Jump to content

IBM Systems Application Architecture

From Alfawiki
Systems Application Architecture
Company typeSoftware architecture/standards
IndustryComputer software
Founded1987
FounderEarl Wheeler
ProductsCommon Programming Interface, Common User Access, Common Communications Services, OfficeVision, AD/Cycle

Systems Application Architecture (SAA), launched in 1987, represents a collection of software standards crafted by IBM under the guidance of Earl Wheeler, often referred to as the "Father of SAA". The project focused on implementing SAA across various IBM operating systems such as MVS, OS/400, and OS/2. Although IBM's UNIX variant, AIX, was not directly targeted, it maintained compatibility with SAA environments.

Instead of developing entirely new standards, SAA unified IBM’s pre-existing software guidelines and products. Additionally, IBM incorporated third-party applications from firms like Bachman Information Systems, Index Technology, Inc., and KnowledgeWare, Inc. to guarantee consistent deployment across platforms adhering to SAA.

The primary goal of SAA was to harmonize application functionality and user interface across IBM’s personal computers, midrange machines, and System/370 mainframes, thereby promoting uniformity across different hardware.

Despite its ambitious goals, SAA was often described as "complex, obscure, and potentially difficult to learn." Under the leadership of CEO Lou Gerstner, the term "SAA" was gradually retired, and by 2001 it had become largely a historical reference. Nevertheless, many components of SAA were still in active use as recently as 2014.

Common programming interface (CPI)

The Common Programming Interface was developed to standardize compilers and application programming interfaces across all systems compliant with SAA, allowing software created for one IBM platform to operate on others seamlessly. CPI included:[1]

Common user access (CUA)

Common User Access sought to create a uniform user experience across IBM’s product line so that users would encounter consistent menus, keyboard layouts, and operational procedures from personal computers to 3270 terminals.[3]

Given the hardware diversity, IBM established two CUA variants: the Basic Interface tailored for IBM 3270 and IBM 5250 terminals, and the Advanced Interface designed for PCs ("intelligent workstations"). The keyboard layout was standardized to the Model M 101-key "AT Enhanced" design.[1]

Common Communications Services (CCS)

Common Communications Services defined the protocols for interaction among diverse systems by utilizing IBM's Advanced Program-to-Program Communication (APPC or LU6.2), Systems Network Architecture (SNA) PU2.1—referred to as "Low Entry Networking"—to enable peer-to-peer connections, along with SNA Management Services for overseeing network operations.

The data link protocols supported encompassed:

Application Services provided included:

Common Applications

OfficeVision replaced both PROFS and AS/400 Office, establishing itself as the SAA-compliant platform for office automation solutions. The AD/Cycle suite of development tools was introduced to facilitate efficient development of applications adhering to SAA standards.

Further reading

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Linnell
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Perna
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=IBM_Systems_Application_Architecture&oldid=28664"