This paper describes a PC-based mainframe computer emulatorcalled VisibleZ and its use in teaching mainframe Computer Organizationand Assembly Programming classes.VisibleZ models IBM’s z/Architectureand allows direct interpretation of mainframe assembly language objectcode in a graphical user interface environment that was developed in Java.The VisibleZ emulator acts as an interactive visualization tool to simulateenterprise computer architecture. The provided architectural componentsinclude main storage, CPU, registers, Program Status Word (PSW), andI/O Channels. Particular attention is given to providing visual clues tothe user by color-coding screen components, machine instruction execution,and animation of the machine architecture components.Students interact with VisibleZ by executing machine instructions in a step-by-stepmode, simultaneously observing the contents of memory, registers, and changes inthe PSW during the fetch-decode-execute machine instruction cycle. Theobject-oriented design and implementation of VisibleZ allows students todevelop their own instruction semantics by coding Java for existing specificz/Architecture machine instructions or design and implement new machineinstructions.The use of VisibleZ in lectures, labs, and assignments is describedin the paper and supported by a website that hosts an extensivecollection of related materials. VisibleZ has been proven a useful tool inmainframe Assembly Language Programming and Computer Organizationclasses. Using VisibleZ, students develop a better understanding ofmainframe concepts, components, and how the mainframe computer works.ACM Computing Classification System (1998): C.0, K.3.2.
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