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{{Short description|Person who oversees the running of computer systems}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
[[File:Computer Operator - 1992 - BLS.png|thumb|Computer operator at work with mainframe computers. (1992)]]

A '''computer operator''' is a role in [[IT]] which oversees the running of computer systems, ensuring that the machines, and computers are running properly.<ref name=USPS.BLS>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes439011.htm
|title=Computer Operators
|work=[[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |access-date=August 2, 2017}}</ref> The job of a computer operator as defined by the [[United States]] [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] is to "monitor and control ... and respond to ... enter commands ... set controls on computer and peripheral devices. This Excludes Data Entry."<ref name="BLS.gov">{{cite web
|url=https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes439011.htm
|title=Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2018: 43-9011 Computer Operators
|publisher=Bureau of Labor Statistics}}</ref>

==Overview==
The position has evolved from its beginnings in [[Computer programming in the punched card era|the punched card era]]. A Bureau of Labor Statistics report published in 2018 showed that, in the [[public sector]], a major employer of those categorized as ''Computer Operator'' was [[United States Postal Service]]. In the [[private sector]], companies involved in [[data processing]], [[Internet hosting service|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 (state)|New York]], [[Texas]], [[California]], [[New Jersey]], and [[Florida]].<ref name=USPS.BLS/>

==Job role description==
The former role of a computer operator was to work with [[mainframe computer]]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]], but can also work [[Remote computer|remotely]] so that they can operate systems across multiple sites. Most of their duties are taught on the job,{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} 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|Computer Occupations]]" (15-1100) and "[[Data entry|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]]s and [[programmer]]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-management (computer science)|self-managing]] systems. This is reflected in the operator's role. Tasks may include managing the [[Object storage device|backup systems]], cycling [[Computer media|tapes or other media]], filling and maintaining [[Computer printer|printers]]. 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 [[IT disaster recovery|disaster recovery]] and [[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]] or a multi-user system's console
* entering system commands via a [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]]{{efn|Possibly with a pointing device, e.g., [[light pen]], [[Computer mouse|mouse]]|name=point}}
* entering commands for a subsystem, e.g., [[Houston Automatic Spooling Priority#Operator Commands|HASP]], via a keyboard{{efn|name=point}}
* replying to requests for information{{EFN|Write-to-operator (WTO) / WTOR {{=}} with Reply}}
* taking actions such as mounting computer tapes that were "pulled" by a [[#Tape librarian|tape librarian]]
* supervising a tape operator, especially when there is a [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSLTBW_2.2.0/com.ibm.zos.v2r2.idarm00/opmoun.htm non-specific mount request].{{EFN|such as for a blank tape}}

These individuals would be trained to use specialized equipment related to their duties.
{{clear}}

===Beyond the IBM System/360 era===
One example of specific hardware used by a console operator is the [[IBM System/370 Model 168|IBM 3066 Model 2]] [[system console]], which included a [[light pen]]{{cn|date=January 2021|reason=need source for light pen on 3066}} as an interface device. Other then-new features were:
* replaced "most switch, pushbutton, and indicator functions"{{EFN|Among the few retained: "system clear" and "cooling reset alarm"}}
* as with the 165's Model 1, had a microfiche document viewer, a feature introduced for the [[IBM System/360 Model 85|360/85]]'s console.{{EFN|the 360/85 article includes a photo of same.}}

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.{{cn|date=January 2021|reason=need source for printer-keyboard mode on 3066}}

===Peripherals operator===
A '''peripherals operator''' uses dedicated [[peripheral]] equipment connected to computer(s) such as printers, scanners, or storage devices for data transfer to and/or from computers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Work Processes Schedule |url=https://usmap.netc.navy.mil/usmapss/static/wps/wps.jsp?aimsParm=0817N |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017195352/https://usmap.netc.navy.mil/usmapss/static/wps/wps.jsp?aimsParm=0817N |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2016 |website=United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) |access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref>

====Tape operator====
[[File:Elektronische Datenverarbeitungsanlage IBM 1401 (Kiel 36.485).jpg|thumb|An [[IBM 1401]] mainframe computer at [[Kiel]] municipality, 1965. ''Background:'' Computer operator replacing a [[Magnetic tape data storage|tape]].]]
Historically, '''tape operators''' were in charge of swapping out reels of [[Punched paper tape|paper tape]], [[Magnetic tape data storage#Open reels|reels]] of [[Magnetic tape data storage|magnetic tape]] or magnetic tape [[Magnetic tape data storage#Cartridges and cassettes|cartridges]] that stored computer data or instructions.

