Evolution of Mainframe and Personal Computing

Mainframe/PC Evolution The evolution of mainframe computing to personal computing began with the invention of the mainframe for businesses and government use. The Personal Computer (PC) evolved from companies wanting the same information from scaled down version of the mainframe and dumb terminal. Though they both consist of data storage, processors, input and output devices. However, they have their differences. Mainframes The mainframe was invented in the 1950’s. One of the first mainframes was the Univac 1, which was delivered to the Census Bureau in 1952.

It measured 25-feet by 50-feet and had a storage capacity of 1000 words or 12,000 characters (Lexikon Services, 1982). In the 1970s the mainframe changed with the development of UNIX operating system (Rogers, 2010). A mainframe according to Vaughan (n. d. ), “A mainframe is a continually evolving general purpose computing platform incorporating in it architectural definition the essential functionality required by its target applications" (par. 5). The Mainframe is a multi-user data storage and application computing system.

Mainframe systems can be a single mainframe unit or multiple mainframe units, depending on the number of users and uses, it is needed for. Information is entered in on a dumb terminal or workstation. The mainframe can be in the same room or in another room and even on a different floor. The mainframe is known for its reliability and why companies are willing to spend the half-a-million dollars or more for them. Mainframes have fast bus speeds, high cache speeds, error detection, and error correction (Rogers, 2010). Personal Computers One of the first computers to be considered a Personal Computer was the IBM PC in 1981.

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Others were invented from 1955. It consisted of a monitor, keyboard, and desktop base with diskette drives. It weighed 28 pounds. Companies were looking for a way to down-scale and cut the cost of the mainframe system. The Personal Computer, according to Whatis. com is a “microcomputer designed for use by one person at a time” (TechTarget, 2008, par. 1). In today’s terms it consist of a display unit, keyboard, mouse, tower or desktop that consists of a hard drive, memory, processors, mother board, and other hardware to carry out its functions as a microcomputer.

The cost of a Personal Computer has become affordable over the years for an individual to purchase for home use as well as company use. The use of a personal computer varies in that it is used for company business, home computing, gaming, and has other opportunities for an individual computing needs. The PC has changed the way people do business, pay their bills, entertain themselves, and communicate. The PC can process data, run programs and applications, become a database, and can be networked into other PC’s and mainframes.

The Personal Computer makes it easier for smaller companies to achieve what larger companies can do with mainframes. Pc’s can be networked together can share the same information, store information, and work efficiently. The hand held PC provides for computing mobility, which provides for more productivity. PC and Mainframe Comparison The mainframe is a large, reliable, multi-user computing system costing millions of dollars. If a mainframe has any downtime, the whole system and users cannot work. The PC is a small, affordable, and single user microcomputer that an individual can buy.

It can be used for business and home computing. It has similarities to the mainframe; display unit, keyboard, processor, memory, information storage, and operating systems. Contrasts “Mainframe operating systems are designed primarily to optimize utilization of hardware. Personal computer (PC) operating systems support complex games, business applications, and everything in between” (Silbershcatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2009). The mainframe is more costly than a PC. However, it is more reliable than the PC. The mainframe can process information much faster than a PC.

It also has faster bus speeds and higher cache speeds. The hardware in a mainframe has error detection and error correction for less downtime (Rogers, 2010). The PC is smaller, cheaper, and a single-user computer system. Its uses include home, business, and entertainment purposes. The PC system is can easily be moved by one person, the Mainframe system takes multiple people to move it. Conclusion The mainframe made way for the personal computer. In a large business setting a mainframe would be worth the price.

The PC is continuing to evolve and is becoming smaller and more evolved as technology advances. Even though they have their differences, each serves it purpose in today’s society. References Blinkenlights Archaeological Institute. (1999-2007). Pop Quiz: What was the first personal computer? Retrieved November 26, 2011from http://www. blinkenlights. com/pc. shtml Lexikon Services. (1982-2000). UNIVAC 1 (1951) First Commercially Available Computer. Retrieved November 26, 2011 from http://www. computermuseum. li/Testpage/UNIVAC-1-FullView-A. htm Rogers, S. (2010).

Comparison and Contrast Between Mainframes and PC's. Retrieved November 26, 2011 from http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/5884114/comparison_and_contrast_between_mainframes. html? cat=15 Silbershcatz, A. , Galvin, P. B. , & Gagne, G. (2009). Operating System Concepts (8th ed. ). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Inc. TechTarget. (2008). Whatis. com. Retrieved November 26, 2011 from http://whatis. techtarget. com/definition/0,,sid9_gci214279,00. html Vaughan, L. H. (n. d. ). What is a "Mainframe". Retrieved November 26, 2011 from http://www. mainframes. com/whatis. htm

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