HP

Enhanced Definition

HP, commonly known as Hewlett Packard, is a technology company primarily associated with personal computers, printers, and enterprise server solutions outside of the IBM mainframe space. The acronym "HP" also refers to horsepower, a generic unit of power. Neither of these meanings has a direct, specific, or widely recognized technical definition or usage within the IBM mainframe (z/OS, COBOL, JCL) ecosystem.

Key Characteristics

- Not a mainframe-specific term: "HP" does not refer to a component, software, metric, or concept inherent to IBM z/OS, its operating environment, or its core programming languages like COBOL or JCL.
- External vendor: Hewlett Packard is a distinct technology vendor that operates in different market segments compared to IBM's mainframe offerings.
- Generic unit of power: "Horsepower" is a general physics term and is not used as a performance metric or technical specification for mainframe hardware or software. Mainframe performance is typically measured in MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second), MSU (Millions of Service Units), or IFL (Integrated Facility for Linux) capacity.
- No functional role: "HP" does not identify a specific function, subsystem, utility, or architectural element within the z/OS operating system.

Use Cases

- No direct mainframe use cases: There are no standard scenarios where "HP" (as Hewlett Packard or horsepower) is directly referenced or utilized within z/OS system programming, application development, or operations.
- Indirect vendor interaction (rare): A mainframe shop might use Hewlett Packard printers for output from z/OS applications, but "HP" itself isn't a z/OS concept or a term used in JCL or COBOL.
- General computing context only: Any reference to "HP" in a broader IT discussion might relate to non-mainframe hardware or general power calculations, not specific z/OS technologies.

Related Concepts

"HP" stands largely isolated from core mainframe concepts. Unlike terms such as CICS, DB2, JCL, or VSAM, which are integral to the z/OS environment, "HP" does not define a subsystem, a programming language element, a data access method, or a performance metric within the IBM mainframe context. Its relevance is external, pertaining to other computing platforms or general engineering, rather than the specialized world of z/OS.

Best Practices:

Avoid using "HP" in mainframe-specific documentation: To prevent confusion, use precise mainframe terminology when discussing z/OS systems, components, or metrics.
Clarify context if "HP" is used: If "HP" must be mentioned (e.g., referring to a non-mainframe vendor or a general power unit), always clarify its meaning and ensure it's understood as external to the mainframe environment.
Focus on mainframe-native metrics: When discussing performance, use z/OS-specific metrics like MIPS, MSU, CPU utilization, I/O rates, or transaction response times instead of generic terms.
Prioritize IBM terminology: When describing mainframe systems, always use the official IBM product names and terminology to maintain clarity and accuracy.