Ask HN: Why is there so little info on the web about IBM mainframe programming?
There is an emulator for running mainframe code called Hercules. It comes with no software, so you'll need to acquire compilers & database apps separately.The equivalent from IBM is called "IBM Z Development and Test Environment" and the license for that costs $5,540 per user per year. There was (maybe still is?) a "learners edition" that you have to contact them to "see if you qualify" and it is a far more reasonable $120/year (there are no links on IBM Marketplace to even try to order it). This includes several compilers and 3 databases: CICS, DB2 & IMS.IBM has a very different model for supporting developers than Microsoft does with MSDN.Links:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(emulator)http://www.hercules-390.org/https://www.ibm.com/products/z-development-test-environment/...https://ibm.github.io/zdt-learners-edition-about/https://old.reddit.com/r/mainframe/Ballmer being excited:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNy2zBG79zU