MVs

MVS, or Multiple Virtual Storage, is a family of IBM mainframe operating systems for System/360 and later System/370 computers. Introduced in the 1970s as part of the OS/360 lineage, MVS provided virtual storage to offer larger address spaces and improved reliability, security, and scalability for batch, online transaction processing, and data management workloads.

Over time the MVS line evolved through releases such as MVS/SE (System Extensions) and MVS/ESA (Enterprise Systems Architecture). In the 1990s it was rebranded as OS/390, and in 2001 IBM introduced z/OS, which inherits the MVS architecture and remains the current flagship mainframe OS.

Key features include memory virtualization via virtual storage, support for batch and online processing, and a subsystem model with components for data management (VSAM), Job Control Language (JCL), security, and system logging.

Legacy and influence: The MVS lineage underpins modern z/OS, and the software ecosystem built around MVS-era interfaces and tools remains active on IBM Z hardware.