspective was discussed.


• Conclusion: Think about more than just what your app is supposed to do. Nobody wants software whose function they like but they hate using. It is way too easy to uninstall an app (or have hundreds of them and not use them).
  
  Keep to the “Principle of least astonishment”.

Contacting Us

You can reach Marna on Twitter as mwalle and by email.

You can reach Martin on Twitter as martinpacker and by email and blogs at blog.