IBM Mainframe Forum

[bazzigar]

Hello,

Why the mainframe console messages and logs with black background? Is there any specific reason for it?

Thanks,

[Akatsukami]

Because they are emulating genuine CRTs.

[bazzigar]

Because they are emulating genuine CRTs.

Why they can't go for any GUI screen layout?

[Akatsukami]

Because they are emulating genuine CRTs.

Why they can't go for any GUI screen layout?

Because they are emulating genuine 327x terminals, with genuine CRTs, with genuine CLIs, attached to a system that does not waste 90% of its cycles providing a GUI for the intellectually challenged.

[enrico-sorichetti]

all depends on the 3270 emulator configuration
or the real 3270 hardware being used
ibm 3270 green on black
itm 3290 (plasma screen) red on black

other hardware clones had slightly different color combinations
ericsson for example ( ergonomic and sight considerations )
were ( IIRC )orange/reddish on black/reddish

Why they can't go for any GUI screen layout?

beacause zOS would not be zOS any longer but zWINDOZE

[steve-myers]

Hello,

Why the mainframe console messages and logs with black background? Is there any specific reason for it?

Thanks,

That's actually a very good question. One of the original supported non-impact printer operator consoles was the 2250, which was a true monochrome GUI console, but as an operator console displayed white letters on a black background. At one time there was an operator console - I don't recall its model number, but it was part of the 3270 family - that was not a CRT, it was some sort of early flat panel display, though the technology didn't seem to go anywhere - that displayed red (that was the only color) letters on a white (that was the only option) background. Some of the 3270 family consoles can display multiple colors, but as an operator console just display colored letters against a black background. Some 3270 family consoles are impact printers that are sometimes used as log, but they just display black on (presumably) white paper.