But sales of mainframe software were also strong during the quarter, growing 36 percent from a year earlier.

Even so, the results left some investors unimpressed because revenue growth from mainframe software dropped sharply in the quarter, analysts said.

He also holds Computer Associates, which writes mainframe software.

The company said that income was affected by reduced global demand for mainframe software and a softer market in Europe.

The mainframe software gained international popularity during its time, particularly in government statistical offices, but at a substantial number of other sites as well.

The mainframe software determines every function that can be done on the terminal.

It is known mostly for mainframe software rather than consumer products like Simply Money.

Computer Associates said quarterly profits jumped 86 percent on strong sales of its mainframe software.

Unicenter is an open systems equivalent to its current mainframe software for data centre management.

The disputes have arisen because mainframe software is licensed rather than sold, unlike the relatively inexpensive programs for personal computers.