20 Feb
2012
20 Feb
'12
2:32 a.m.
On Sun, 19 Feb 2012, Jim Brain wrote:
At least in contemporary IT environments, a mainframe
is defined as a
machine that will natively execute 370 assembler. Thus, Hitachi and IBM
manufacture mainframes. I know that's not a good definition, but it's
pretty common.
It's a good EXAMPLE, but . . .
1) It is NOT a definition
2) There exist mainframes that do NOT execute 370 assembler.
(IBM shops may deny that, but it IS true.)
3) There exist NON-mainframes that DO execute 370 assembler.
(add-on boards for 5160, do NOT change an XT into a mainframe.)
If a microcomputer FALLS on you, you may be injured.
If a minicomputer falls on you, you may be killed.
If a mainframe falls on you, they may not find the body.
are also examples (of differentiation)
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com