Access method: Difference between revisions

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{{refimprove|date=August 2012}}

An '''access method''' is a function of a [[mainframe computer|mainframe]] [[operating system]] that enables access to data on disk, tape or other external devices. They were introduced in 1963 in IBM [[OS/360]] operating system.<ref name=aus>[http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/journal/rd/255/auslander.pdf M. A. Auslander, D. C. Larkin, A. L. Scherr: "The Evolution of the MVS Operating System", pages 478-479] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119054653/http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/journal/rd/255/auslander.pdf |date=November 19, 2008 }}</ref> Access methods provide an [[API|application programming interface (API)]] for programmers to transfer data to or from device, and could be compared to [[device driver]]s in non-mainframe operating systems, but typically provide a greater level of functionality.

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{{See also|Input/Output Control System|Record-oriented filesystem|Record (computer science)}}

An '''access method''' is a function of a [[mainframe computer|mainframe]] [[operating system]] that enables access to data on disk, tape or other external devices. TheyAccess methods were present in several mainframe operating systems since the late 1950s, under a variety of names; the name ''access method'' was introduced in 1963 in the IBM [[OS/360]] operating system.<ref name=aus>[http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/journal/rd/255/auslander.pdf M. A. Auslander, D. C. Larkin, A. L. Scherr: "The Evolution of the MVS Operating System", pages 478-479] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119054653/http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/journal/rd/255/auslander.pdf |date=November 19, 2008 }}</ref> Access methods provide an [[API|application programming interface (API)]] for programmers to transfer data to or from device, and could be compared to [[device driver]]s in non-mainframe operating systems, but typically provide a greater level of functionality.

== Purpose of access methods ==