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A computer operator is a role in IT which oversees the running of computer systems, ensuring that the machines, and computers are running properly. The job of a computer operator as defined by the
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Bureau of Labor Statistics The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a unit of the United States Department of Labor. It is the principal fact-finding agency for the government of the United States, U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics, labor economics and ...
is to "monitor and control ... and respond to ... enter commands ... set controls on computer and peripheral devices. This Excludes Data Entry."


Overview

The position has evolved from its beginnings in the punched card era. A Bureau of Labor Statistics report published in 2018 showed that, in the
public sector The public sector, also called the state sector, is the part of the economy composed of both public services and public enterprises. Public sectors include the public goods and governmental services such as the military, law enforcement, pu ...
, a major employer of those categorized as ''Computer Operator'' was
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. In the
private sector The private sector is the part of the economy which is owned by private groups, usually as a means of establishment for profit or non profit, rather than being owned by the government. Employment The private sector employs most of the workfo ...
, companies involved in
data processing Data processing is the collection and manipulation of digital data to produce meaningful information. Data processing is a form of ''information processing'', which is the modification (processing) of information in any manner detectable by an o ...
, hosting, or related services employed computer operators at an even higher rate. The states with the highest employment for computer operators, as of 2018, are: New York,
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,
California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
,
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, and
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.


Job role description

The former role of a computer operator was to work with
mainframe computer A mainframe computer, informally called a mainframe or big iron, is a computer used primarily by large organizations for critical applications like bulk data processing for tasks such as censuses, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise ...
s which required a great deal of management day-to-day including manually running batch jobs; however, now they often work with a variety of different systems and applications. The computer operator normally works in a server room or a
data center A data center is a building, a dedicated space within a building, or a group of buildings used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. Since IT operations are crucial for busines ...
, but can also work remotely so that they can operate systems across multiple sites. Most of their duties are taught on the job, as their job description will vary according to the systems they help to manage. Responsibilities of a computer operator may include: * Monitor and control electronic computer and peripheral electronic data processing equipment to process business, scientific, engineering, and other data according to operating instructions. * Monitor and respond to operating and error messages. * May enter commands at a computer terminal and set controls on computer and peripheral devices. * Excludes " Computer Occupations" (15-1100) and " Data Entry Keyers" (43-9021). The role also includes maintaining records and logging events, listing each backup that is run, each machine malfunction and program abnormal termination. Operators assist
system administrator An IT administrator, system administrator, sysadmin, or admin is a person who is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially multi-user computers, such as Server (computing), servers. The ...
s and
programmer A programmer, computer programmer or coder is an author of computer source code someone with skill in computer programming. The professional titles Software development, ''software developer'' and Software engineering, ''software engineer' ...
s in testing and debugging of new systems and programs prior to their becoming production environments. Modern-day computing has led to a greater proliferation of personal computers, with a rapid change from older mainframe systems to newer self-managing systems. This is reflected in the operator's role. Tasks may include managing the backup systems, cycling tapes or other media, filling and maintaining
printers Printer may refer to: Technology * Printer (publishing), a person * Printer (computing), a hardware device * Optical printer for motion picture films People * Nariman Printer (fl. c. 1940), Indian journalist and activist * James Printer (1 ...
. Overall the operator fills in as a lower level system administrator or operations analyst. Most operations departments work 24x7. A computer operator also has knowledge of
disaster recovery IT disaster recovery (also, simply disaster recovery (DR)) is the process of maintaining or reestablishing vital infrastructure and systems following a natural or human-induced disaster, such as a storm or battle. DR employs policies, tools, ...
and
business continuity Business continuity may be defined as "the capability of an organization to continue the delivery of products or services at pre-defined acceptable levels following a disruptive incident", and business continuity planning (or business continuity ...
procedures. Formerly, this would have meant sending physical data tapes offsite, but now the data is more than likely transmitted over computer networks.


Specializations


Console operator

A console operator interacts with a
front panel A front panel was used on early electronic computers to display and allow the alteration of the state of the machine's internal CPU register, registers and computer memory, memory. The front panel usually consisted of arrays of electric light, ...
or a multi-user system's console * entering system commands via a keyboard * entering commands for a subsystem, e.g., HASP, via a keyboard * replying to requests for information * taking actions such as mounting computer tapes that were "pulled" by a tape librarian * supervising a tape operator, especially when there is
non-specific mount request
These individuals would be trained to use specialized equipment related to their duties.


