Computer technology: State of the art

Frederic G. Withington

Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 1981, vol. 32, issue 2, 124-130

Abstract: This article describes the nature of modern general‐purpose computer systems. First it describes their hardware. The state of the semiconductor electronics art is discussed, with emphasis on the trend to microprocessors and large‐scale memory chips. Then the various computer architectures in use are presented, showing the influence of electronic component evolution on the trend from processor‐centered designs through storage‐centered and multiprocessor designs to bus‐oriented ones. After a brief discussion of input‐output technology the article turns to system control programs, in many ways the most important aspect of computer systems as perceived by the user. Brief definitions and functional descriptions are provided of operating systems, program writing aids, database management systems, communications control programs, and utility programs.

Date: 1981
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:jamest:v:32:y:1981:i:2:p:124-130

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