The Computer Spectrum: A Perspective on the Evolution of Computing
Abstract
A report from the IEEE Scientific Supercomputer Subcommittee traces and analyzes the evolution of computer classes and offers near-term projections. It examines business and scientific computers, the emergence of new classes, the supercomputer and the minicomputer, the evolution of the supercomputer, the emergence of the minisupercomputer, and the personal computer and the applications workstation. It provides a historical analysis of these trends and discusses the lack of comparable software developments.
References
[1]
1. Alvin Toffler, Future Shock, Random House, New York, 1970.
[2]
2. The internal struggles within IBM that preceded the decision to commit to the System 360 as a single product line were enormous. The story is well documented; see, for example, E.W. Pugh, Memories That Shaped an Industry, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1984, and articles in Fortune , Sept. 1966, p. 118, and Oct. 1966, p. 140.
[3]
3. G.M. Amdahl, G.A. Blaauw, and F.P. Brooks, Jr., "Architecture of the IBM System/360," IBM J. Research and Development , Vol. 8, No. 2, Apr. 1964, pp. 87-101.
[4]
4. G.M. Amdahl et al., "The Structure of System/360," IBM Systems J., Vol. 3, Nos. 2 and 3, 1964, pp. 119-261.
[5]
5. B.O. Evans, "System/360: A Retrospective View," Annals History of Computing, Vol. 8, No. 2, Apr. 1986, pp. 155-179.
[6]
6. Programmed Data Processor-1 Handbook, Digital Equipment Corp., Maynard, Mass., 1960.
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7. IBM 650 DP Systems Bulletin, "General Information, Console Operations, and Special Devices," G24-5000-0, IBM, 1958.
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8. J.P. Riganati and P.B. Schneck, "Supercomputing," Computer, Vol. 17, No. 10, Oct. 1984, pp. 97-113.
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9. Control Data STAR-100 Computer, Control Data Corp., St. Paul, Minn., 1970.
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10. S.R. Cray, Jr., "Computer Vector Register Processing," United States Patent, No. 4,128,880, 1978.
[11]
11. G.H. Barnes et al., "The Illiac IV Computer," IEEE Trans. Computers, Vol. C-17, No. 8, Aug. 1968, pp. 746-757.
[12]
12. W.J. Bouknight et al., "The Illiac IV System," Proc. IEEE, Vol. 60, No. 4, Apr. 1972, pp. 369-388.
[13]
13. Illiac IV Systems Characteristics and Programming Manual, Burroughs, 1972.
[14]
14. R.W. Hockney and C.R. Jesshope, Parallel Computers 2, Adam Hilger, Bristol, England, 1988.
[15]
15. For a recounting of the early personal computer story, see, for example, E.M. Rogers and J.K. Larsen, Silicon Valley Fever , Basic Books, New York, 1984, or P. Freiberger and M. Swaine, Fire in the Valley , Osborne/McGraw-Hill, Berkeley, Calif., 1984.
[16]
16. IEEE Scientific Supercomputer Subcommittee, "Software for Supercomputers," Computer, Vol. 21, No. 12, Dec. 1988, pp. 70-74.
[17]
1. IEEE Scientific Supercomputer Subcommittee, "Software for Supercomputers," Computer, Vol. 21, No. 12, Dec. 1988, pp. 70-74.
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- The Computer Spectrum: A Perspective on the Evolution of Computing
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Copyright © Copyright © 1989 IEEE. All Rights Reserved.
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IEEE Computer Society Press
Washington, DC, United States
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Published: 01 November 1989
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