About My Summer Project
I landed an internship with the Broadcom Datacom team. The project that I worked on was to update the Automated Regression Test System that the development team uses. I focused on the requirements for SQL_Team and sought to make this space more consistent with the other areas. We accomplished this by converting the existing Java based tool to use an internal Python tool that simplifies the process of automating mainframe testing. In addition to this, we would also revamp some of the functions in the way that testing would work to make it more efficient, easier to configure and allow for multiple people to run regressions at the same time.
Learning Mainframe and Skills Through The Project:
While working on the project, I had to learn many things about how Mainframe programming worked and the tools that were needed to navigate the system. One of the tools that was indispensable to me was the VSCode extension called Zowe Explorer. This tool made the initial learning curve easy for accessing, executing and editing. Zowe Explorer gave me direct access to the datasets that I needed or the jobs that I had already submitted without me having to swim through learning all of the command lines to do the same in the Mainframe viewer.
One feature within the mainframe world that I learned about through this project was the idea of the Multi-User Facility (MUF). One of the goals for the project was to be able to run a regression test with any MUF that was given to it. Prior to the internship, I had never even heard of a MUF nor what the function of it was with regard to mainframe. However, as I started to work on the project and had received my own MUF to use for testing purposes, I soon realized that the MUF was the platform that allowed multiple people to work within the Mainframe space without interfering with each other. Additionally, the MUF is also considered the manager of the system and functionally acts as an operating system for the data. The application receives a request and determines how to process it. From which, the activities are coordinated to service the request.
During the development of the project, a skill that I had gained was the ability to look at the “bigger picture” when coding. Early in the project my mentors picked up that I was coding either too strictly or trying to bend the existing code to fit the needs of the project. This was something that I did not realize that I was doing, as I would sometimes forget that I can change the existing code and thus leading me to use unorthodox methods to get the job done. However, once my mentors pointed it out to me during code reviews, I started to recognize and correct that mistake. Additionally, if I had any questions about why something was wrong, or if I needed help with getting through the thought process of getting to the solution, they would be readily available to sit down and have that discussion. This hospitality would also extend to any of the other members of the Datacom team and truly helped me with attaining this skill and better expand my versatility when coding.
Summary:
In conclusion, my summer internship with the Broadcom Datacom team in 2023 was an invaluable learning experience. The project focused on updating the Automated Regression Test System to align with other Datacom products and cater to the SQL_ team's requirements. Throughout this project, I acquired a deep understanding of Mainframe programming and essential tools like the Zowe Explorer VSCode extension, which significantly eased the learning curve and improved productivity. Moreover, I discovered the concept of the Multi-User Facility (MUF) and its role in enabling seamless collaboration within the Mainframe space. Throughout the development process, I honed my coding skills and learned to consider the "bigger picture" while avoiding rigid approaches or unorthodox methods. The guidance and support from my mentors and the Datacom team were instrumental in this growth, fostering a hospitable environment that encouraged open discussions and problem-solving. Thus, the internship not only enhanced my technical expertise but also taught me valuable lessons in teamwork and adaptability, laying a strong foundation for my future endeavors in the field of software development and the Mainframe concepts.