Howard Rifkind <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote :- > If you were hiring a new z/VM systems programmer what would be the 5-10 most important questions you would ask the applicant?
Howard, I guess it really depends what you want to find out. If you accept that the person is already a z/VM systems programmer and is telling the truth then, I suspect, you will want to find the depth of knowledge. That, really, has to be related to the product set and applications that are important to you. If you are wanting to verify the applicant does have the basic knowledge that they say they have then I would suggest that you angle these to avoiding 'C**K-ups'. I have listed a few questions below but, beware, I went to an interview once where the guy (from an MVS background) felt he needed to ask me technical questions. To each one I had to reply 'The answer you are looking for is .... but, really, this is the answer..... '. Here are a few basic questions :- q: How do you safely update a program or static file on a running system without causing problems to applications using it? a: You rename the program or file just before putting the new one in place. Applications will continue to use the old file until they reaccess the disk it is on. q: What is the difference between linking a disk with mode W and mode M? a: Using mode W will link the disk if no-one else has it linked for READ. Using mode M will link the disk if no-one else has it linked for WRITE. q. How does linking a disk with mode MW function & what is the result - assuming you have authority to do the link? a: If someone else has the disk linked for WRITE then the M link will fail so the fallback mode (W) will be used and a write link will be established anyway. This should only be used on rare occasions where you know what you are doing (and almost never on a CMS formatted minidisk). q: With no special tools and only basic VM commands, what is the easiest way to see if another user is active? a: Give two CP IND USER commands a few seconds apart and compare the differences. I am sure there are a whole load more than that if I thought about it for a while but, really, any z/VM sysprog will know all these so it is really a question of deciding if you believe them. Far more telling might be issues like 'Why do you want to work in Dinosaur technology with little, or no, career path' - unless the candidate is already in their 60's, in which case it is obvious. Colin Allinson Amadeus Data Processing GmbH IMPORTANT - CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - This e-mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity shown above as addressees. It may contain information which is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure under applicable laws. If the reader of this transmission is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, printing, distribution, copying, disclosure or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by reply e-mail or using the address below and delete the message and any attachments from your system. Amadeus Data Processing GmbH Geschäftsführer: Eberhard Haag Sitz der Gesellschaft: Erding HR München 48 199 Berghamer Strasse 6 85435 Erding Germany