Beyond the IBM System/360 era

One example of specific hardware used by a console operator is the IBM 3066 Model 2
system console A computer terminal is an electronic or electromechanical computer hardware, hardware device that can be used for entering data into, and transcribing data from, a computer or a computing system. Most early computers only had a front panel to ...
, which included a
light pen A light pen is a computer input device in the form of a light-sensitive wand used in conjunction with a computer's cathode-ray tube (CRT) display. It allows the user to point to displayed objects or draw on the screen in a similar way to a to ...
as an interface device. Other then-new features were: * replaced "most switch, pushbutton, and indicator functions" * as with the 165's Model 1, had a microfiche document viewer, a feature introduced for the 360/85's console. A console printer (up to 85 characters per second) to provide hard copy was optional when the console was in display mode, and required when it was in printer-keyboard mode.


Peripherals operator

A peripherals operator uses dedicated
peripheral A peripheral device, or simply peripheral, is an auxiliary hardware device that a computer uses to transfer information externally. A peripheral is a hardware component that is accessible to and controlled by a computer but is not a core compo ...
equipment connected to computer(s) such as printers, scanners, or storage devices for data transfer to and/or from computers.


Tape operator

Historically, tape operators were in charge of swapping out reels of paper tape, reels of
magnetic tape Magnetic tape is a medium for magnetic storage made of a thin, magnetizable coating on a long, narrow strip of plastic film. It was developed in Germany in 1928, based on the earlier magnetic wire recording from Denmark. Devices that use magnetic ...
or magnetic tape cartridges that stored computer data or instructions.


Card reader operator

Depending on the type of card reader, either the "9-edge" or the "12-edge" was towards the card reader operator inserting the cards - but the ''deck'' of cards was ''always'' placed ''face down''. The
United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...
's wordings were: * Load cards in hopper face down, 12 edge out, column 1 to the left (1977) * Place cards in hopper face down with 12 edge to operator (1981) *: 12 edge / face down : IBM orientation. * nine-edge (also face down) : some other card readers.


Printer operator

In addition to filing or delivering computer printouts, a printer operator at times loads standard or, as directed by a console operator or a remote console, specialized forms.


Tab operator

The tab operator (short for tabulating) would be responsible for preparing and operating tabulating machines to produce statistical results. Hardware such as the IBM 08x sorter series were called tabulating equipment. The 1980 census specifically counted ''Tab operators'' (" Tabulating-machine operator").


Tape librarian

A tape librarian is responsible for the management, storage, and reporting involving data storage tapes. The tape librarian would develop and/or maintain an organization system for the storage and retrieval of tapes, and assist in
disaster recovery IT disaster recovery (also, simply disaster recovery (DR)) is the process of maintaining or reestablishing vital infrastructure and systems following a natural or human-induced disaster, such as a storm or battle. DR employs policies, tools, ...
. Additionally, the librarian would ensure the integrity of the tapes, and submit recommendations for replacement when needed. Some examples of equipment a tape librarian may work with are the IBM 3850.


Gallery

File:IBM 7094 console2.agr.JPG, Modern System operator consoles no longer include large numbers of lights, switches, or buttons File:HypertextEditingSystemConsoleBrownUniv1969.jpg, The 370/158 announcement said that "the console used a CRT display, a keyboard, and a
light pen A light pen is a computer input device in the form of a light-sensitive wand used in conjunction with a computer's cathode-ray tube (CRT) display. It allows the user to point to displayed objects or draw on the screen in a similar way to a to ...
." File:9-track-drive-open.jpg, Open 9-track tape drive File:IBM magnetic disk drives 3330+3333.png, IBM 3330 Disk drive File:IBM System 360 tape drives.jpg,
IBM System/360 The IBM System/360 (S/360) is a family of mainframe computer systems announced by IBM on April 7, 1964, and delivered between 1965 and 1978. System/360 was the first family of computers designed to cover both commercial and scientific applicati ...
tape drives File:IBM 1402 at CHM.jpg, IBM 1402 high speed card reader and punch used in larger installations and typically run by an operator File:IBM1442.corestore.jpg, IBM 1442 medium speed card reader and punch used on many smaller computers such as the IBM 1130


See also

*
System administration An IT administrator, system administrator, sysadmin, or admin is a person who is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially multi-user computers, such as servers. The system administr ...


Notes


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Computer Operator Computer occupations