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• IBM's 360 and Early 370 Systems

by Emerson W. Pugh, Lyle R. Johnson, and John H. Palmer

Return to History of IBM Mainframes, IBM System/360 Mainframe, IBM System/370 Mainframe, IBM Mainframes

“IBM's 360 and Early 370 Systems” by Emerson W. Pugh, Lyle R. Johnson, and John H. Palmer

Summarize this book in 20 paragraphs. List any other IT history books specifically about the IBM mainframe and early computing. Be sure to include lots of IBM acronym technical words, IBM technology technical words and IBM software names. Discuss the network protocols used. Include URL to documentation if available along with the Wikipedia URL. Include a discuss of the competition at the time. Put a section heading for each paragraph. You MUST put double square brackets around each computer buzzword or jargon or technical words. Answer in MediaWiki syntax.

Summarizing “IBM's 360 and Early 370 Systems” by Emerson W. Pugh, Lyle R. Johnson, and John H. Palmer in such detailed depth while adhering to the structure requested is a hypothetical exercise, as creating an original summary of this nature without directly referencing the book's content requires a broad overview based on known historical context. However, I can provide an informed outline that touches on the subjects likely covered in the book, the significance of IBM's System/360 and System/370, technical innovations, software, competition, and the broader impact on the computing industry, which reflects the book's themes and the era's technological advancements.

The IBM System/360, unveiled in 1964, marked a watershed in computing history, introducing a family of mainframes with compatible software and peripherals across different models. This compatibility was revolutionary, allowing customers to upgrade their systems without replacing their existing software and equipment, a concept known as forward compatibility.

The design philosophy behind the System/360 was to create a versatile and scalable family of computers that could address both commercial and scientific computing needs. This was achieved through innovative use of microprogramming and establishing a common instruction set across the series, a bold departure from the custom, task-specific designs that had typified earlier computers.

Significant technical breakthroughs accompanied the System/360's launch, including the use of solid-state memory, the standardization of the 8-bit byte, and the introduction of EBCDIC encoding. These innovations facilitated more reliable and efficient data processing, setting new industry standards.

OS/360, the primary operating system for the System/360, represented a major development effort. It was one of the first OSes designed to offer a comprehensive suite of software services (e.g., job control, file management, and I/O handling) across a range of computer models, although its development was fraught with challenges and delays.

The System/360's software ecosystem was vast, including programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, PL/I, and ALGOL. IBM software packages for business, scientific, and engineering applications allowed the System/360 to penetrate various market segments.

The System/360 model range was designed to cater to a wide array of computing needs, from the lower-end Model 20 to the high-performance Model 75. This range allowed IBM to serve businesses of all sizes and industries, promoting widespread adoption of its technology.

Advancements in storage and memory were critical to the System/360's success. Technologies such as the IBM 2314 disk storage unit and advancements in magnetic core memory provided the performance and capacity necessary for demanding computing environments.

Though in its infancy during the System/360 era, networking began to gain importance. IBM introduced Binary Synchronous Communications (BSC) protocol, laying the groundwork for future networking protocols like SNA (Systems Network Architecture) which would dominate in the subsequent System/370 generation.

The IBM System/370, introduced in 1970, built upon the success of the System/360. It added significant new features like virtual memory and integrated circuits, which expanded the mainframe's capabilities and efficiency.

The System/370 introduced monolithic integrated circuits, significantly improving performance and reliability over the System/360's discrete component and SLT (Solid Logic Technology) modules. This transition marked a significant leap forward in computing power and energy efficiency.

IBM faced significant competition from the so-called “Seven Dwarfs” (e.g., Burroughs, UNIVAC, NCR, Control Data Corporation, Honeywell, GE, and RCA), and later from the “BUNCH” (Burroughs, UNIVAC, NCR, Control Data Corporation, and Honeywell) after GE and RCA exited the computer business. These competitors pushed IBM to continually innovate and improve its mainframe offerings.

The System/360 and System/370 series reshaped the computing industry, establishing standards for data formats, communication protocols, and system architecture that influenced subsequent generations of technology. They laid the groundwork for the modern computing era, emphasizing compatibility, scalability, and performance.

IBM's mainframes, particularly the System/360 and System/370, played a critical role in globalizing the computing industry. They were deployed worldwide, supporting everything from governmental operations to multinational corporations, thereby cementing IBM's position as a global technology leader.

Recognizing the complexity of these advanced systems, IBM invested heavily in

education and training programs for both its customers and employees. This initiative helped develop a skilled workforce capable of leveraging the full potential of IBM mainframes.

The long-term legacy of the System/360 and System/370 is evident in their lasting impact on the computing landscape. Many concepts introduced by these systems, such as standardized architecture and enterprise-level computing, remain relevant in today's technology ecosystem.

For those seeking detailed technical information and historical documentation on the System/360 and System/370, the IBM Archives and the s://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/360 Wikipedia page provide extensive resources. These resources offer insights into the development, operation, and impact of these landmark systems.

Other notable IT history books focusing on the IBM mainframe and early computing include “The IBM Century: Creating the IT Revolution” by Peter E. Greulich and “IBM: The Rise and Fall and Reinvention of a Global Icon” by James W. Cortada. These works provide further context and analysis of IBM's influence on the technology industry.

The System/360 and System/370 mainframes not only revolutionized IBM's product lineup but also had a profound impact on the computing industry at large, setting standards that influenced the development of future computing technologies. Their introduction marked the beginning of a new era in computing, characterized by standardization, reliability, and performance that shaped the direction of technology development for decades.

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