# IBM i

> Single-level store operating system that runs on IBM Power Systems

**Wikidata**: [Q15637561](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15637561)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_i)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ibm-i

## Summary
IBM i is a proprietary single-level store operating system developed by IBM that runs on IBM Power Systems. Launched in 1988, it is a specialized platform for business computing and IT service management, previously known by aliases such as OS/400 and i5/OS.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** IBM (American multinational technology corporation founded in 1911)
- **Inception:** 1988
- **Classification:** Proprietary operating system
- **Hardware Platform:** IBM Power Systems
- **Primary Scripting Language:** Control Language (CL)
- **Architectural Standards:** Runs on IBM Systems Application Architecture (SAA), established in 1987
- **Aliases:** OS/400, i5/OS
- **Preceded by:** I5 OS
- **Primary Language:** English

## FAQs
### Q: What hardware is required to run IBM i?
A: IBM i is designed specifically to run on IBM Power Systems hardware. It is a proprietary environment where the operating system and hardware platform are closely integrated.

### Q: What are the previous names for IBM i?
A: IBM i has been known by several names since its inception, most notably OS/400 and i5/OS. It was also preceded by the I5 OS platform.

### Q: What is the primary scripting language for IBM i?
A: The operating system utilizes Control Language (CL), which is a dedicated scripting language for IBM operating systems.

### Q: When was IBM i first introduced?
A: The operating system had its inception in 1988. It was developed by IBM as part of its broader involvement in the computer and software industries.

## Why It Matters
IBM i is a foundational technology in the enterprise computing landscape, distinguished by its unique single-level store architecture. Developed by IBM—a corporation with over a century of history in the technology sector—the platform provides a stable and integrated environment for high-stakes business applications. Its significance lies in its longevity and evolution; since its 1988 inception, it has maintained relevance through multiple hardware transitions and rebrandings (from OS/400 to i5/OS and finally IBM i). By adhering to the IBM Systems Application Architecture (SAA) standards, it offers a consistent framework for IT service management, making it a critical component for organizations that rely on IBM Power Systems for their core infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **Single-Level Store Architecture:** A unique operating system design that manages memory and storage as a single address space.
- **Proprietary Integration:** Deeply integrated with IBM Power Systems hardware and the Control Language (CL) scripting environment.
- **Standardized Framework:** Built to run on the IBM Systems Application Architecture (SAA), a set of standards established in 1987.
- **Long-Term Lineage:** Maintains a continuous development path from its 1988 launch through its various iterations as OS/400 and i5/OS.

## Body
### Development and History
IBM i is a proprietary operating system created by IBM, an American multinational technology corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York. The system's inception occurred in 1988, positioning it as a long-standing solution within the computer and software industry. Throughout its history, the platform has undergone several name changes, being widely recognized by the aliases OS/400 and i5/OS.

### Technical Specifications
The operating system is characterized by its single-level store architecture. It is designed to run exclusively on IBM Power Systems hardware. Technical operations within the system are often managed via Control Language (CL), a specialized scripting language. Additionally, IBM i is built to comply with the IBM Systems Application Architecture (SAA), which was introduced in 1987 to provide a standardized set of rules for computer software.

### Ecosystem and Classification
As a proprietary operating system, IBM i is part of a closed ecosystem managed by IBM. It is primarily used for IT service management and enterprise-level software applications. The system is documented in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Japanese, reflecting its global use in the technology sector. It follows the I5 OS in IBM's lineage of operating system developments.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "IBM i",
  "description": "Single-level store operating system that runs on IBM Power Systems",
  "url": "https://www.ibm.com/it-infrastructure/power/os/ibm-i",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1653130"],
  "additionalType": "Proprietary operating system"
}