Computer operator: Difference between revisions

The job of a Computer operator, as defined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics is to "monitor and control .. and respond to .. enter commands .. set controls on computer and peripheral devices... Excludes Data Entry."

The position has evolved from its beginnings in the punched card era.

A 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed that a major employer of those categorized as Computer Operator was "Postal Service (federal government)."

Monitor and control electronic computer and peripheral electronic data processing equipment to process business, scientific, engineering, and other data according to operating instructions. Monitor and respond to operating and error messages. May enter commands at a computer terminal and set controls on computer and peripheral devices. Excludes "Computer Occupations" (15-1100) and "Data Entry Keyers" (43-9021).

The top "States with the highest employment" for 2018 were: NY, TX, CA, NJ, FL.

Console operator

SAGE console, round CRT;

2+ decades before introduction of the IBM 3036 (IBM 303X offerings, which included a Dual-display console

Modern System operator consoles no longer include large numbers of lights, switches, or buttons

The 370/158 announcement said that
"the console used a CRT display,
a keyboard, and a light pen."
The 168's manual says "light pen is standard."

Peripherals operator

IBM 3330 Disk drive

IBM System/360 tape drives

open 9-track tape drive

Card reader operator

Since the rows were named 12, 11, 0, 1, 2, ... 9

the bottom of the card was called the Nine-edge, and

the top was called the Twelve-edge.

Depending on the type of card reader, either the "9-edge" or the "12-edge" was towards the operator inserting the cards - but the deck of cards was always placed face down.

The United States Army's wordings were:

• Load cards in hopper face down, 12 edge out, column 1 to the left (1977)
• Place cards in hopper face down with 12 edge to operator (1981)

12 edge / face down : IBM orientation.

nine-edge (also face down) : some other card readers.

IBM 1402 high speed card reader and punch used in larger installations and typically run by an operator

IBM 1442 medium speed card reader and punch used on many smaller computers such as the IBM 1130

Tab operator

IBM 082 Card Sorter

The 1980 census specifically counted Tab operators ("Tabulating-machine operator").

stuff to add in

WTO write to operator console operator tape librarian peripherals operator: card reader, printers /*setup, HASP/ASP

slant> past/punched card era; 21st century?

from S/168 - apply as needed

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System console

The newly introduced IBM 3066 Model 2 System console

• included a light pen
• replaced "most switch, pushbutton, and indicator functions"

• as with the 165's Model 1, had a microfiche document viewer,<>the

online manual has an extra dot: "d.ocument"</ref> a feature introduced for the 360/85's console.

A console printer (up to 85 characters per second) to provide hard copy was optional when the console was in display mode, and required when it was in printer-keyboard mode.

holdovers - don't delete - work into above text

An IBM 1401 mainframe computer at Kiel municipality, 1965. Background: Computer operator replacing a tape.

A role in IT, computer operators oversee the running of computer systems, ensuring that the machines and computers are running properly.

The former role of a computer operator was to work with mainframe computers which required a great deal of management day-to-day including manually running batch jobs; however, now they often work with a variety of different systems and applications. The computer operator normally works in a server room or a data center, but can also work remotely so that they can operate systems across multiple sites. Most of their duties are taught on the job, as their job description will vary according to the systems and set-up they help manage.

The role also includes maintaining records and logging events, listing each backup that is run, each machine malfunction and program abnormal termination. Operators assist system administrators and programmers in testing and debugging of new systems and programs prior to their becoming production environments.

Modern-day computing has led to a greater proliferation of personal computers, with a rapid change from older mainframe systems to newer self-managing systems. This is reflected in the operator's role. Tasks may include managing the backup systems, cycling tapes or other media, filling and maintaining printers. Overall the operator fills in as a lower level system administrator or operations analyst. Most operations departments work 24x7.

A computer operator also has knowledge of disaster recovery and business continuity procedures. Formerly this would have meant sending physical data tapes offsite, but now the data is more than likely transmitted over computer networks.

A computer operator can work inside the home on the network editing domains and nets, or they can work on the road or as part of a company.