# z Application Assist Processor > processor **Wikidata**: [Q919217](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q919217) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_Application_Assist_Processor) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/z-application-assist-processor ## Summary The z Application Assist Processor (zAAP) is a specialized processor used in IBM System z mainframes to offload specific processing workloads. Functioning as an assist processor, it is designed to improve system efficiency by handling tasks separately from the general-purpose central processors. The technology was eventually superseded by the zIIP (System z Integrated Information Processor). ## Key Facts * **Full Name**: Also known as zAAP or System Z Application Assist Processor. * **Classification**: It is an instance of an "assist processor." * **Successor**: The zAAP was replaced by the zIIP (System z Integrated Information Processor). * **Primary Function**: It is a type of processor. * **Online Presence**: It maintains a Wikipedia page titled "Z Application Assist Processor" in both English and German. * **Historical ID**: Possesses a Freebase ID of `/m/04h67t`. * **Official Resource**: Information was historically available at `http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/z/hardware/features/zaap/`. ## FAQs ### Q: What does zAAP stand for? A: zAAP stands for z Application Assist Processor. It is also referred to as System Z Application Assist Processor. ### Q: What is the relationship between zAAP and zIIP? A: The zAAP (z Application Assist Processor) is the predecessor to the zIIP (System z Integrated Information Processor). The zAAP technology was replaced by the zIIP. ### Q: What type of processor is the zAAP? A: The zAAP is classified as an "assist processor." This indicates it is a specialized hardware unit designed to assist the main central processors by handling specific workloads. ## Why It Matters The z Application Assist Processor (zAAP) represents a significant architectural strategy in mainframe computing focused on workload optimization and cost management. Within the IBM System z ecosystem, general-purpose processors are powerful but expensive resources. The introduction of the zAAP as a specialized "assist processor" allowed enterprises to run specific applications—particularly Java and XML workloads—on dedicated hardware rather than consuming cycles on the general-purpose Central Processors (CPs). This distinction is crucial for IT infrastructure planning because software licensing costs on mainframes are often based on the capacity of general-purpose processors. By offloading eligible work to a zAAP, organizations could reduce the load on their standard CPs, thereby potentially lowering software licensing fees and improving the overall performance of the system for mixed workloads. The transition of this technology, marked by its replacement by the zIIP, underscores the ongoing evolution of specialized hardware in mainframe environments to adapt to modern computing demands while maintaining the efficiency and reliability associated with the platform. ## Notable For * **Specialized Offloading**: Distinguished by its role as a dedicated hardware engine for assisting with specific data processing tasks, separating them from general CPU work. * **Direct Lineage**: Notable for being the direct predecessor to the zIIP, marking a specific era in IBM mainframe processor evolution. * **System z Integration**: Specifically designed as a feature within the IBM System z hardware family. * **Cost Efficiency**: Historically significant for providing a mechanism to run specific workloads on lower-cost specialized processors to manage total cost of ownership. ## Body ### Technical Identity The **z Application Assist Processor** (zAAP) is a hardware component classified as a **processor**. It is explicitly categorized as an **assist processor**, a class of hardware designed to execute specific instructions or workloads independently of the system's primary central processors. ### Nomenclature and Aliases The entity is referenced by several names and identifiers across technical documentation and knowledge bases: * **Aliases**: zAAP, System Z Application Assist Processor. * **Knowledge Base IDs**: It holds the Freebase ID `/m/04h67t`. * **Encyclopedia Entries**: It is the subject of the Wikipedia article "Z Application Assist Processor," which is maintained in both English and German. ### Succession and Evolution The zAAP is a technology that has been succeeded by newer hardware implementations. According to structured data, the zAAP was **replaced by** the **zIIP** (System z Integrated Information Processor). This succession indicates that the functional role of the zAAP has been subsumed by the zIIP in later iterations of System z architecture. ### Information Resources Historical and technical details regarding the zAAP were officially hosted by IBM. The primary reference website cited for the processor is `http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/z/hardware/features/zaap/`. The entity has a sitelink count of 2, connecting it to related Wikipedia articles and the broader "assist processor" class.