====[[Card reader]] operator====
[[File:FortranCardPROJ039.agr.jpg|thumb|Since the rows were named 12, 11, 0, 1, 2, ... 9 the bottom of the card was called the ''Nine''-edge, and the top was called the ''Twelve''-edge.]]
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 ''<u>always</u>'' placed ''face down''.

The [[United States Army]]'s wordings were:
* Load cards in hopper face down, 12 edge out, column 1 to the left (1977)<ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9UWiqYseJ4sC
|title=Soldier's manual: digital subscriber terminal equipment repairman, MOS 34F, skill levels two and three
|publisher=Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Headquarters
|year=1977 }}</ref>
* Place cards in hopper face down with 12 edge to operator (1981)<ref>{{cite book
|title=MOS 72E: combat telecommunications center operator
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vzEmWzvRbbQC |date=1981}}</ref>
*: 12 edge / face down : IBM orientation.
* nine-edge (also face down) : some other card readers.
{{clear}}

====Printer operator====
In addition to filing or delivering computer printouts,<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED236974.pdf
|title=Computing in Higher Education: A Planning Perspective
|author=V Chachra |year=1982}}</ref> a '''printer operator''' at times loads standard or, as directed by a console operator or a remote console, specialized forms.

===Tab operator===
[[Image:Ibm407 tabulator 1961 01.redstone.jpg|thumb|upright|A 407 at [[U.S. Army]]'s [[Redstone Arsenal]] in 1961.]]
The '''tab operator''' (short for tabulating) would be responsible for preparing and operating tabulating machines to produce statistical results.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Richard |title=TABULATING MACHINE OPERATOR (400) |url=https://militaryyearbookproject.com/references/old-mos-codes/wwii-era/army-wwii-codes/administration/1435-tabulating-machine-operator-400 |website=militaryyearbookproject.com |access-date=11 June 2019 |language=en-gb}}</ref> Hardware such as the [[IBM card sorter|IBM 08x sorter series]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2021|reason=I've only heard, e.g., [[IBM 402]], [[IBM 407]], called tabulating equipment.}} were called tabulating equipment. The 1980 census specifically counted ''Tab operators'' ("[[Tabulating machine|Tabulating-machine]] operator").<ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wNxpTUGEWFgC
|title=1980 Census of Population: Classified Index of Industries
|publisher=United States. Bureau of the Census |date=1980}}</ref>

===Tape librarian===
A '''tape librarian''' is responsible for the management, storage, and reporting involving [[Magnetic tape data storage|data storage tapes]]. The tape librarian would develop and/or maintain an organization system for the storage and retrieval of tapes,<ref>{{cite web
|author1=Bruce Carrell |author2=D. Boyer |title=Information Systems
|url=https://mis.umsl.edu/files/pdfs/ITCareers.pdf
|quote=The tape librarian records the location of all tapes that are created}}</ref> and assist in [[IT disaster recovery|disaster recovery]]. Additionally, the librarian would ensure the integrity of the tapes, and submit recommendations for replacement when needed.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Tape Librarian
|url=http://www.westchestergov.com/hr/jobspecs/cjs/county/T/TAPELIBRARIAN.pdf
|website=Westchester County Government |access-date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> Some examples of equipment a tape librarian may work with are the [[IBM 3850]].

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:IBM 7094 console2.agr.JPG|Modern System operator [[System console|consoles]] no longer include large numbers of lights, switches, or buttons
File:HypertextEditingSystemConsoleBrownUniv1969.jpg|The [[IBM System/370 Model 168|370/158]] announcement said that "the console used a CRT display, a keyboard, and a [[light pen]]."
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]] 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]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{wiktionary|system operator|position=left}}

* [[System administrator|System administration]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Computer Operator}}
[[Category:Computer occupations]]

Computer operator - Revision history

imported>GreenC bot: Rescued 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:URLREQ#navy.mil